Going Green

Okay so I finally have the time in my life to care about these things like going Green. I know I should have been more vigilant about all this before but lets not look backwards. Lets go forth.

I stumbled upon this recipe while surfing my favorite blogs this week and have just today tried it out. So here goes. This is a recipe for laundry detergent that I made today and have a load washing as I write this. I had to shop around for the ingredients in two stores but I live in the middle of nowhere so you may not have that trouble. The Castile soap I was able to purchase at Trader Joes in Ann Arbor this weekend the rest was at my local grocery store. It is fair trade item so I like that http://www.motherearthnews.com/Sustainable-Farming/2008-06-01/What-Is-Fair-Trade.aspx.

So I mixed it up as directed in a non metallic container. Add in the vinegar first then the dry ingredients as listed stirring all the while. It does get very liquid and lumpy so I used a potato masher to break that up. Then when you add the Castile it gets crumbly like magic. So stir until you feel it is combined I even used my hands to break it up. It will remain moist so cover and store. Use about 1/4 cup for a normal load and adjust to your needs.

I just peeked into my washer and noted that it produces no suds. I looked at all the ingredients on the containers and you will be pleased to note that it is all natural with no detergents used so It is environmentally friendly. In fact the uses for the borax and washing soda for other household cleaning are amazing. Please check it out. The Castile is 100% vegan made from all organic plant oils and vitamins.

So here are the ingredients for the laundry soap. then followed by the Dishwasher soap, enjoy and feel good about yourself!!

Laundry Soap:

1 1/2 cup vinegar

1 cup backing soda

1 cup washing soda

1 cup Borax

1/4 cup Castile soap

Liquid Dish soap:

1 cup Castile soap

3 tablespoons water

and a few drops of your favorite essential oil if you wish

combine and put in favorite dispenser

DishWasher soap:

equal parts

Borax

washing soda

mix and store in a jar using a tablespoon or so for your washers needs.

then vinegar in place of Jet dry if needed