52 Homesteading Skills in One Year: Project #16 and #17: Making homemade dish soap and cheap DIY laundry detergent

My life is embarrassing.

I came to this conclusion at the end of my recent doctor’s visit. It was time to put my coat back on – only the zipper was broken. Instead of fixing it, I have just been leaving it zipped at the end so I can step in and out of my coat as needed. Simple solution, right?

Well, it seemed like a good idea until I had to perform this feat in public. I tried to be ‘oh so cool and casual’ as I jumped into my coat and yanked it up over my shoulders all the while hoping my doctor could see the practicality in this time saving although tricky maneuver. Alas, I don’t think she did. I’m pretty sure she just thinks I’m weird.

Unfortunately, this week’s embarrassments don’t end there. Two days ago we had a metal roof installed on our farmhouse. Our former roof was starting to grow moss so it was definitely time.

The day before the roofers arrived a horrible thought occurred to me – they are going to be able to see into each and every one of my windows…into this mess that I call my life.

We have garbage bags on window ledges where we have begun to strip paint. We have a hole in the floor where we started to wire for a new dining room light. We have a giant pipe floating along the entrance wall because we are in the midst of fixing an improperly vented dryer.

The playroom (Who am I kidding? I really mean my whole house.) looks like a large tribe of monkeys recently took up residence and my kitchen is still in an unkitchenly state. The list goes on, but you get the picture. So why don’t I just close the blinds? Because I haven’t taken the time to put them up. Don’t worry. There aren’t any windows in the bathroom – at least not in the downstairs one.

To top it all off, this week I tried one of those night-time hair tricks where you are supposed to wake up in the morning with a ready-to-go hairstyle. Well, I woke up and that’s the only good thing I can think of to say.

My husband was concerned when he first laid eyes on my new style asking if I slept weird because my hair looked funny. Ella just started laughing while needlessly pointing out that I really needed to brush my hair.

Yes, it was one of those weeks. Thankfully I have this blog where I can at least appear to have it all together as I cross one homesteading task after another off my list. This week I made cheap DIY laundry detergent and dish soap because I cringe every time I pick up a bottle at the store and look at the price. My so-called “green” laundry detergent costs me $11 for 50 loads and one bottle of dish soap is $4.

In comparison, homemade detergent costs about $1 per 50 loads (that’s just two cents a load) and a bottle of dish soap is $1.50. I know you want to save money and use truly green soap so let’s get to it.

Cheap DIY Homemade Laundry Detergent

What you need:
6 litres of water
1/2 bar of pure castile soap, grated
1/2 cup washing soda
1/4 cup borax

Step 1: In a large pot mix the water and grated soap over medium heat until the soap is completely dissolved.

Step 2: Add washing soda and borax and mix well.

Step 3: Use a funnel to pour the contents into your jars. Give it another stir and let sit for 24 hours. You’ll know it’s perfect when it has turned into a gel-like, goopy looking substance.

This is powerful stuff so use just 2 to 3 tbsp per load. I can’t speak for all types of detergent, but I can confidently say that this recipe works just as well as The Nature Clean brand.

Update: I now prefer to use this powdered laundry soap recipe:

I switched to a powdered laundry detergent recipe. It is not only easier to make, but I find its potency lasts longer.

What you need:
1 bag of washing soda, 2 kg (I use this brand.)
1 box of baking soda, 2 kg
3 bars Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Bar Soap (lavender-scented), 5 oz. ea., grated (but any kind of bar of castile soap will work!)
1 container OxiClean Multi-Purpose Baby Stain Remover Powder, 1.36 KG

Directions:
Simply mix all the ingredients together and store in an airtight container.

All-Natural Dish Soap

What you need:

4 cups water
1/4 castile bar soap, grated
1 tbsp washing soda
1/2 tsp vegetable glycerin
1 tsp citric acid

Step 1:
In a saucepan mix the water, soap, washing soda and citric acid over medium heat until the soap is completely dissolved.

Step 2:
Remove the mixture from the heat and stir in the vegetable glycerin.

Step 3:
Pour the liquid into a soap pump or similar container and allow it to sit at room temperature to thicken for several hours. Give it a final stir and start washing.

Warning: Although this dish soap is a beautiful white colour, has a great consistency and does a good job of getting my dishes clean, it does not suds up.

Maybe these new recipes will finally be the incentive I need to not only clean my laundry and dishes, but my whole, embarrassingly, messy house. Or maybe not. Well, at least I’ll be saving money.

PIN IT FOR LATER!