I spent $6 at the store to get a box of 20-Mule Team Borax, and a box of Arm & Hammer Laundry Soda (not baking soda...).  I spent $10 ordering Fels Naptha soap bars online. Together these ingredients will yield me 64 gallons of laundry detergent.  I need 1/2 cup per regular load of laundry.

 

This is petroleum free so is good to use in the new High Efficiency washers.

 

The soap is so pure and good, people stop using fabric softener, becomes not necessary.

 

Gee! I learn so much here!!!

 

washing soda, borax and bar soap.  I use Castille bar soap.  The best fabric softener is plain white vinegar.  The clothes smell like vinegar   coming out of the washer but smell like NOTHING when dry, as the smell disipates during the drying cycle.  I use washed out 14 lb kitty litter jugs to mix and store my recipe.  Each jug will hold 2 1/2 batches.  I am making it ahead so I do not have to use precious water supplies when the pan flu strikes.  I have that commercial mop bucket ready as my washing machine.  I have turned many people onto the homemade laundry soap recipe - more $$ for food. 

     I also make my own dishwashing powder.  I tried various recipes as how well they work depends largely on the quality of your water source.   The best blend involves buying the largest box of Cascade you can find ( Sam's Club or Costco).  Mix one cup washing soda with one cup borax and add 1/8 cup of cascade and stir.  One box of cascade will last you an entire year !!   Focus on food and stop spending your $ on high dollar soaps - make your own !

 

I recall in my younger days my roommates and I saved money washing our jeans in the tub; taking turns "stomping grapes". We would then take them to a small tree or porch railing, wrap the legs around it and twist; then "hand iron" them while damp to get the twist lines our. It still took more than a day to dry, but it helped.

Borax as a house without a central heating sourse can get moldy

Borax is a mold reducer and you can wash your walls and bathroom in in .

 

  

 

I've heard of people using the Borax and Washing Soda for making soap, and I have both of those right now. I just never got around to getting the Fels-Naptha bars. I need to do that. Oh my gosh, I remember my grandma just throwing those in the washer (and mom too sometimes), and the clothes smelled so good!!

 

 

Wow, was that at the Dollar General Store, or another type of Dollar Store. What section would it be in? I haven't been in there for a little while, but don't remember ever seing any in the laundry section, or anything.