Homemade Cleaning Solutions

Laundry Detergent (Powder)
2 cups grated pure soap (e.g. Dove or Fels Naptha)
2 cups Borax (e.g. Mule Team)
2 cups Washing Soda (e.g. Arm & Hammer - NOT BAKING SODA)
Mix all ingredients together well, and store in a plastic container with a lid. Use 2 tablespoons per wash.

Laundry Detergent (Liquid)
1 quart Water (boiling)
2 cups Bar soap (grated)
2 cups Borax (e.g. Mule Team)
2 cups Washing Soda (e.g. Arm & Hammer - NOT BAKING SODA)
Add finely grated bar soap to the boiling water and stir until soap is melted.
You can keep on low heat until soap is melted.
Pour the soap water into a large, clean pail and add the Borax and Washing Soda.
Stir well until all is dissolved. Add 2 gallons of water and stir until well mixed.
Cover pail and use 1/4 cup for each load of laundry. Stir the soap each time you use it (will gel).

Fabric Softener
Recipe No. 1
2 cups white vinegar
2 cups baking soda
4 cups water
Set mixing bowl in sink, and combine ingredients slowly.
Using a whisk, mix together. It will fizz.
Pour in an old fabric-softener bottle. Use 1/4 cup per laundry load.

Recipe No. 2
6 cups water
3 cups vinegar
2 cups (16 ounces) cheap hair conditioner (e.g. Suave - whatever scent you like)
Mix and store in a one-gallon container. You can keep refilling your store-bought container. It may separate. Shake each time you use it.

Dishwasher Detergent
1C Borax
1C Baking Soda or Laundry Soda
1/2 C salt
Mix it all together. Use 1 TB detergent per load.
Some people claim this leaves a film on the dishes after a few weeks. Most have no problems.
If that happens just mix equal amounts of your regular Dishwasher Detergent and the homemade mixture to stretch your dollar.

Dishwasher Rinse Aid
Use white vinegar as your rinse aid instead of Jet-Dry.

Dishwasher Cleaner
Pour a packet of Lemonade Kool-Aid (the only Kool-Aid flavor that works) or any drink mix with citric acid in it into the detergent cup and run the (empty) dishwasher.
This will clean lime deposits and iron stains inside the dishwasher.
The citric acid in the mix wipes out stains.