Homemade Laundry Detergent

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Making your own homemade laundry detergent can save you a lot of money.

I have made my own laundry detergent for 4 years now. It’s a lot cheaper (just pennies per load) and lasts a lot longer than what you buy on the shelf.

This recipe lasts me around a year.

It does depend on how many loads you average and how many people you’re washing for. There are 3 that I wash for and between work clothes, normal clothes and child mess changes, I still get a years worth out of this recipe.

My husband works as a Tire Technician so I never know what road grime he is going to bring home on his clothes, out of the usual grease, oil and car fluids.

When his clothes get stained enough I have to soak them, hoping to save my washer too, but with this recipe he gets a daily compliment on how good his clothes smell.

After making different batches using different products, I can share with you my preferences towards the end of this recipe.

Shopping List:

(1) 4 lbs box of Borax
(1) 4 lbs box of Arm&Hammer Baking Soda
(1) 3 lbs box of Arm&Hammer Super Washing Soda
(1) 3 lbs box of OxyClean
4 bars of Fels-Naptha/Zote/Pure-Castile Soap
2 large bottles of In-wash scent boosters (Purex, Downy Unstoppable or Gain)

Grab a kit here on Amazon!

Directions:

1. Mix Borax, Baking Soda, Super Washing Soda and OxyClean in a 5 gallon bucket or large container.

2. Grate the Soap Bars, manually or in a food processor and mix them in your large container. I like the finer grate. It’s easier to distribute and dissolves easier in the wash.

3. Store in a container and put larger amount away for when you need to fill up container.

4. Use 1-2 tablespoons per load depending on how large and dirty the load is.

Using the Purex Crystals gives you easy containers for when you make your detergent. Rather than buying another container. Also the middle line on the lid is 2 tablespoons so that’s a plus because you don’t have to grab a measuring spoon from the drawer.

Bar Soap:

The first 4 ingredients are pretty standard when it comes to Homemade Laundry Detergent. The 4 bars of soap can be what you prefer.

Zote soap gives your soap a pretty pink color, however I didn’t like how soft it was. I thought it would be easier to grate, but it wasn’t for me.

I read where a lady recommended putting the Zote soap in a microwave for 1 minute and it would crumble after expanding in the microwave, but I haven’t tried it.

Please let me know how it worked for you if you decide to try this!

Pure-Castile Soap has different fragrances and an option for those with sensitive skin.

Fels-Naptha has been my go-to, it’s a hard bar that will grate easier if you manually do it. It’s your preference, any laundry soap bar will clean clothes, it just depends on if you want to make it pretty, easier to grate, or for sensitive skin.

Scent Boosters:

Downy Unstoppables Scent boosters have always left a lasting impression of scent on my clothes. The Purex Crystals alone lost their scent after going through the dryer.

Dreft also makes scent boosters. So you can get that fresh baby smell! It all just depends on how much you want to spend and what your preferences are.

Have you tried something different? Let me know if you like it or what you think! I’m always open to trying new things.