Laundry's Super Hero

Laundry soap has to be one of the most overpriced household items on the planet. Well, next to toilet paper.

Do you know how much toilet paper a household of 8 can go through? It seriously borders on ridiculous. Anyway, I digress.

We use A LOT of laundry soap in this house. I have been content to use the cheapest laundry soap possible, stain remover, fabric softener, dryer sheets, etc, but I thought that there must be a better way. So, we started off small. While baking one day I noticed the baking soda container said to use baking soda in your wash to get you clothes cleaner. I sing the praises for the many uses of baking soda. It cleans things like no one's business, but I never thought to throw it in with my laundry. I bought a 14 lb bag and set out to see what this miracle cleaner could do for my laundry.

The first few times I used it, the only thing I changed from my normal routine was throwing a cupful in with the wash. I was amazed at the results. My clothes were so soft and smelled so clean. So, after a few times I braved changing up the routine and nixed the liquid fabric softener step. The laundry still came out nice and fresh and soft. Then, I thought, hmmm... wonder what it will do on stains. Well, a little vinegar-baking soda- toothbrush action later and most of the stains I tried it on came out. Mustard is permanently embedded in my brand new white shirt, but we don't need to discuss that. It just makes me sad.

Since I was on such a roll, I decided to cut back the amount of laundry soap I was using, and lo and behold, my clothes were still clean and fresh and I cut my soap usage in half. That, my friends, was cause for a victory dance the likes of which this world has never seen. Angels rejoiced... well, okay, maybe not, but it was a very exciting discovery. I haven't completely got out of the laundry soap box but homemade laundry soap is definitely in my near future.