DIY Laundry Liquid

Washing clothes is a necessity of life. One that I myself do not enjoy. It's not so much the washing part, that's easy. It's more the hanging the clothes out, then bringing them in once they're dry, then the folding (while your lovely children try and help by crawling all over the piles) and FINALLY putting them away in appropriate draws. I rarely get to the putting away part. To be honest there is a pile of laundry on my couch now thats been sitting there for days. I just ignore it, pretending it doesn't exist. Please tell me I'm not the only one that does this?!

Two years ago while standing in the laundry aisle of the supermarket compaining to my 2 month old baby about the price of the all essential laundry liquid I decided that I would try and make my own. Sure I had heard about it, but doubted it effectiveness and how easy it would be to make. Valid concerns for a mother of a baby who couldn't keep his clothes clean for longer than 30mins! Not to mention we used cloth nappies/diapers

I scoured the internet and found many recipes but this is the one I found to be the most effective and easy to make.

DIY Laundry Liquid

Time: 20-30mins
Cost: less that $2 per 10L/quarts

What you need:

1C Soap flakes (I use lux flakes)
1/2C Washing soda
1/2 C Borax
Essential oil for scent (optional)
Water

Large Saucepan
10+ litre capacity bucket
Enough containers to contain 10 litres/quarts of liquid

How To Do It

• In a saucepan put the soap flakes, borax, washing soda and 1.5L/quarts of water 

• On a medium heat stir until everything has dissolved then remove from heat

• In the bucket measure out 8 litres/quarts of COLD water

• Add the soapy mixture to the bucket and mix well. The mixture will turn gel like. It as at this stage you can and your scents if you choose.

• Using a a jug and funnel pour into your containers.

• For a average load of laundry use 1/4-1/2C of liquid.