This cute little RECEET FOR WASHIN CLOTHES is printed on the old-time printing press in The Ozark Mountain Folk Center at Mountain View, Arkansas. There is no name on the print to give credit to.
Nancy Jo noticed that I posted over at Country Pleasures that I make my own fabric softener and asked for the recipe. I first came across this substitute in a book called Cheaper & Better, by Nancy Birnes. I've since seen it in other publications.
Fabric Softener
2 cups of baking soda
2 cups of Herbal Vinegar or white vinegar
4 cups of water
Mix ingredients (slowly--or it will overflow!) and store in a plastic or glass container in your laundry area. Keep out of reach of children. I usually only mix up a half batch.
I've never made any Herbal Vinegar, but I've been thinking that mint or lemon thyme might be a good scent to try in this. Your fabric will not smell like Downy or any commercial product, especially, if like me, you use the plain vinegar. It does work, though, and is much "cheaper & better".
Hope you are having a nice day.
RMary
"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24
Aren't you glad that "Washin Day" isn't what it used to be?"
ReplyDeleteI was going to add to my post that you use 1/4 cup per load, unless your water is very hard then you might want to try 1/3 to 1/2 cup. We have some iron in our water and I usually use 1/3 cup.
I would have added this to the blog, but blogger won't let me in! Anyone else having any trouble today? For a while I didn't think I was even going to be able to post!
RMary
A home made Fabric Softener. I'm finding lots of better-for-us product ideas, this evening. :-)
ReplyDeleteMari-Nanci
Thanks for the sweet message on my blog. Yes I am back.
ReplyDeleteAlso thanks for the fabric softener recipe. When Cindy was a baby, (and also for the kids now), I only use white vinegar. It was recommended by the physician who was worried about allergic reactions. That is also why this recipe is so valuable.
Again thanks for sharing
Take care,
Love,
Terri
Great tip, the fabric softner...So many natural ingredients make the best cleaners also.
ReplyDeleteI am so ready for spring......
I've always loved that "recite"...and am so ever lovin' thankful I don't live back in those times!!
ReplyDeleteI'm a Downy Sheet gal...hehe!!
But I do bet the lemon would smell good and fresh!!
:-D
I love the Ozark Folk Center, haven't been there in ages, I need to go again! Good recipe, and if you don't have vinegar or just don't like the smell, just add a cup of baking soda to the rinse cycle. Yes, herbal vinegars are wonderful and so easy to make!
ReplyDeleteGreat recipe for laundry, Rosemary! I'll have to give that a try and add it to my homemade laundry soap =) I've got several lavender plants (if they come back after this soggy winter) that I could do a lavender vinegar with...
ReplyDeleteLove this. It's really neat.
ReplyDeleteOMGosh! This is the way my mother helped her mother do laundry! Dear Lord, I'm grateful things have changed. Rosemary, thank you so much for the fabric softener recipe. I have chemical sensitivities and cannot use commercial softeners in any form, or even be around people wearing clothes where softeners have been used. This will work wonderfully for me. :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you posted the natural softner recipe. This is a new bug I have, learning to use less chemicals around the house.Good timing for this post where I'm concerned! And I agree with a few of your other commenter, "Whew, am I happy I don't have to do laundry the way my grandmas did it."
ReplyDelete