RSS
This is neat, how to make your own phosphate free laundry detergent Gowithflo writes -
I wanted to
A. Save money
B. Be ecologically phosphate freeIf you learn from my mistakes your results will surpass mine in both respects, I am sure.In addition to my clothes coming out "so fresh and so clean, clean" it was a very satisfying and aesthetic making process!
You will need:
- Food processor
- 1 bar laundry soap like Fels Naptha "or" Zote, "or" Ivory - Zote can be found in hispanic grocery stores
- 1 Box Borax - found in the laundry aisle
- 1 box Washing Soda or Oxi Clean, or Baking soda - (Washing Soda AKA soda ash AKA sodium carbonate available in some grocery stores made by Arm and Hammer or you may find it art supply stores in the dyeing section)
- OPTIONAL- essential oil of your choice, I didnt do it but I think tea tree might be nice.
This is a cool tutorial and probably fun to do, but it is a bit misleading. Most laundry detergents haven't had phosphates in them since about 1994 or so. On top of that, even when detergents did have phosphates, they only contributed about 5% to the overall phosphate loads in waterways. Phosphate fertilizer is the real problem here.
In the end I'm not sure that it would be a good idea to use this stuff regularly, as it takes extra energy just to make it, and probably requires more energy to wash clothes with it- since it's not going to be as efficient as a true laundry detergent.
Reply to this comment
Sardonic, I made a batch for myself after that was posted on instructables, and have done a few loads of laundry with it already.
I have had no trouble getting clean laundry - even though I'm using baking soda instead of washing soda
It was very cheap (less than $3 for over 8 pounds)
It took me about 5 minutes, and I didn't need a food processor (a couple minutes with a fine cheese grater)
------
I also grabbed a similar recipe for dish washing detergent. 1 Part Baking Soda - 1 Part Borax. Also getting great results.
Reply to this comment
As for the "tea tree oil," that may not be wise: http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/jan2007/niehs-31.htm
I'm a big DIY fan, but I think that modern detergents have more than a little Borax in them. Also, you need something to reduce the suds on frontloaders...
Reply to this comment
This is great and all, but it will wreck a front loading washer. The heater system needs either phosphate or phosphate-replacement in order to prevent scaling problems.
Reply to this comment