Making own washing powder and cleaning products?!

[bebemad]

So we are planning in saving some money in 2012 and we are looking into do more 'own made' things we have already started making bread, cooking more from scratch and another big expenditure is washing powder and cleaning products and we are looking for natural recipes any one have any?

Thanks

I think moneysaving expert has recipes for soap powder but I think borax was used and I'm sure I read on mn somewhere that borax isn't available anymore there's borax substitute now.

I use smartprice cleaners incl washing powder and tesco daisy dishwasher powder. House and clothes are still clean.

Use bicarb and soda crystals for washing clothes with a little essential oil and white vinegar insted of fabric conditioner. If using powder from supermarket use 1/3 of recommended dose it does the same job . The beauty is you can use these for cleaning almost everything else in the home too! You can also grate up old bars of soap and use these to wash clothes with, as for making your own soap just buy some cheap soap base, melt in microwave add fragrance oil and pour into a mould. Much cheaper than a bar from supermarket or that posh shower gel!!

Half a Lemon and salt cleans pans and stops smells in the fridge :)

Bicarb and dried flowers (esp lavender when in season) sprinkled on the carpet replaces shake and vac

Banana skins polish brown shoes

Vinegar and bicarb unblock plug holes

The list is endless.....

I use cheapo washing up liquid to clean bathrooms and sinks

only need a teeny blob and a sponge with a green scourer on it (something like 18p for 4 from Tesco Value range) and the whole bathroom and floor etc comes up a treat.

Also very good to dab on stains before going in the washing machine