Laundry Detergent Recipe: How to Make your Own Laundry Detergent
By Mrs Money on March 30, 2008 – 8:24 pm -
This is the best laundry detergent recipe I have used! It was very simple to make, turned out well, and I love that it’s got all natural ingredients! I have sensitive skin and this has worked fantastically. I used to use All Free and Clear but now this is my one and only laundry detergent.
Before I started, I gathered up the following supplies:
- A pot to melt the soap in
- Bar of soap (I chose Ivory soap because it is non irritating)
- 1 gallon jug
- Trash can to store laundry detergent in
- 1 box of Washing Soda
- 1 box Borax
- Long handled spoon to stir mixture
Where do you buy washing soda? It was a little tough to find, but my local grocery store carried it in the laundry detergent aisle. I called 1-800-524-1328, put in my zip code, and it told me where I could find it.
Here is the recipe for dry laundry detergent:
- 2 1/2 ounces soap bars, grated into flakes (Approx. a half a bar of soap)
- 1 cup borax
- 1 cup washing soda
Here’s the homemade laundry detergent recipe for liquid laundry detergent:
- 1 bar of soap of your choice
- 1 cup washing soda
- ½ cup borax
My first step was to almost boil about 4-5 cups of water, and shave the bar of soap into the water, stirring occasionally. Once that was done, I let it sit on the stove while I poured three gallons of hot water into my trash can. I then measured out 1 cup of washing soda and 1/2 cup of borax. I took the hot soap mixture, added it to the water in my trash can, and stirred until it looked pretty evenly distributed. Then I slowly added my 1 cup of washing soda until that was dissolved, and then did the same to the borax. That’s it. Fairly simple. I’m going to let it sit and get cool before I try to use it. It’s pretty liquid right now.
I have a front loading high efficiency (HE) washing machine. I’m use about a half a cup of this for my laundry loads.
Posted in How To, Save Your Money | 18 Comments »
March 31st, 2008 at 12:39 am
I love making my own laundry detergent! I have not done so in a few months though because I’ve been a slacker! lol!!
[Reply]
April 3rd, 2008 at 2:59 am
Let us know how it works out!
[Reply]
April 9th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
[...] A couple weeks ago I made my own laundry detergent. I wanted to let you all know how it is working, and give you the opportunity to share your thoughts here. If you’ve made it, please comment to let me know! [...]
April 26th, 2008 at 1:41 am
[...] I decided last month to make my own laundry detergent. That is working so well I decided to try and make my own dish soap and dishwasher detergent. [...]
May 4th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
[...] washed my clothes in laundry detergent I made myself on the delicate cycle in cold water. Unless clothes are extremely soiled (like Mr. Money’s [...]
May 4th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Very cool. I haven’t made homemade laundry detergent yet, but I did read this week that vinegar works just as well as fabric softener. Have you tried that? I’ll be eager to hear how you like your laundry detergent.
[Reply]
May 7th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
[...] cutting back on items that aren’t an absolute necessity. It seems like more and more people are making their own laundry detergent, bread, and looking for other ways to be frugal. While I do believe that people are cutting back, [...]
September 5th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
[...] Family cloth is basically reusable toilet paper. They are 4″ x 6″ squares of fabric, mostly flannel or cotton, that you use to wipe yourself with. When you’re done, you put them in a “wetbag” and then wait until you are ready to do laundry. When you have enough to launder, you throw them in your washing machine on hot with a little baking soda if you choose. You get bonus points if you use laundry detergent you made yourself. [...]
February 18th, 2009 at 6:52 am
[...] The next one is an Expotv exclusive offer and I thought it was a good deal if you don’t make your own laundry detergent. [...]
February 19th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
[...] of my own household cleaners. Dishwasher detergent looks pretty easy. And maybe I’d even try laundry detergent, though it does look a little more complicated. Have any of you tried either of [...]
March 3rd, 2009 at 9:58 pm
[...] Laundry Detergent Recipe Glass Cleaner and Household Cleaner Recipe Dish Soap and Dishwasher Detergent Recipe Shampoo Recipe [...]
March 4th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
This is a great post! How did the detergent work out in your HE washer? Are you happy with the laundry results?
Am enjoying your blog very much!
Sheri
[Reply]
March 4th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
Hi Sheri! Thanks so much for your compliments! Your blog is one of my favorites.
The laundry detergent works really well for me in the HE washer. I never have soap residue, the clothes smell great (no perfumey smells, which I love!), and my skin doesn’t get irritated. It is fantastic!
[Reply]
April 1st, 2009 at 7:45 pm
[...] Laundry. It seems to be one of the most talked about frugal focuses, and with good reason. You can save a ton of money by making your own detergent and air drying your clothes. By making your own detergent, you know exactly what went in it, which equals less chemicals in our water supply. Also, by air drying, you save the money (and the CO2) you normally would have spent running the dryer but you also extend the life of your clothes. [...]
May 4th, 2009 at 11:01 am
I made my own detergent, using a slightly different recipe than listed but I love it! My husband thinks it is disgusting but lets face it, he never does laundry! I rinsed out two milk jugs and used them to hold the detergent. So far, so good!
[Reply]
October 23rd, 2009 at 7:28 pm
[...] laundry is probably one of the hottest topics when someone mentions frugality. Whether it’s making your own laundry detergent, air drying, or shopping at thrift stores, clothes and their care seem to spark numerous [...]
December 20th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
[...] some homemade laundry detergent and include the recipe. You’ll eliminate many chemicals from making their way into our water [...]
December 24th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
[...] have money. I told her that we save for various reasons and that even though I may save money by making my own laundry detergent, I don’t necessarily take the difference and put it in savings. I just like knowing that I [...]