"It All Comes Out in the Wash"

          All of this rain lately reminds me of how God washes me daily with his grace. Many times a day I say what I shouldn't, don't say what I should and react before I think. But how wonderful it is that God forgives me and all of my failures truly do "come out in the wash." And speaking of washing...is it just me or does the laundry seem to pile up quicker when it rains? We've had many rainy days this week and I've spent what seems like hours in my laundry room. Luckily, I have my homemade Lavender Laundry Detergent and Fabric Softener to give me that boost of calm that I eagerly desire.
          Almost a year ago I found a recipe for homemade Laundry Detergent (thank you Duggar Family!) and with a little tweaking have been using it ever since. Thanks to a wedding gift of laundry detergent and making our homemade version, I've never bought laundry detergent since I've been married! If it all truly does come out in the wash, why not make it yourself? There are many benefits to making your own detergent and fabric softener, below I've listed a few of my reasons:

• It's much cheaper than buying detergent (no matter what size you buy)
• I can make it personalized (our first batch was Lavender-Vanilla and this batch is Lavender)
• The fabric softener not only softens your clothes but also cleans your washing machine at the same time!
• And my new favorite reason...it's cloth diaper safe!! You don't have to buy separate detergent for your cloth diapers or for baby's clothes! 

So without further ado, here are the recipes for homemade laundry detergent and fabric softener:

Laundry Detergent

• 4 cups of hot tap water
• 1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
• 1 cup Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda
• 1/2 cup Borax
• 10-15 drops essential oil per 2 gal (I use about 5 Tablespoons for the whole bucket)

1. Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
2. Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full with hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda, and borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. 
3. Fill bucket to the top with more hot water. (Add your essential oil if you want). 
4. Stir, cover, and let sit overnight.
5. Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill the rest of the way up with water. Shake before each use.

Notes: Laundry soap recipe yields 10 gallons! For a top loading machine, use 1 cup per load. For a front loading machine, use 1/2 cup per load.

Fabric Softener

• 1 Gallon of Distilled White Vinegar
• 2T of essential oil of your choice

1. Pour essential oil into Gallon of Vinegar. Shake before each use.
2. Use 1/2 cup per load.

          Have any of you ever made these recipes? I would love to hear about your successes and failures with them (and would love to rejoice with you!).


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Karah Lorbacher