Homemade Laundry Detergent

Our Think! Energy Homemade Laundry Detergent/Potluck event was a huge success! A big thank you to those who came and spent your lunch time with us! We wanted especially to thank Laurie and Elissa from the National Energy Foundation who took time to participate and make some laundry soap with us.

Thank you also for sharing your do-it-yourself recipes for fabric softener/dryer sheets and granite cleaner. All recipes are below.

Carolyn’s Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe:

2 cups finely grated soap (Fels Naphta, Zote, Ivory, Castile)
1 cup washing soda
1 cup Borax

Use 1-2 tablespoons/load

This recipe is safe to use in HD washing machines. You should be able to find all the ingredients at the laundry detergent aisle. Try Walmart, Target, Winco, Axe Hardware, Big Lots etc.

More homemade laundry detergent (both powder and liquid variations) and some tips: http://www.sunflower-soap.com/LSGuide1.pdf

Easy homemade fabric softener and dryer sheets can be found here:
http://www.diynatural.com/homemade-fabric-softener-dryer-sheets/

Granite Cleaner - Can be used for counter tops, appliances and other non-porous surfaces.

½ C Rubbing Alcohol
1 C hot water
10-15 drips Dawn dishwashing soap
Few drops of essential oils (for smell)

Pour all ingredients into a spray bottle and mix.

Congrats to our door prize winners: Ryan Johnson, Chenille Hutto, Kurtis Hughes, Teresa Reinders, Adele Bancroft, Liz Blaylock, Sheila Johnson, Su Chon, Louise McMillian, Eric Orton, and Mark Long.

Next Think! Energy Event- Homemade Laundry Detergent

Please join us for a potluck event on Tuesday March 6th, 11:30 a.m. in room 210. Come and find out how to make your own laundry detergent. It is simple, easy, and will save money. Bring your own airtight container(i.e. canning jar, milk jug, etc.) - we’ll provide all the other supplies! If you forget your container, we’ll have some available for you. This homemade detergent is safe to use in any High Efficiency Front Load Machines (HE).

There are many great reasons to make your own laundry detergent:

Savings- You can save over 95% on the laundry soap cost by making your own detergent. Here are some cost calculations (http://www.dyinatural.com/):

-Arm & Hammer® liquid 100 ounce detergent – $6.79 – 32 loads = $0.21 per load
-Tide® with Bleach powder 267 ounce detergent – $20.32 – 95 loads = $0.21 per load
-Homemade powder 32 ounce detergent – $2.98 – 64 loads = $0.05 per load

An average American family washes nearly 4000 loads of laundry per year so you could be saving hundreds of dollars.

Better for your health- Most commercial detergents leave behind harmful residue that can be absorbed through your skin and cause irritation and even damage your immune system. This can be especially harmful for babies and breast feeding mothers.

Save the Environment – The biggest environmental problem with commercial detergents is that they create toxic waste water that causes unbalanced ecosystems. By making your own detergent you will also cut down waste since you won’t be bringing home big plastic or cardboard containers anymore.

Cleaner Clothes- That is right! You often do not need to pre-treat your stain as the homemade laundry detergent will often work better than commercial soaps.

Fun- making your own detergent is fun and you can be pleased that you have done something good for the environment, your health, and your bank account!

When: Tuesday, March 6th
Time: 11:30 AM
Where: Room 210 (2nd floor)

See you there!

Your E-Team Co-Captains,

Mia Larson
Valeri Stewart