Homemade Laundry Detergent

Daphne2002's Note:

Make your own laundry detergent! This is really easy and really does save money! Great for people with allergies or fragrance sensitivity. This lasts a long time!

• Total Time: 35 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 80 loads ( ...

• 1 bar bath soap , grated (your favorite brand, fels naptha is great)
• 1 cup arm & hammer super washing soda laundry detergent (a laundry booster)
• ½ cup borax
• hot water

Directions:

1. Place grated soap in a pot.
2. Cover with water and simmer over medium heat until all soap is melted, stirring occasionally.
3. Pour into 5 gallon bucket.
4. Add washing soda and borax.
5. Add enough hot water to fill the bucket.
6. Stir (I use a long measuring stick, but any long stick will work).
7. Let sit overnight to gel.
8. Use 1 cup per load.
9. (You can pour this into old detergent containers or leave in the bucket. Please cover with a lid if leaving in the bucket to protect children and pets.).

Reviews

[carolyn lynch]

I will never buy laundry detergent again. I have made 2 batches since the day this recipe was posted. The first, I used baking soda like the last reviewer and it did a good job but didn't gel up. The second I did exactly like the recipe and it is super. I have terrible water even with a water softener and so laundry is somewhat frustrating but our clothes were so clean with this and talk about removing odors from horrible socks! With 6 active people in this house (including 2 teenage daughters) this lasts so long. This is great. THanks

[Neophyte in USA]

This does work well. Honestly, I don't know why anyone doesn't make this versus buying the stuff from the store. The store products will take the colors out of your clothes because they have additives in them, like ash. Look up the ingredients online---it's not the best stuff in there. FABRIC SOFTENER: You know those little plastic balls you are supposed to put liquid fabric softener in so during your spin cycle it spins out onto your clothes? Put some white distilled vinegar in it. It will soften your clothes without the smell. And here's another tip: If you get static cling, wad up some aluminum foil and toss it in your dryer when you dry your clothes----it takes the static cling out of your clothes!

[Sully7]

This works very well and so cheap! My husband didn't even notice that I was using something different. I think it rinses cleaner than regular laundry detergent. The washing soda is a bit hard to find but it is well worth the effort!