The Home Chemist

Got me some Borax from the local bulk store!
Experiments ensue.

Liquid Laundry:
(expensive to buy, cheap to make!)

4 cups hot water
1/3 bar soap (grated)
1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 cup borax
12 litres water


Mix soap and hot water. Heat until dissolved (don't boil. I used the microwave, 30 seconds, then 15 second bursts, stirring lots in between).

Put 12 litres water into a bucket, then stir in the soap solution.
Next stir in the washing soda.
Lastly, add the borax and mix vigorously until it thickens.
(mine developed lumps, so next time I'm going to try mixing the borax with a little water first, or maybe rosewater for scent.)
Leave to rest in the bucket for 24 hours before use.
*****
TOTAL COST TO MAKE: $1.11 (for about 26 loads at 2 cups per load, I think).

I have bottled mine in 2L milk bottles, but you can leave it in the bucket, especially if it's one of those handy 20L buckets with a lid!

I didn't have a big enough bucket, so I used a standard 9L bucket, with 6 litres of water. Then at the end I poured half the mixture into the second bucket and topped them both up with the rest of the water and stirred thoroughly.

The result is thinner than commercial laundry liquid, and I'm not sure yet if you need one cup per load or 2 cups. I used 2 cups to wash my sheets (1/2 load) and it worked brilliantly. 1 cup probably would have been fine.
You won't see any suds, which is fine, because bubbles are just a marketing ploy! And anyway, it means you can use this for front-loaders too. Also safe for septic tanks.




This link is to the Frugal Kiwi website/blog, which has a similar recipe that makes 20 litres. The post has lots of comments with variations on the recipe, including substitutes for borax, and an explanation of what borax is.



Cold Cream
Just like Grandma use to use!

85mls Olive Oil
28gms pure beeswax (avail. at Harvest Wholefoods)
56mls rosewater (bulk store)
1/4 tsp borax

In microwave or double boiler, heat oil and wax together in a glass bowl until melted and well mixed.
In another bowl mix the borax into the rosewater.
Using a small whisk, beat the oil, and very slowly drizzle the rosewater solution into it (like making mayonnaise). It may curdle a bit at first, but will eventually turn creamy. Keep stirring until it cools down.
Pack into scrupulously clean glass jars. (makes about 3 small jars)
*******

I'm told this will keep for 3 or 4 weeks with no problems. Apparently if it goes moldy you can just scrape the mold off the top and still use it!!!
You can tell when it has actually gone off by the smell (the oil goes rancid).
Some recipes say to keep it in the fridge, probably to make it last longer.
You can make it without borax, but just use half the amount of rosewater. You will have to whisk it harder to get it to combine, and it won't keep for as long.

It's been great to use on my chapped nose (had a cold and been blowing it lots!), and has been good on the excema I have on one knuckle. I have also tried it as a night cream on my face. I've read it is excellent to put on your feet before bed. (wear socks to bed to keep it off the sheets).