Recipe #1 (Washer)
1 Cup white vinegar
Add vinegar to rinse cycle. Removes residue and odors and helps keep washing machine and hoses clean.
Recipe #2 (Dryer)
1 Container of name brand fabric softener*
4 Inexpensive sponges, cut in half
Pour entire container of softener into a 5 gallon bucket. Fill empty softener container with water twice, and add to the bucket (2 parts water to 1 part softener). Add sponges to softener/water mixture. When ready to use, wring out extra mixture from one sponge, and add to the dryer as you would a dryer sheet.
*You can use any amount of fabric softener, as long as you add two parts water.
The ingredients call for 4 sponges, cut in half. So that is only 8 sponges for all that mixture. Do you keep re-using the sponges by tossing them back in the bucket after each use?
ReplyDeleteYes you can keep using them and every other month I put them in my dish washer to deep clean and sanitize them
DeleteCould you also put them though the clothes washer every other month or every month instead of dishwasher?
Delete@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous,
Yep, you can reuse the sponges.
~Lily and Ellie
Are these ingredients safe for he(high efficiency ) washer and dryers I've seen some that you could use essential oils in mixtures is this safe?
DeleteI've done this for awhile now, though not in the five gallon bucket size. I just take storage bowl with a lid that seals, add a cup of the softener with two of water, throw in the sponges... and I'm set! The sponges will last for a long time, and my clothes smell great and are as soft as the expensive sheets.
ReplyDeletecan anyone tell me why my clothes still is coming out dirty after useing my home made soap? my husband keeps telling me and i see some dirty stains on it, how can i make it better? sholud i add more borax? i been having to use clorox 2 and still it comes out dirty but since im trying to save money,im not trying to keep spending money by buying clorox 2 all the time. also does anyone know where could i buy essential oil and how much does it cost and where is the cheapest place or site you've seen it at? thanks
ReplyDeleteYou can find the essential oils at the GNC stores. I make the laundry soap for the Humane Society and it cleans very good. I do add more soap per load. The towels come out smelling clean right out of the washer.
DeleteHey Purex works the best. Its not expensive. Walgreens and CVS always has them on sale. Buy 1 get 1. I tried the making your own laundry soap and we were spending more money cause of having to rewash items that did not come clean. Friend recommended Purex and it is all I use. I save money and save water too
DeleteI add 1 cup oxi clean to the dry soap recipe and use 1 cup of Borax... no issues with stains
Deletedont use essential oils from a store get the quality kind or its just a total waste of money doterra is the best but young living is good as welll and u can get quality detergents from both those places which is better than these options
Deletethat is wastful you are still buying the product anyway. does that make any sense?
ReplyDeleteA reminder to not use any kind of fabric softeners too often on your kitchen and bath towels. It coats the towels and decreases their absorbency.
ReplyDeleteWhite vinegar is best for these
DeleteVinegar has antibacterial properties.
vinegar does not have any antibacterial properties at all. it does not disinfect either. people think it does but its not correct
DeleteMadison Todd, you need to do a little research. I found a plethora of information that verifies the antibacterial properties of vinegar, including some websites from the government. A Heinz spoken said it kills 99% of bacteria, 82% of mold and 80% of viruses. The reason it does not print it on the label is because they would have to register it with the EPA as a pesticide. http://www.care2.com/greenliving/vinegar-kills-bacteria-mold-germs.html
DeleteIt is simple chemistry, the avid in the vinegar cooks the portion in the organism be it bacterial or viral, thereby killing the "germ".
DeleteIt is simple chemistry. The acid in the vinegar cooks the protein in the organism eit
Delete@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous,
Here is an article that will give you a few suggestions on how to get your clothes looking cleaner: http://frugallysustainable.com/2011/10/help-i-make-my-own-laundry-soapbut-my/
Adding essential oils is optional, but they can be purchased online or at grocery stores like Whole Foods and Trader Joe's.
Hope this helps!
Lily and Ellie
I am going to try this dryer sheet recipe. Do I need to be concerned about where I place the wrung-out sponge when I toss it in? I don't want it leaving a mark on the fabric it lands on since it is wet and a fabric sheet is dry.
ReplyDeleteI can think of several better ways of starting the new year than with new money-saving techniques.
ReplyDelete@Aspiemom
ReplyDeleteHi Aspiemom,
As long as you wring the sponge out well, it shouldn't leave a mark.
Happy Washing!
Lily and Ellie
Or start with a dye free version the point that you are using at least 1/3 the product your saving at least two thirds the cost.
Deletebut 1/3 of liquid fabric softener (2 parts water).. and even less since you aren't using a cupful, but just what is coating the squeezed out sponge. It stretches a bottle a LONG way.
ReplyDeleteSe people add oxy clean (or a generic oxygen cleaner) to their homemade recipe.. especially for baby or kids stains.
ReplyDeleteExactly, extremely cost effective.
DeleteIf you have stains on your clothes you would need to pretreat as with any laundry soap. I recommend mean green. You can buy it for $1 for a small bottle at dollar general and right now th we e is a 35 cent off coupon floating around f Rom a circular a couple weeks ago. It doesn't specify a size!! I also add a small container of fabric softener to my homemade soap. My dtr loves the smell of gain so I use that brand. It's about $3 for a small bottle. Still a bargain for 10 gallons of laundry soap!!! At times i have added borax or washing soda directly to my washer for hubbys greasy nasty clothes. Awesome stuff!!! I also water my fabric softener that I add to my washer 3 to 1!!! Works just as well and gives you a seemingly never ending bottle of fab softener. Hope this help!s
ReplyDeleteWe have terrible water, so I modify the recipe. I add 1cup of common table salt, use 1 cup of each washing soda and borax and leave it at the 5gallon strength. When I do the wash most loads only need 1/4 cup if something is especially dirty I use 1/2 cup. Works just fine and still way cheaper than the commercial and certainly the specialty soaps.
Delete@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteTry adding some TSP Tri Sodium Phosphate. It's like a multiplier. It takes what ever you have and makes it that much better. You can also keep one of the bars you use for the recipe and rub on the stain with water before washing. For the fabric softener, I use free samples, works great. Just add the water 2-1 ratio and you are still good.
The homemade softner left stains on my clothes no matter how much I wrung them out...:(
ReplyDeletei am probably going to try the fabric softener sponges, but not sure i will try it on whites and light colors. maybe my towels and darks.
ReplyDeleteTry a dye free version
DeleteI also had darkened spots left on my whites and light colors from the fabric softener. I am wondering if I use a white liquid fabric softener instead of a blue liquid if it would not leave the spots. This really does save a lot of money.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous,
Yes, the ingredients are safe for HE machines.
Happy Washing!
Lily and Ellie
@Anonymous i buy my essential oils at vitacost. They r cheaper than amazon or stores. Tea tree or lavender
ReplyDeleteactually getting young living theives es oil is the best kind to get or just buy theives detergent
Delete@Anonymous I've used the homemade detergent @3 years now..buy GLADE refills with a coupon or store brand essential oils.my clothes smell like 'lavender'. 'ocean breeze'. whatever change. i cannot wait to try the fabric softener!
ReplyDeleteEssential oils for soaps, etc... can also be purchased at Hobby Lobby or Michaels. Be sure to get the correct ones. The oils for candles are not the same as for soaps. Michaels has a multi-pack of like 8 bottles for $35 but if you use one of the 40% or 50% off one regular priced item coupons, it's alot cheaper than buying individual bottles and lasts forever!!
ReplyDeletethats why u should get quality oils like young living or doterra cause your getting the best
DeleteAlways double rinse towels - you would be amazed at how much soap you get out on the additional rinse.
ReplyDeleteAnother recipe: 3 cups white vinegar, 2 cups hair conditioner (the cheap dollar store stuff, your choice of fragrance), and 2 cups hot water. Mix well. I just reuse an old fabric softener container and shake it well each time I use it.
ReplyDeleteThat is what my aunt used to make for carpet shampoo.
DeleteI have been looking online for cheap and easy ways to save money and I came across this one for fabric softener.
ReplyDelete2 cups of hair conditioner
12 cups of boiled water/ warm water
6 cups of distilled white vinegar
Mix all together and use 1/4 cup per load it should last up to 192 loads. Try this out and see how that works out for you. OH YEA You can use the cheap hair conditioner like Swave (probably spelled that one wrong I am up late sorry) But I get mine from Walmart for 97 cent per bottle.
If you fill a one gallon jug with orange peels and then top with vinegar, you will have orange scented vinegar for the laundry and a way of reusing your orange peels.
ReplyDeleteThis also works beautifully for cleaning lino floors.
Delete@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteBe sure that you only use vinegar in the rinse cycle becasue it will cancel out the detergent. Also add some more washing soda for a boost.
Love the vinegar and orange peel idea. I'm going to try it with lemons
ReplyDeletei have been making my own detergent for awhile now and i love it. it saves me $$$ not just cuz its pennies per load, but i dont have to run to the store for it. i have passed this recipe on to my friends and my sister. even though i already save $$$ by using generic dryer sheet, i want to try the softener next with my own essential oils. i love being frugal and my kids like it because it saves more $$ for other things!
ReplyDeleteWhat size sponges do you buy?
ReplyDelete@Mamma
ReplyDeleteHi Mamma,
Regular sized kitchen sponges will do the trick.
Hope you had a Merry Christmas.
Lily and Ellie
Made your laundry detergent recipe this evening. I am so excited!!! As a mother of three and wife of a sweetheart this is a blessing. We are a homeschooling family and this was a fun part of our evening. You all have been blessed! Thanks so much for the time you share with other families to help make their lives easier.
ReplyDeletewww.apothecary.com has essential oils, or you can go to the nutrition stores (more expensive there)
ReplyDeleteu get better oils from young living and doterrra
DeleteWhy are you cutting 4 sponges in half? If only 1/2 sponge is required per load?
ReplyDeleteDo you put all 8 sponges in the dryer at one time? Not sure why you need 4 sponges cut in 1/2?
ReplyDelete@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous 37,
You only use one sponge per load. Keep in mind that the Duggars have multiple dryers, so they would need more than one. But even if you just have one washer, it is nice to have a few extra sponges sitting in the mixture and ready to use.
~Lily and Ellie
The need for more than 1 sponge in the mixture... Because the one you pull from the dryer is dry, having another already in the mixture means you don't have to try and get the dry one ready you just said it back in the mixture and use a different one
DeleteI have been using the home made laundry soap for over a year now and I will never buy it in the store again! My autistic 4 yr old has extreme bowel trouble and the laundry soap is the only thing that completely removes the stains! Cant wait to try the fabric softener ideas!!
ReplyDeleteI have been using your reciepe for laundry detergent and will NEVER go back. My clothes smell wonderful and are just as clean, ie; I do add a container of generic oxy clean because my boys are really rough and dirty (greasy). I am about to try the fabric now! I save a bundle on detergent.
ReplyDelete@Anonymousyes, yes it does. Instead of pouring in an entire cup, you are saving what would have run out with the washer water to use again. Does THAT make sense?
ReplyDeleteMy family use the homemade fabric softener. It is the best thing we have ever done. It saves so much money. I am so glad we found this. Our clothes still smell great and we save money in the process.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteIs this he efficient? I have a top loader and do t want to ruin the machine. Thank you!
@saving money
ReplyDeleteHi saving money,
Yes, this recipe is safe for HE machines.
Happy Washing!
Lily and Ellie
Do you use bleach in your towels as well? If so, what about also using the white vinegar as a fabric softener in the wash? I have the front load washer that uses very little water and do not want to mix chemicals in the cycles ( the bleach and vinegar).
ReplyDeleteHow many loads does the dryer fabric softener yield?
ReplyDeleteI've been using these dryer sponges for a while. For any of you that are concerned about static, you can use wads of aluminum foil. I usually throw in 2 sponges and 3 aluminum balls w/ each load. Yes this saves money, the bottle of fabric softner lasts a REALLY long time so compare by use to what you spend on regular dryer sheets and you'll see the savings add up!
ReplyDeleteWhat I LOVE about using the sponges is I think the yummy smell stays with my clothing/towels much longer than when I used regular dryer sheets. I can do a load of towels and when I use one a week from now it still smells like it did when I took it out of the dryer. :)
You can also use some of the fabric softner to make DIY fabreeze... google the recipe/directions. :)
I used this for awhile but then I found something even better I dyed some rags so I could tell them apart but if you take rags and soak them in the fabric softener then ring out and hang out to dry they are good for about 10 loads each. I haven't used it watered down but I am trying that next. my clothes are just as good as the sheets and my hands don't get the fabric softener on my hands for every load.
ReplyDeletePerfect idea to make my own liquid laundry conditioner. I used to make a laundry detergent but always wanted to soften the clothes more. Thanks for the suggestion, I will try that recipes for sure.
ReplyDeleteThe homemade softner left stains on my clothes no matter how much I wrung them out...:(
ReplyDeleteAm I the only one that when I made the homemade washing detergent not only did my clothes still come out dirty the soap was really clumpy. I put it in empty detergent containers and shook it really well before using and it was still clumpy.
ReplyDeleteHow long does this last? Do the sponges get moldy? And how often do you have to rotate this "homemade"fabric softener.
ReplyDelete