Homemade Laundry Detergent

If you are on Pinterest, I'm sure you have seen all the recipes for homemade laundry detergent. I'm sure you've also seen that it will save you a ton of money. I finally made some for myself as one of my first summer projects. My sister has been using it and loves it. She somehow ends up helping everyone else make it, so I had her help me as well. It is quite easy to make and quite inexpensive if it really lasts a year. I used a recipe that is similar to this one that I found on Pinterest. Mine is slightly different and costs a little less. Her recipe is only $28 for the year, so that isn't bad at all.

Here are the ingredients that I used:

• One bottle of Purex Crystals (the one for baby since I have sensitive skin)
• One box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
• One box of Borax
• Three bars of Fels-Naptha Soap
• Two boxes of Sun Color Safe Bleach Laundry Soap (from the Dollar Tree)
• Two cups of Baking Soda

 

 

I didn't take a picture of the process, but it is easy. My sister said to make it in a big garbage bag which is an awesome idea (use two for no leakage). First we shredded the Fels-Naptha soap with a grater (you can use a food processor if you got one). Then we just threw all of the other ingredients into the garbage bag. Here is the cool part of the bag- to mix the ingredients, just twist the top of the bag shut and turn the bag around for a few minutes. Easy peasy!

I already had these containers, so that is why I'm using them. You can get a neat container from somewhere like Wal-Mart for $6-$7 with a spout in the lid if you like.

You only need one scoop (a tablespoon) for a normal load and two (two tablespoons)  for a heavily soiled load. If you have a measuring spoon or cup from some medicine, it works great.

 

If you are worried about scent like I am, this smells softly in a good way when taking clothes out of the washer, but you can't really smell it once the clothes are dry. That is the way I like it. I'm not into smelly, perfumy clothes. If you are though, use your favorite Purex or whatever brand crystals for the scent. Just make sure that it goes with whatever scent you have for your "laundry soap" part.