Frugal and Energy Efficient Living

Last edited Thu Aug 23, 2012, 11:06 AM - Edit history (2)

Scroll down and you'll see where the person gives the directions for making your own detergent and fabric softener and about how much it costs per load.

"Powdered Laundry detergent

Ingredients:

2/3 bar Fels Naptha Soap (equivalent of 1 cup grated)
½ Cup 20 Mule Team Borax
½ Cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda. "

Other people have used Ivory Hand Soap


"FABRIC SOFTENER

6 cups of water
3 cups of vinegar
2 cups of any hair conditioner

http://countrylife.lehmans.com/2007/11/13/the-benefits-of-washing-clothes-by-hand/"

Edit: If you plan on using the grey water from clothes washing to water the garden, the above recipe isn't recommended because borax is toxic to plants unless one just uses the rinse water from the washing machine.

Laundry detergent ingredients to avoid:

"According to State of California Department of Water Resource’s Graywater Guide: Using Graywater in Your Landscape [2], specific ingredients to avoid include:

-chlorine or bleach
-peroxygen
-sodium perborate
-sodium trypochlorite
-boron
-borax
-petroleum distillate
-alkylbenzene
-”whiteners”
-”softeners”
-”enzymatic” components"

http://www.harvestingrainwater.com/greywater-harvesting/greywater-compatible-soaps-and-detergents/#%3Cstrong%3EChoosing%20compatible%20soaps%20&%20detergents%3C/strong%3E

There are "biocompatible" detergents available but they are on the pricey side. One alternative is using soap nuts.

"Can Soap Nuts help me Save Water and Energy?
Yes! Since there’s no soapy residue to rinse away you can use short to no rinse cycle on your washing machine."

http://www.organicsoapnuts.net/soapnut_information.html