Homemade laundry detergent

7/22/14

I posted last week 5 things I was going to be trying over the next few weeks.  Naturally, I waited until today to figure out which to make.  I intended to make ketchup.... until I read the recipe I picked and realized it would take 12 hours (you use a crock pot).  Then I thought, OH, I'll make mayo, and we'll have it for lunch on our sandwiches-- but then I read the mayo recipe and found that they use a RAW egg.  I don't think raw eggs are probably THAT bad, but I'm not messing around when I'm pregnant.  So, I'm going to need more time to search for a recipe.  I didn't do shampoo because I want to use it more than once before I can give a reliable review..... and finally, there aren't any mosquitos out this morning to test out homemade bug spray.  Lesson I learned? Don't wait until the last minute.  That's a familiar lesson.... and I keep thinking I've learned it.... Welp, there's always next time.

ANYWAY.... I decided to post on laundry detergent!  I've been making our laundry detergent for 4 yearsISH, and so I think I can give a decent review.  I love it.  It's SUPER cheap (like 5 cents a load?!) and, I think probably better for your skin. Plus, I'm not forking it over for Dreft for my kids; and I don't want a harsh detergent for them.

I make the powder kind. Always.  I have looked into the liquid kind, I think it looks like a bunch of extra work.

Here's what I do.

I put a bar of fels naptha soap in my vitamix and ground it all up. I recommend using some kind of food processor.  You could also use a cheese grater-- and I used to do that, but I started hating my life, so I quit.

This is fels naptha soap. It's found in the laundry aisle in case you're unfamiliar =)

Then after I ground that all up, I pour it into a bowl and add 1 cup of Borax. This is Borax, also found in the laundry aisle.

and then I mix in 1 cup of WASHING soda... not to be confused with baking soda.

This is washing soda, found in the same aisle (isn't THAT convenient? ;)) I used to have some trouble finding this where I used to live, but now the Walmart I live near always has it.

And finally, I don't use this, but I'm going to use it in my next batch, which I will be making on the next rainy day...

This is Oxi Clean.... (guess where it's found?)

I've been looking online at all different laundry detergents-- you can find a lot of info! AND, I'm finding that a lot of people really like adding oxi clean, so that's why I'm going to try it next time.  Many people also add stuff to make it smell, but I don't really care about that.  I think we smell fine ;).  I also think we have clean clothes using this detergent.  And, if there's a reason we don't, it's usually because we've spilled on them and haven't changed. The four of us are good at spilling on ourselves.

My current recipe I'm very happy with.

1 bar fels naptha soap grated

1 cup washing soda

1 cup borax

Mix it all together, and it will look something like this..... Per load I use about 1 1/2 tbsp of powder.

Last time I made a massive recipe and filled this entire container.  This is what's left... ...I don't think I've made laundry detergent for a loooooooong time (probably just under a year).  I'm just starting to run out.

Ok, and here's the recipe I will be using this next time I make it....

1 (4 lb 12 oz) Box of Borax
1 (3 lb 7 oz) Box of Arm and Hammer washing soda
1 (3 lb) Container of Oxiclean
2 (5.5 oz) Bars of Fels naptha soap
1 (5 lb) Bag of Arm and Hammer baking soda.

I'm excited to try a new one and see how I like it!

Do you have a homemade laundry soap you love? I'd love to hear the recipe!

-Melanie