Check out the chemistry behind homemade laundry solutions and this effective recipe!
Households in the United States live busy lives, and this is especially true in the populous state of Maryland. At the same time, however, everyone is always interested in finding new ways to save money. Laundry detergent is one of those areas in which people are branching out from the norm to gain efficiency. Homemade laundry detergent recipes are everywhere online. However, there is hot debate on this topic. Why use it, and what works?
Why Use Homemade Laundry Detergent?
One of the strongest arguments against using homemade laundry detergent is that it takes up too much energy and time. It’s much easier to buy pre-made detergent rather than spend hours laboring over your own concoction. For some, however, the financial savings are worth the effort, and one may also find the work relaxing. On average, people spend about 21 cents per load, but with some alternatives, you can spend as little as 2 cents.
Does It Work?
Plenty of articles say that the trend of homemade laundry detergents are a mistake. For one, detergents consist of surfactants rather than soap. This is true, so technically “homemade laundry detergent” is a misnomer, and it is more a “laundry cleaner.” While surfactants trap and suspend dirt from clothing; however, the two main ingredients in most homemade solutions work similarly. Borax creates a negative electrostatic charge between the fabric and the dirt so that they repel from one another. Meanwhile, washing soda gets rid of the odors. When made right, one can use a homemade solution as a pre-soak or as an effective cleaner.
Laundry Detergent Recipe
The simplest recipe is to mix a 1:1 ratio of borax and Arm & Hammer super washing soda. However, for a more complex solution, you can try this Zote soap recipe for a smooth clean. This recipe is especially helpful if you enjoy working with your hands. Your ingredients will be: 400 grams of Zote soap, water, borax, and Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda.
- Grate ⅕ of a 400 gram Zote bar soap.
- Add the grated soap and 4 cups of very warm water into a large pot and gently stir with a slatted wooden spoon until it dissolves.
- Add another 4 cups of very warm water.
- Add ⅕ cup of borax. DO NOT let the mixture come to a boil.
- Add ⅕ cup of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda, and gently stir until everything dissolves. Avoid making bubbles.
- Add 2 quarts of room temperature or cool water, and stir to make it even.
- Let it sit for 24 hours. It will become gel-like in that time.
- Stir it again to make it smooth, pour it into a gallon-sized bottle, and use ½ cup per load.
The solution should leave clothes fresh and clean. Should you experience any serious concerns with your washer, Landers Appliance is here to help!
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