Time to "Clean" the Closet

When the weather changes, it is time to "change the closet." Now those of you who live up in the northern parts of the country probably know exactly what I mean and precisely how much it entails. It's that special time of year when you kiss all of your sweaters goodbye and start rummaging in your spare drawers and those boxes in the attic for that clothing you put away because it was too cold. You have to pack away your winter wardrobe and refresh your spring/summer style, and your clothes don't smell any better for being stuck in storage for the last few months. So to help you take just one more step to getting your home ready for spring, I'm going to give you the recipe to my Great Grandma's Laundry soap featured in my book, The Joy of Green Cleaning. This recipe will not only make your clothing clean and fresh but  is perfect for those with sensitive skin who are prone to breakouts.
Start by compiling your ingredients. First you will need 2 cups of soap flakes. You can either order them or you can create your own by grating a dry ivory soap bar. Next you will need 1 cup of baking soda, 1 cup washing soda, 1 cup Borax, and 15 drops of any essential oil for scent.
To make the detergent, simply mix all of these ingredients and store them in an air-tight container. For front loading machines, you can use 1-2 tablespoons of detergent or 1/4 cup for top loading. If you prefer a liquid detergent to a powder, just mix the soap with very hot water before putting it in the washing machine. Mixing these ingredients hardly takes any time and you will be sure to come out with a well washed wardrobe that is better for the skin of you and your family. Once those piles of laundry are cleaned and organized, your home will feel more spacious and you will have the peace of mind of knowing that when the weather changes, you will have precisely what you need.