[needssomehelp]

this weekend i made washing detergent (liquid type) washing powder, fabric conditioner and dishwasher powder.  i made 4 gallons of washing liquid and you only use 2 tblsp per wash so thats gonna last months !  i worked it out to cost about £3 for everything i made.
i found the "how too" on youtube. i just typed making laundry detergent and away you go.
it was so easy. i have done about 5 loads of washing today and all seem to have washed well, and the dishwasher powder seems to work good also.  not so sure about the fabric conditioner but then i dont normaly  use that anyway, only if its on special. if it carries on all washing well (clothes and dishes), im gonna save a small fortune :-)
 for the washing liquid i used .....
household soap-1 bar
washing soad crystals - 1 cup
borax- 1/2 cup
loads of water.

[grendel]

we made some of that washing liquid just the other day works just great, we just used all the odds and ends last bits of soap rather than a fresh bar, not quite as good on the 30 minute 30 deg quick wash though. mind you we mostly use the a rated eco wwash anyway.
Grendel

[Auntiemogs]

I'd be really interested in giving that a go guys.  Is there a particular video you used and could you possibly give me the link please? Mags 

[grendel]

dunno, the wife did it all, I just ran around getting the bits and helping, we didnt have any borax in ours though.
Grendel

[needssomehelp]

im not sure which link i used now, if you go to youtube and type in "how to make laundry detergent" there are loads of videos, they are all pretty much the same,
i grated my bar of  HOUSEHOLD soap and melted it in about 5 cups of water on the hob, once melted i added 1 cup of washing crystals and 1/2 cup of borax powder.
i didnt have a big enough bucket so i used the linner out of my rubbish bin, and added around 4 gallons of hot water, then add your soap mixture, stir and cover for 24 hours. i used a whisk and whisked it up every now and again, it will thicken when left overnight.  
 24 hours later WASHING LIQUID !!!
i also used some essential oil in mine (for a nice smell) when it was cold but this is optional. and didnt really smell much anyway lol
i use a scoop which is about 2-3 tablespoons.
hope  this helps x lisa

household soap Morrisons 55p for 2 bars in the laundry isle
borax powder 99p box from hardware store, some asda's and some chemists do it
washing crystals Morrisons £1.05 (i think) for a bag in the laundry isle.
but you only use a fraction of each for laundry detergent so soooo cheap to make. :-)

[joyfull]

sounds interesting Lisa, what about the fabric conditioner?

[needssomehelp]

that was mainly distilled white vinegar but i cant remember what powders and how much, i have to say i wasnt that impressed anyway.  there are other ways on youtube of making softener but those include using hair conditioner, i havent tried that cos i think if youve got to buy hair conditioner you might just as well buy fabric softener !
dishwasher powder is working great though, as is the laundry detergent.

[joyfull]

just found a recipe for washing powder rather than having to boil up for a liquid.
I bar of soap - finely grated, 1 cup of borax and 1 cup of soap crystals. mix together and use 1 - 2 tablespoons per wash load (depending on how dirty the clothes are).
I will have a go at making this today as it takes up less room - just got to find some borax.

[needssomehelp]

yes i made that as well with the bar of soap i had left, it does work out more expensive for the powder, as you dont get no where near as any washes  (But still alot cheaper than shop bought,) i just prefer liquid as it doesnt clog my draws  . i used my food processer to chop all the grated soap and powders down to a fine washing powder consistancy.  i  also added essential oils to it before whizzing in processer but optional x x

[joyfull]

for a fabric conditioner I shall use white vinegar and if I want a flowery smell I shall use some drops of essential oils mixed in the bottle 
I do like this thread, thank you 

[needssomehelp]

for a fabric conditioner I shall use white vinegar and if I want a flowery smell I shall use some drops of essential oils mixed in the bottle 
I do like this thread, thank you 

joyfull let me know what you think when youve used it, i put orange ess oil in mine but still wasnt impressed, i dont know if there is any difference between distilled whit vinegar, which is in  the recipe and distilled white MALT vinegar, cos thats the only white vinegar i could find .Lisa x

[joyfull]

that's the same I think. I shall use ordinary brown for dark clothes and the white just for lighter colours as it's more expensive.
Does the soap have to be household or can you use any soap?
Off out soon to visit Wilkinsons as they generally have all this sort of stuff and cheaper than supermarkets.
I have also found a recipe for washing up liquid so will try that out too.

[needssomehelp]

it does say use household soap which is a laundry soap, i dont know what the difference is between that and normal soap though. just found household soap in my local do everything store at £1 for 4 bars so thats quite good.  washing up liquid  sounds good, let us know if you make it xx

[joyfull]

I think I found this on Martin Lewis' website:-

Wash up liquid

1 litre boiling water
2-3 drops tea tree oil or lavender oil (or others - depeneding on what takes my fancy smell wise)
10g soap flakes (2 heaped tsp)
10g soda crystals (2 heaped tsp)
1 tsp vinegar

Good mix and shake up and use.

Not tried it but will do soon 

[needssomehelp]

might have to give that one a go.