Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Homemade Laundry Detergent


I saw the recipe for making your own laundry detergent on pinterst awhile ago.  (Found here.)  It seemed to get rave reviews and since my husband calls me cheap (I prefer using the title "bargain shopper") I wanted to give it a try.

I normally use Arm & Hammer Laundry Detergent with Oxiclean.  I usually buy the 32 load container for around $6.  I didn't keep track of the cost for the ingredients for this detergent, but the original post says the cost was around $20.  I've done about 5 loads of laundry with it already and haven't made a dent in it, so I'm sure it's going to last awhile.      

Ingredients for the detergent are:

1 4 lb 12 oz box Borax 

1 4 lb box Arm & Hammer Baking Soda 

1  box Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda 55 oz (3 lb 7 oz) 

3 bars of Fels-naptha soap

2 small containers (3.5 lbs. total) of Oxiclean (optional)

I have to admit that the messiest part of doing this was grating the soap.  (At first I tried using my small food processor, but didn't have much luck.  And I also feared that my next batch of basil pesto would end up tasting a little sudsy.)  


I combined everything and put about one third of the detergent (along with the scoop that came with the oxiclean) in a big plastic container.  You can use 1 - 2 scoops per load.


So far so good.  I figure we really threw this laundry detergent straight to the fire because Ellen had the stomach flu and we used it on several important loads over the weekend and it worked like a champ!
  
And I like the mild smell of the detergent, too.  


*Use at your own risk.*


Linking with these parties

24 comments:

  1. tricia where did you find your container and scooper?

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    1. The container is from Walmart. I found it in the home/kitchen department. The scoop is just what was in the oxiclean.

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  2. Nice! I have been wanting to make my own for a while. I just bought a couple pounds of soap nuts to try. If that doesn't work, I am definitely making my own.

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  3. I've been wanting to do this for a LONG time.. my normal detergent is almost out, I think it's time to take the plunge! :)

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  4. Ive been wondering about this.. hmmm. May have to dive in and try it!

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  5. I've made homemade liquid laundry soap, but have never seen this recipe. I am going to try it out. I like the idea of using Oxiclean and baking soda! Thanks for sharing!

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  6. I make my own laundry detergent too! I've done it for several years and love it. I make the liquid and keep it in a 5 gal container on my deck and just refill gallon containers as needed! I also make my own dishwasher detergent. Let me know if you want either recipe for those! Nancy

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  7. I make my own laundry detergent too! I've done it for several years and love it. I make the liquid and keep it in a 5 gal container on my deck and just refill gallon containers as needed! I also make my own dishwasher detergent. Let me know if you want either recipe for those! Nancy

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  8. I use this recipe...it's the best one I've found

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  9. Great idea! Thank you for the recipe!

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  10. I've done a lot of laundry detergent testing but never considered making my own since I have front loaders. But Oyxclean is the best stuff ever. Love it!

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  11. Love this. I have been making my own liquid detergent for over 3 years and I have never thought about making the powder. I will have to make some to change it up. Thanks for the recipe on how to make it.

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  12. Never thought of this! Thanks so much for sharing at the Kiss & Tell party over at my place! <3

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  13. What a clever idea!! Thanks for sharing at my party!

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  14. Very cool! I need to try this! It seems that only the expensive stuff (Tide) gets out the stains in my son's clothes! It's awful and expensive! Great idea! Thanks for linking up at my place!
    Melody
    ChattyChics.com

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  15. What a neat idea! Thanks for linking up!

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  16. I make my own liquid laundry detergent but never found a good recipe for powdered detergent! Will definitely give this a go! :) Thanks! :) I'm now following your lovely blog - come say hi at Just For Daisy! :) x

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  17. How much does it actually make? Is it definitely cheaper than buying a new box every other week? I do laundry daily and on Saturday two loads of bed linens unless the blankets are laundered too. I could sure use some saving and I need a homemade fabric softener too-any recipes for that?

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  18. I make a similar recipe for laundry detergent. The only drawback I have encountered is the "shredded" soap does not "melt" in warm or cold water and I've ended up with pieces of the soap on my clothing when I pull them out of the washer. Any suggestions? I tried mixing it with hot water before putting it in the washer, but that takes more time than I want to give. Or wash everything in hot water which I can't always do...Thanks
    Mlee

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    1. I wash mostly using cold water and don't have a problem with the soap melting. Sorry I don't have a better answer for you!

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    2. I have just tried this and found the same problem with the pieces of soap on my laundry too. I mostly use cold water to wash also. I'm thinking maybe trying to shredd the soap smaller. Also I found at wal-mart the phels Napa soap comes in flakes. Its white, not the pink color. I also add a whole bottle of Purex crystals for better smell. My only concern is the borox. I haven't used it on my tots clothes because I heard there might be a skin reaction. Does anyone use this on kids clothes?

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  19. I used to make the powdered soap, but lost my way via a divorce and move. The recipe I used was Castile Soap, a box of washing soda & borax. I don't care for the Fels-naptha soap. I like kirk's castile soap. I use it for bathing and making laundry soap. I never had a problem with it not melting in the washer. I have had both top load and front load washers. I love the idea of putting in oxiclean. I plan to give it a try. If your interested you can find kirk's castile soap at The Cracker Barrel Restaurant or on Amazon.

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  20. My kids and I all have allergies and we never had problems with the borax. I didn't use the borax when my children were really young. My youngest was about 3yo. Maybe try washing a few things and see how the children handle the new soap.

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  21. Does this work well with front loading washing machines? If yes, I am going to try it!

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