We have been making our own washing powder for almost 12 months now, and I don't imagine I'll ever use the store-bought/factory-made versions ever again. It's super simple to make, isn't filled with toxic ingredients and is extremely economical. Plus making our own washing powder results in less packaging over time, and ultimately less land fill (or "sea-fill" as is the case here - yes shocking isn't it - don't get me started). Many friends have asked what recipe I use, so I thought I'd put it here on my blog for all to see....and maybe consider trying.
What you need
:: a measuring cup (not necessarily a standard metric cup - I use an old honey jar)
:: a large bowl or bucket for mixing all the ingredients
:: soap flakes (if you are really keen, you could grate a bar of sunlight soap) - I use Lux Flakes
:: washing soda
:: borax
:: something smelly ie eucalyptus oil, or tea tree oil, lavender - whatever takes your fancy!
:: ALL ingredients can be sourced from the laundry/cleaning aisle of your local supermarket...well at least they are here....and if I can source them living on a small remote island in the South Pacific, then you'll have NO trouble finding what you need where you live, I'm certain!
How
:: place 2 cups of borax, 2 cups of washing soda and 4 cups of soap flakes into a bowl
:: Mix! I put mine into a bucket, pop on the lid, and SHAKE!!! This saves having to transfer the finished product to another container
:: Add 2 tablespoons of washing powder to a normal load, and if you fancy, add a small cap full of something deliciously smelly and wash as normal!!
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OK....so does it work? Are my clothes really clean??
Well, 99% of the time I'm very happy with the results. If clothing, like for example, Harry's mud-encrusted-horse-riding-pants need EXTRA special attention, I soak them in a bucket over night with a cup or two (or more....because I'm really heavy handed sometimes) of cheap vinegar added to the water. We use a lot of vinegar around here for cleaning (but that's another blog post).
NB. I HATE the smell of Lux Flakes - the smell makes me shudder (years ago when we were first married, Ben had an accident at work which resulted in him having to wear a burn glove for over a year - the gloves could only be hand-washed with Lux Flakes - it's funny how we associate good and bad memories with smells). Hence why I add something with a refreshing aroma to the wash. I prefer to add a splash of tea tree oil or a tiny cap full of cheap peppermint oil - for me it completely disguises the smell of the Lux Flakes!
Happy washing friends!
