Makeover Monday – Homemade Laundry Detergent
So as you now know, I got a new washer and dryer. This prompted me to beautify my ugly laundry room, and by beautify I mean de-clutter the shelves.
See that green tub up there? That’s one of my new favorite things. It’s from the Dollar Tree (because I’m cheap frugal like that) and it makes me happy every time I see it.
Let me start by saying that I am not a ‘green’ person by any means, and I am not a crazy couponer. I’m pretty middle of the road, but trying to do much better these days to stretch our pennies. And in that vein, this idea was born. I’m trying very hard to makeover everyday money-suckers that I don’t usually even stop to consider, and laundry detergent definitely fits that bill.
I’ve been using my homemade detergent for about 3 months now and I love it! It smells great and it works just as well as the store-bought kind.
If you’d like to try to make your own laundry detergent, here’s my recipe.
Washing Soda and Borax can both be found in the laundry detergent aisle, usually with the stain treatments, and they are very inexpensive. I also use a bar of Ivory soap, some oxygen cleaner, baking soda, a grater, a container, and a tablespoon.
Grate the bar of soap into your container:
Because I’m me, I bought a grater (also at Dollar Tree) that I use only for this purpose. I know in my head that a dishwasher could clean it, but honestly I could never again grate cheese on a grater that was used for soap. I’m weird like that.
For every one bar of soap, add 1 cup of Borax, 1 cup of Washing Soda, 1/2 cup Baking Soda, and 1/4 cup Oxygen cleaner (if desired). Then I just stir until well combined. I’ve read that others mix in their blender, but again, I’m me. I just can’t do that. Besides, the girls love to make this themselves, so who am I to deny them that pleasure?
The end result:
So easy peasy, it’s cheap, and it works. In fact, it works really, really well. And it only takes 2 Tablespoons per load, so it’s very economical. And yes, I can now attest to it being just fine for front-loaders. I actually researched this and I found several people online saying they’d been using it for a long time (1+ years) in their front-loaders and all was well, so I felt comfortable in proceeding.
Previously I was buying Arm & Hammer powdered detergent because it was the cheapest brand that I felt still did a good cleaning job. Comparing the cost, the Arm & Hammer is about 26 cents per load, whereas my homemade batch costs just a penny per load. I know those pennies don’t sound like much, but to live out my own little version of a Wal-Mart commercial, if your family switched to my detergent that would save you $250 (or more) per year. I saw someone on my Facebook feed stating that it was great to make a 5-month supply of laundry detergent for $2, and I’d have to agree.
So you’re doing something green, saving some money, and giving your kids a fun project all at the same time. Now kick back with a cup of coffee and put those little ones to work!
Oh, and the vinegar in that top picture? My new fabric softener. It works, no it does not make you smell like vinegar, and it also repels lice - a serious plus for any mom of school-age children who lives in fear of that dreaded note from the school nurse.
Happy laundering!
Tags: detergent, DIY, laundry, Makeover Monday
Crafty Stuff, Makeover Monday | Heather February 15, 2010
By melanie, February 15, 2010 @ 12:46 pm
Question: Does bar soap leave a build up on your clothing? I am VERY anti-build up, as found in fabric softeners. I actually prefer my clothing and towels to be a little on the harder side instead of having that too soft/slightly greasy feel? Am I making sense? Thoughts? As you know I’m a greenie, but the thought of build up has prevented me from taking this step.
By Heather, February 15, 2010 @ 1:04 pm
Melanie – I don’t think it leaves buildup, and the clothes definitely don’t have that water-repellant thing that they get from fabric softener. However, the grated bar soap is NOT essential here so you could easily leave it out if you want. While I’m sure it does lend a little extra cleaning power, really it’s added to give some softness and a little fresh scent.
Heather´s last blog ..Makeover Monday – Homemade Laundry Detergent
By melanie, February 15, 2010 @ 2:26 pm
Thanks, Heather. I just might give this a shot!
By Callie, February 15, 2010 @ 3:09 pm
Sounds a lot like what I use. Except I use Fels-Naptha soap, which is a great stain remover. I end up doing my recipe so that I get a liquid, just personal preference. Another great addition is using the “downy ball” in your wash and fill it with white vinegar, it helps to cut down on any residue that might build up in your washer.
I love that fact that I am not the only one that makes my own laundry detergent! I end up spending only .04 cents a load!!! Gotta love that!
By Julie From Inmates, February 15, 2010 @ 4:13 pm
Maybe if I used your recipe for washing powder I might save enough to afford a cool front loading washer/dryer pair. Thanks for the recipe. =)
Julie From Inmates´s last blog ..Ohno! Not Another List!
By Christina, February 16, 2010 @ 12:11 am
I might actually try this.
By Becca - Our Crazy Boys, February 16, 2010 @ 1:03 am
I never even thought about making my own detergent!! I might have to wait a while, though… After the homemade bread, rolls, granola bars, and soup, I might have to slow down a bit before my family sells me on the street corner.
By Elizabeth @ Confessions From A Working Mom, February 16, 2010 @ 9:03 am
At first, I thought, “There’s NO WAY I’d make my own detergent. Where would I find the time?” But then I saw how much you said I could save… that’s pretty impressive! I just might have to give it a try now.
~Elizabeth
Elizabeth @ Confessions From A Working Mom´s last blog ..Just For You February: Make Your Child The Star!
By Amanda, February 16, 2010 @ 7:32 pm
I am completely in love with your new washer/dryer set. It’s more gorgeous than I imagined. Soooooo green with envy….
Amanda´s last blog ..Sweet, sweet baby….
By mary @ simpleGAB, February 17, 2010 @ 10:17 am
Thanks for the great recipe! All the homemade recipes I have seen are for liquid, and I am so not going to stand there and cook my laundry detergent!
Like Callie I will probably sub in the Fels-Naptha, I love that stuff.
By Suzanne, February 19, 2010 @ 9:34 am
Hi there! I came over from Soliloquy’s site
I love this and have been wanting to make it… I think i’ll try this weekend! Thanks for the recipe!
By Becky, May 26, 2010 @ 8:19 pm
Do you have any problems with moisture in your pretty green tub? I can’t see a lid on and I wonder about that. I live down here in good ole Mississippi and we have HORRID humidity so moisture control is an issue for me. (I understand the grater just for soap…I would never use my glass measuring cup that I use for bleach for anything else even though I dishwash it!)