Eco Love: Make Your Own Dishwasher Soap

For your pleasure, another dose of earthsaving (and pocketbook pleasing) eco-love.  Today, learn how to make your own dishwashing detergent for just under $0.05 a load.  Yes, you read correctly.  Five cents.  It only takes a few ingredients:
-Vinegar
-Borax
-Oxi-Clean (or another inexpensive active detergent)
-Baking Soda (or washing powder)

I keep all of my basic cleaning products in labeled glass jars so they are always ready for mixing.

Making a batch of detergent is easy:

1. Mix equal parts baking soda and borax.  Typically, adding a cup at time until you have the desired sized batch works well.  In the nest, we make batches of two cups each soda and borax.
2. Add another equal part of your active detergent (Oxi-clean works best) and mix again.
3. Store your mix in a well labeled sealible container.
4. If you have hard water and/or you're concerned about spotting, add two tablespoons of white vinegar to the "finishing liquid" hole in your dishwasher.

To use, simply add two tablespoons of your mix to the dishwasher, along with the vinegar if desired.

The mix should run for about a month's worth of loads (if you cook as much as sparrow!).

Thats all!


This receipe was originally spotted at thesimpledollar , then modifed by paper sparrow.

Eco Love: Making Laundry Detergent from Scratch

I recently came across a fabulous idea via Pinterest, making laundry soap from simple household ingredients.  Its easier on the planet and your pocketbook (at under $4 for over 500 loads).  With out further ado, here's the process.

You'll Need:
-1 half bar of your favorite soap
-1 cup borax
-1 cup washing soda
-2 gallons water
-1 12 quart pot
-essential oils (if you like)
-long spoon
-cheese grater
-a 2+ gallon container

Start by grating your half bar of soap into your massive pot. I chose a wonderful goat soap that smells like cookies.  Note: you may add an entire bar of soap if you like a much much thicker detergent.  A half bar makes it very easy to pour.  Add one gallon (16 cups) of water to boil.  Stir often until the soap flakes dissolve.

Next, add the borax and washing soda, stirring thoroughly.  Add several drops of essential oil if you want a yummy smell.  I added tea tree oil. peppermint and lavender.  Let the mix boil up and keep stirring (watch for overflow!).

The mix will thicken slightly during the boil, but will likely not thicken much more for another 24 hours.  after boiling for 3-4 minutes, remove pot and place in the sink.  Add one gallon of cold water.  Continue stirring.  

Let the mix cool in the sink until you can safely pour it into your containers.  I used a 3 gallon water dispenser.  Once placed in the laundry closet, the tap empties directly into the washer!

Ta-Da!  The entire process took only one hour and six laundry loads later, no complaints!  The mix doesn't sud much but still cleans great.