Ingredients

Try some of these old stand bys

Basic Laundry Detergent

1 Cup soap flakes
1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 cup borax

Soft Water Laundry Detergent

1 cup soap flakes
1/4 cup washing soda
1/2 cup borax

Hard Water Laundry Detergent

1 cup soap flakes
1 cup washing soda
1 cup borax

Liquid Laundry Detergent

1 cup of any of the above mixes
2 Tbs glycerin
2 cups warm water

For all the detergent recipes, mix all ingredients and store. To use, measure 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup of the mix and add to the laundry. Launder as usual. Each of these recipes yields approx. 12 oz. Note: You can buy glycerine at many health food stores.

Remove-All Laundry Stain Remover

Five gallons of very hot water
1 cup powdered Cascade or generic equivalent
1 cup Clorox II or generic equivalent

Mix together and use while hot to pretreat stains. Works great on food stains, and removes virtually anything! Always test on an inconspicuous spot, first. Whenever you want to use it again, heat the solution up first. Store in a tightly covered container.

Homemade Pretreating Stain Remover

1/2 cup ammonia
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup baking soda
2 Tbs liquid soap
2 qts water

Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle. Spray the liquid onto the stain and let it sit for a few minutes. Launder as usual.

Homemade Scouring Powder

1 cup baking soda
1 cup borax
1 cup regular salt

Combine the three ingredients and keep them in a tightly closed container. Use as you would any commercial scouring powder.

Fiberglass Cleaner

1 cup borax, vinegar to moisten.

Place borax in a bowl or container, add vinegar to moisten. Using a rag or sponge, rub borax mixture into the fiberglass, until clean. Rinse well.

Tile Cleaner

1 cup washing soda

Using a sponge or rag, rub washing soda onto the tiles, and rinse well.

Window cleaner

½ tsp liquid soap, 3 tbs vinegar, 2 cups water, spray bottle.

Combine the ingredients and put them in the spray bottle. Use like any window cleaner. Tip:Use newspaper to dry your windows. It's cheaper than paper towels and it leaves windows shiny and streak free.

Disinfectant scouring powder

1 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup borax.

Blend ingredients in a blender. Use as any scouring powder (baking soda doesn't scratch)

Multipurpose cleaner

1 tsp. borax, ½ tsp. washing soda, 2 tbs. vinegar or lemon juice, ½ tsp. liquid soap, 2 cups very hot water, spray bottle, food coloring (optional).

Combine all the ingredients in a Pyrex measuring cup (or directly in the spray bottle). Add the hot water and gently shake the spray bottle until all the ingredients are dissolved and mixed. Spray onto the area you want to clean, and wipe off with a sponge or cleaning rag.