Homemade Cleaners that work!

Laundry Soap

½ cup soap flakes

½ cup baking soda

¼ cup washing soda

¼ cup borax

1 clean 16 oz. container with lid 

1. To make soap flakes, lightly grate a bar of pure soap, such as Ivory to the consistency of Parmesan cheese.
2. In a large bowl mix all the ingredients together. Store in a tightly sealed plastic container.
3. Use about ½ cup of the mixture instead of detergent in each load of laundry. 

Fabric Softener

¼ cup baking soda

½ cup white vinegar

1. Fill the washing machine with water
2. Add the baking soda and then the clothing.
3. During the final rinse cycle, add the vinegar (pour it into the softener dispenser if your washing machine has one).

Dishwashing Liquid

¼ cup soap flakes

1 ½ cups hot water

¼ cup glycerin

½ teaspoon lemon oil

1 clean 16 oz. squirt bottle 

1. To make soap flakes, lightly grate a bar of pure soap, such as Ivory to the consistency of Parmesan cheese.
2. In a medium pitcher, pour the soap flakes into the hot water and stir with a fork until most of the soap has dissolved. Let cool 5 minutes.
3. Stir in the glycerin and lemon oil. A loose gel will form as it cools. Use the fork to break any congealed parts and pour the liquid into the squirt bottle. Use 2 to 3 teaspoons per sink of hot water to wash dishes.

Automatic Dishwasher Detergent

2 cups borax

2 cups washing soda

1 clean 32 oz. plastic container with cover 

1. Combine the borax and washing soda in the container and seal it tightly for storage.
2. For each load of dishes, put 2 tablespoons of the mixture in the dishwasher soap dispenser.

Note: Here’s an easy way to get those dishes sparkling in your automatic dishwasher without using any chemical rinsing agents. Just stop the dishwasher during its rinse cycle and add 1 to 1 ½ cups of white vinegar. Or, pour the vinegar into the rinse compartment beforehand (being careful not to overfill). Wash dishes as usual.

Microwave Oven Cleaner

1 ½ cups water

3 Tablespoons lemon juice or 1 cup water

3 Tablespoons baking soda or 2 cups white vinegar

1. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the water and lemon juice, water and baking soda, or just the vinegar. Place the uncovered bowl inside the oven, and run the oven on high for 3-5 minutes, allowing the liquid to condense on its inside walls and ceiling.
2. Carefully remove the bowl with a towel or pot holder (it will be very hot!), and wipe the interior with a dishrag or paper towel.

These ideas were brought to us by our friend Angie Freel.  If you want more ideas like these you can contact the Saline County Cooperative Extension Service.  Their phone number is 501-303-5672.  Or you can email Angie at: afreel@uaex.edu