I had another request for our liquid laundry detergent. It was suggested that this would be a great last minute gift for those that you have a hard time buying for. Everyone has dirty laundry and a bottle of this with the recipe included would be a great gift! Psst. The days are going to be getting longer next week.
I would also ask that if you have found a supplier of castile soap, would you let me know? I am having difficulty finding it. Enjoy the Christmas season.
Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent
1 cup of Borax
1 cup of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (NOT baking soda!)
1 bar Fels Naptha soap (you can also use Zote or castile soap )
water
5 gallon bucket with a lid essential oil for scent (optional)
Directions: Grate the Fels-Naptha soap. Add the soap shreds to a pot with 4 cups of hot water. Put the heat on medium-high, & stir until completely melted about 10 minutes.
Fill up a 5 gallon bucket halfway with hot water. Pour in the melted soap mixture & give it a quick stir. Stir in the borax and washing soda. If you’re using essential oil, now is the time to add it. You add in 1/2oz to 1oz, depending on how scented you want I. stir the contents again.
Fill up the bucket with warm water, all the way to the top – and stir again. If you don’t have a utensil long enough to reach the bottom, just put on a pair of rubber dish gloves beforehand. Snap on the lid and let it sit for 24 hours to gel up. It will have a thick consistency (watery with glops of gel). This is what it should look like!
At this point, you can divide it up between different containers like empty laundry detergent containers, cleaned out milk jugs, etc. I prefer to use 1-2 empty containers, and leave the rest in the bucket to save on space – refilling my containers as necessary. Really, you only use about an ounce per load.
Best Stain Remover
1 part Dawn Dishwashing Liquid (the original blue kind)
2 parts Hydrogen Peroxide
Directions: Mix together and pour directly on the stain. You can keep this in a dark bottle with a sprayer in your laundry room. It works on stains on clothing or furniture. Peroxide can remove color on fabrics, please make sure to test in an inconspicuous place.
I really enjoy this time with you each week and would love to hear from you. Do you have any requests? Is there a recipe you have been looking for or remember from your younger years? Can I help you find it? Do you have any recipes that are special to you that you could share with us? Please contact me at susieqcooking@ainop.com or c/o Pioneer Times, P.O. Box 456, Houlton, Maine 04730.
