I use relatively simple, non-toxic cleaners for everything, whether it be dishes, clothes, our bodies or general cleaning. Here is a recipe I found on the internet for washing woollens. I have adapted it slightly but you can also read the original here.
Rather than using soap flakes, I grated Sunlight soap.
I used my food processor with the grater attachment.
2 cups grated soap
2 cups boiling water
1/2 cup methylated spirits
10ml eucalyptus oil
1 cup water, extra
Grate the soap into a large bowl and add boiling water. Blend thoroughly.
Add methylated spirits and eucalyptus oil and blend a bit more.
Add 1 cup of cool water and mix again.
Allow to cool a little before pouring the mixture into a suitable wide-necked container. I used an old Napisan container. It does need a wide neck as the mixture is quite firm when it sets so you need an old spoon to scoop it out.
To use the mixture I put about a tablespoon of mixture in a bucket with some hot water and mix until it is dissolved then add add more water until it is tepid and use this for washing woolen knitwear and other handwashing.
**EXTRA FRUGAL TIP**
Make sure you have some items ready to wash before you make up the mixture.
Rinse all of the utensils used in a bucket of warm water and the residue will be sufficient to make a solution of wool wash for your waiting clothes.
Thank you for this one. With winter coming I would like to begin washing my woolen items more gently than in the washer. I can use this and hand wash them.
Thanks for pointing this out again. I’m going to bookmark it. Fortunately, sweater weather has finally come to an end in my side of the world.