Laundry Tips and Homemade Detergent Recipe

Tending to laundry is something we all must do on a regular basis. It can be a pleasant chore with the right tips, tools and attitude. Some basic ideas can help us make the most of our laundry days.

Sort to Save Time

Designated baskets for different fabrics and colors allow laundry to be sorted in no time flat. Clothes hampers like this one can be labeled with “denim,” “whites,” “reds,” “other.” Tossing clothing into the proper hamper can save time. Sorting will not have to be done when it is actual wash time. 

Help Clothing Last Longer

Clothing does not need to be washed if it isn’t dirty. If a garment has been worn for a short time and has no odor or recent stains, turn it inside out, if possible, and hang it on a clothes hanger. Turning inside out will allow the garment to air-out as well as serve as a reminder that it has been previously worn.

Not all laundry must be washed in warm or hot water every time. It is best to wash linens, towels, bedclothes in warm or hot water, but clothing will last longer if it is occasionally washed in lukewarm or cold water rather than always in warm or hot. 

Wash delicate items in cold or warm water on gentle wash cycles or by hand. Hang to dry on a drying rack like this one. Drying racks are wonderful for socks, handkerchiefs, scarves, delicate personal items or anything that is susceptible to shrinkage. The racks are easily hung inside or outdoors. 

To prevent shrinkage, especially with natural fabrics like cotton, linen, and wool, do not overly dry in a dryer. Better yet, use a drying rack or a clothesline. Repeated drying of natural fabrics will certainly lead to eventual shrinkage.

Using a Clothesline

Warmer weather welcomes us to our clotheslines for fresher-smelling clothing and household linens. Hanging laundry on an outdoor clothesline, not only saves money but allows time for contemplation and enjoyment of the outdoors. 

Transporting laundry to and from a clothesline can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be! Trade in the habit of having to replace flimsy plastic laundry baskets every couple of years with a very sturdy and affordable option. The Deluxe Basket is incredibly sturdy and there are no handles to pop off. The Deluxe Basket is one solid piece of material and easy-to-carry due to its ergonomical design. A high-quality laundry basket does not have to cost a fortune. The Deluxe Basket is much sturdier than others on the market and affordable enough to own more than one. 

Teach and Delegate

Teach children to assist with laundry or, better yet, to do their own. Most young children, even toddlers, are able to help with sorting, placing clothes in the washer or dryer and folding. By the age of ten years old, many children are able to become responsible for their own laundry. For each family member, designate a day when the washer, dryer and clothesline is available for his use. As reminders and reference, create laminated, instructional index cards which can be kept together by a loose-leaf binder ring. Use a Sharpie marker to write arrows or dots on the washer and dryer so children can remember which settings to use. (Marks can be removed with rubbing alcohol.) 

Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe

Print friendly version here Making homemade laundry detergent is quite economical and creates a product that can avoid overpowering scents. Homemade Laundry Detergent for an almost 5-gallon bucketful. This detergent lasts about a month for a family of eight. Ingredients:1 bar Fels Naphtha, grated1 cup washing soda1 cup Borax hot tap water essential oils, if you choose to use (see note)

Equipment: box gratertowel to catch shreds optional 5-gallon bucket large pot long spoon measuring cup

Directions: Using a large pot, melt grated bar soap in 12 cups hot water. Boil on almost high until soap is melted, stirring constantly. Turn off heat. Add other items and stir until dissolved. Pour 8 cups hot tap water into 5-gallon bucket. Add soap mixture to bucket and stir. Add 2 gallons + 12 cups of hot tap water to the bucket and stir. Let set 24 hours and it will semi-gel.Use 1/2 - 1 cup per load for regular washing machine.  

Notes: Reserve detergent making equipment (pot, spoon, grater, etc.) only for this purpose. Thrift stores are great sources for detergent and soap making equipment. To ensure the detergent is completely dissolved in the wash tub, the detergent may be added first, then start the water and fill with laundry. Adding one small container (10-12 oz.) of scent-free Tide to homemade liquid detergent adds a boost to the detergent but this is optional.

Homemade detergent powdered version

Popular among many homemakers is the powdered version of this recipe which involves combining the dry ingredients and not adding water. The idea is to use the dry version directly into the wash water. This method has been tested by me several times. The shredded soap doesn't melt even in hot water and pieces of soap have been stuck to my laundry after washing.

High-efficiency (HE) Washing Machines

The homemade detergent recipe is not guaranteed to succeed in HE washing machines. These machines are designed to use less water. Do your research if an HE washer is involved.

How to Soften Laundry 

To soften laundry or to remove any detergent residue while in the washing machine, add one cup of white vinegar to the rinse water. The laundry will not smell like vinegar, but will be softer and fresh. 

Oftentimes, laundry that has been sun-dried can be stiff, which disturbs some folks. To prevent this, add vinegar to the rinse water before hanging laundry on the clothesline. Another option, if an electric- or gas-dryer is available, is to place the laundry in the dryer for a few minutes after it has been removed from the clothesline. This will not only soften the laundry but remove any pollen that may have landed on the laundry while it was enjoying the sunshine. 

Happy Laundry Day!  Mrs. Katie of Heritage Ways educates and encourages homemakers by sharing her family's long-held homemaking and homesteading traditions and knowledge. She resides near Ohio's Amish Country with her patient husband, two of their six children, a few fat chickens, and a bossy house cat. Find Mrs. Katie teaching in-person at local events and farmers’ markets as well as online at HeritageWays.com, Heritage Ways Instagram and YouTube. She’ll be the one wearing an apron and counting her blessings.