Ingredients
- 125 ml (1/2 cup) borax (look in the laundry soap isle of your grocery store)
- 125 ml (1/2 cup) washing soda (It's not baking soda and can be more challenging to find. Check health food stores or organic grocery stores.)
- 250 ml (1 cup) soap granules (Check health food stores or organic grocery stores or grate a bar of eco-friendly soap)
- 7 litres of water
- Optional: 10- 20 drops essential oil (e.g., lavender, sweet orange, tea tree, lemongrass for their anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties)
Preparation
Step 1
Fill a large saucepan fill with regular tap water, about 2 litres. Add soap granules and heat until diluted. While your water and soap granule mixture is boiling add borax and washing soda to your pail. Fill your pail half full of hot tap water and stir. When soap mixture is ready add it to your pail and top up pail with more water. Stir. Add essential oils last. Stir. Let cool. You can store the mixture in the pail and scoop out 125 ml (1/2 cup) per load or pour solution into containers — reuse your laundry soap container.
The soap will become a gelatin-like mixture and some liquid will separate. Don't fret, this is normal. I like this liquid recipe because it works awesome in the cold water cycle.
Trouble-shooting tips
Whites need a boost?
Add 125 ml (1/2 cup) of baking soda to your wash.
Have an HE machine?
I don't, at least not yet. You may have to experiment and use less since HE machines are so efficient.
Have hard water (PDF link)?
Add more washing soda.