Frugal Franny: Laundry Soap, Fabric Softener and Carpet Freshener
Today I ran out of fabric softener so I had to make more. I figured I'd post about the products I use or make the most. :)
Laundry Soap
Ingredients:
Directions:
1. Grate the soap with a grater or in a food processor.
2. Heat 4 c. water and the soap on the stove until the soap is melted and there are no chunks or flakes of soap left.
3. Pour the soap and water into the five gallon bucket.
4. Add the washing soda and borax to the bucket and mix VERY WELL.
5. Fill the bucket the rest of the way with water and put the lid on. Let it sit for 24 hours.
6. After 24 hours, stir again. Mixture will have gelled.
Next you'll need to put the mixture in an easy to use container that will be able to be shaken before using. I use an old gallon milk jug. It must be shaken before each use because it does tend to re-gel after settling. The liquid poured out tends to be a little "chunky" but it works well in cold or warm water. It is also good for HE washers because it does not suds hardly at all.
To use, pour 1/4 c. into each load. For clothes with heavy soil you can use up to 1/2 c. but I wouldn't suggest going over that as it won't do any better. The cost of this is about a penny a load and I only have to make it about twice a year.
NOTE: When I first started making this I would put 1/2 gallon of water with 1/2 gallon of laundry soap then use 1/2 c. for each load. It was less lumpy then but since I switched to using concentrate and only 1/4 c. per load I haven't had any problems.
Fabric Softener
Ingredients:
Directions:
1. Add vinegar and conditioner into a container.
2. Seal and shake to mix well.
To use, add 1/4 c. to the fabric softener dispenser on your washer, a Downy ball or to the rinse cycle of our wash (however you use your liquid fabric softener now). Be sure to shake well before each use.
Carpet Freshener
Ingredients:
Laundry Soap
Ingredients:
- Bar of soap (no perfumes, dyes or additives) such as Ivory or Fels-Naptha (I used Fels-Naptha)
- 1 c. Washing SODA (NOT washing powder and NOT baking soda! I used Arm & Hammer.)
- 1 c. borax
- 5 gallon bucket with lid, clean - new if possible
- Large Spoon or Paint Stirrer to reach the bottom of the bucket
- 5 gallons water
Directions:
1. Grate the soap with a grater or in a food processor.
2. Heat 4 c. water and the soap on the stove until the soap is melted and there are no chunks or flakes of soap left.
3. Pour the soap and water into the five gallon bucket.
4. Add the washing soda and borax to the bucket and mix VERY WELL.
5. Fill the bucket the rest of the way with water and put the lid on. Let it sit for 24 hours.
6. After 24 hours, stir again. Mixture will have gelled.
Next you'll need to put the mixture in an easy to use container that will be able to be shaken before using. I use an old gallon milk jug. It must be shaken before each use because it does tend to re-gel after settling. The liquid poured out tends to be a little "chunky" but it works well in cold or warm water. It is also good for HE washers because it does not suds hardly at all.
To use, pour 1/4 c. into each load. For clothes with heavy soil you can use up to 1/2 c. but I wouldn't suggest going over that as it won't do any better. The cost of this is about a penny a load and I only have to make it about twice a year.
NOTE: When I first started making this I would put 1/2 gallon of water with 1/2 gallon of laundry soap then use 1/2 c. for each load. It was less lumpy then but since I switched to using concentrate and only 1/4 c. per load I haven't had any problems.
Fabric Softener
Ingredients:
- 1/4 c. Conditioner (I use the cheap stuff that smells good - it's only used for the scent.)
- 1/2 gallon white distilled vinegar
Directions:
1. Add vinegar and conditioner into a container.
2. Seal and shake to mix well.
To use, add 1/4 c. to the fabric softener dispenser on your washer, a Downy ball or to the rinse cycle of our wash (however you use your liquid fabric softener now). Be sure to shake well before each use.
Carpet Freshener
Ingredients:
- Baking Soda
- Dry Spice(optional)
- 1/2 c. borax (optional)
- Shaker container (I used an old Parmesan cheese container)
Directions:
1. Put the borax and spice (I used 2 T nutmeg for fragrance) into the container.
2. Fill the rest of the way, leaving about 1/2" at the top for room to mix, with baking soda.
3. Shake to thoroughly mix everything evenly.
To use, sprinkle on your carpet and let sit for up to 15 minutes. Vacuum as usual.
Note: The borax is added to help get rid of any fleas or other bugs that may be living in your carpet. This is not needed if you do not have pets.