This will keep you from smelling bad

This one started because yours truly is allergic to scented laundry soap and my husband secretly wants to be Martha Stewart.

We used to get them fancy laundry soaps that you can get at natural food stores.  Stuff that had packaging that looked similar to certain natural feminine hygene products and cost an arm and a leg.  We didn't really think about price as much because it was a necessity and we were all about the enviromental effects.  But the stuff was about 12 bucks for 32 loads of laundry.  And with a kid and a decreasing amount of owned clothing articles, that did not last long.

Lucky for me, the husband had a minor in Chemistry and was one of those guys who likes concocting things.  Laundry soap wasn't making home brew, but it did have its appeal.  He did some research and came up with a home made laundry detergent that has three basic ingredients, no allergins, environmentally friendly and...its a miracle...takes the stench out of his gym clothes the first time round.  Even if you use the less utility bill abusive cold water.

Your Basic Laundry Soap That Even Cleans Dirty Gym Clothes Smells

- Makes 2.5 gallons

2 cups Borax

2 cups Washing Soda 
2 small bars (or one large bar) pure Soap

Optional: Essential oil for scent

• Bring about 6 cups of water to a near boil in a medium sized pot.
• Use a cheese grater to shred the soap while the water is heating up. 
• Add the soap to the hot water and stir until completely dissolved.  Be careful not to boil over. 
• Dissolve Borax and washing soda in at 1.5 gallons of water In a large 2.5 to 3 gallon bucket/container. Add the hot soap solution, mix well, add water so total volume is 2.5 - 3 gallons, cover, and leave overnight. 
• Add 5-6 drops essential oil for optional scent.

The next day, the mixture will harden and become gelatinous.  You can break the mixture up with a spoon or a hand mixture to place in  used laundry bottles or use a ladle and scoop directly from bucket. This concentration is formulated for 1/4 cup per load although I do tend to use a little more.

The husband recommends that for the soap, you use Ivory because it is really pure soap.  Many others are actually detergent. Also,  he uses Arm and Hammer Washing Soap and 20 Mules Borax.  Nothing fancy.  Real standard.  

He uses a plastic kitty litter container because it has a lid.  We think of it as recycling so we feel virtuous.

He says that every time he goes to shop for about a year's supplies at the local every guy  supermarket chain it has come to around $8.   Put that in your pipe and smoke it, Mr. Earth Friendly No Allergins Commercial Hippie Laundry Soap!

It may cost a little more for a bigger family.  It may cost a little more if you buy different basic brands.  It may cost a little more if you use imported essential oils from some far off land  (and you wonder why you are broke?).  But it is probably going to be way cheaper that what you are doing now if you are buying if from a store.