Wednesday, October 31, 2012

{Happy Halloween from the bride of Frankenstein}

Homemade Dryer "Sheets"

1 bottle fabric softener (or you could make your own, I will post a recipe for this).

8-10 sponge squares (should be 3-4in squares, can get cheap rectangular sponges and cut in half; or buy a large automotive sponge and cut into several small blocks)

Pour bottle of softener in a large bucket.  Fill empty bottle up with water twice and add to bucket.  Place sponge in bucket, wring it out, and then place in dryer with your clothes as you would a dryer sheet.

Homemade Laundry Detergent for Sensitive Skin

Ingredients:

1 4lb box Borax

1 4lb box Arm & Hammer Baking Soda

1 3lb 7oz box Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda

3 Fels-Naptha Soap Bar for heavy stains or any body soap bar that is hypoallergenic for sensitive skin

1 3lb box Oxiclean free and clear

Essential Oil

Directions:

Grate the soap bar into large flakes (a box grater works great).  Using a five gallon bucket (lined with a trash bad if not clean), dump all ingredients and mix together.  You are now ready to use your detergent!  Use 1/4 cup at a time for a full load.  Add a few drops of essential oil for fragrance to your laundry water if desired.   

Note for septics:

You may want to liquify this if you have a septic system (A.K.A. live in the boonies).  Some people have no problem with the soap flakes, but others are cautious that the flakes from the soap bars may lead to a clogging of septic pipes.  I have two suggestions.  One, put your large flakes into a food processor and chop the large flakes up as finely as possible with your steel blade attachment.  If you can get it similar to a powder consistency you should have no problems.  Or, suggestion two, liquify the above recipe.  See directions below.

Liquify above detergent:

Melt the soap flakes in four cups of water.  In a large pot, pour melted soap flakes, all other ingredients, and a gallon of water.  Cook on low-medium until coagulates.  Turn off heat, add a gallon of cold water (if detergent seems very thick, add more than a gallon until desired consistency).  Stir well.  Pour into empty gallon containers.  Use approximately half a cup at a time.