DIY LAUNDRY SOAP

Laundry does not end.  Whether its towels, sheets, or just clothes, there always seems to be more to do.  I hated having to buy laundry detergent, fabric softener, bleach, and even dryer sheets.  Everything was so expensive!  And we used it up so quickly that it always seemed like we were on the verge of running out.  In fact, it was so ridiculous that I finally decided that doing laundry needed to be simpler too!  

With just a few common household ingredients and directions from mommypotamus, I made my own laundry soap!  I also no longer buy bleach, fabric softener or dryer sheets!  

Homemade Laundry Soap:

• The recipe is 2:1 (2 cups Washing Soda to 1 five oz bar Dr. Bronners Castile Soap)
  
• I simply used 4 cups of washing soda and 2 bars of Dr. Bronners Lavender Castile Bar Soap. You could actually use any of Dr. Bronners scented bar soaps - it comes in eucalyptus, peppermint, etc.
• Cut the soap into chunks and blend in a food processor. Be careful to keep the top of the food processor covered while pulse mixing so the powder does not escape (and you don't  breathe it in).  
• Store soap in air-tight container.
• Depending upon the size of the load of laundry I use 2-3 tablespoons of soap.  I keep a cup next to the washer machine to dissolve the soap in before adding to the laundry tub.  Note that I have an old fashioned top load washer, so I do not know how this would work with a front loader.  
  

Other Laundry Alternatives (more information at mommypotamus):
Fabric Softener: a little white distilled vinegar
Bleach Alternative: peroxide
Stain Remover/de-greaser: Lemon Essential Oil
And, if I am using the dryer (instead of line drying) I use Woolzies Dryer Balls instead of dryer sheets!  I will never buy dryer sheets again!