Homemade Laundry Detergent

Submitted by Daphne2002

"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!"

 

• Ready In: 35mins
• Ingredients: 4
• Yields: 80 loads (aprox.)

ingredients

• 1 bar bath soap, grated (your favorite brand, fels naptha is great)
• 1 cup arm & hammer super washing soda laundry detergent (a laundry booster)
• 1⁄2 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

[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!

 

[Three Kids Make Me Crazy]

I really like this stuff, though it is a little messy. I made it in a 5 gal igloo container (like the orange ones they use for Gatorade at sporting events) and I was hoping I could use the spicket for it like the 300oz store bought containers. Unfortunately because mine gelled somewhat unevenly I was unable to do that so I just scoop it out with a measuring cup. Works great though, smells clean. I use vinegar for fabric softener. For anyone having problems finding the ingredients they're all available on soapsgonebuy.com at a very reasonable price. Thanks Daphne! EDIT: After a good working over with a slotted spoon my detergent does in fact go through the pour spout. YAY!

 

[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

 

[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!

 

[Kimberly Keller]

I made the liquid version of this recipe two days ago and washed my first load of laundry with it yesterday. My husband is a welder and his work clothes are just nasty at the end of the day. So I thought if this could get those clean then it should work really well on the rest of the laundry. And boy did it work. Not only cleaner, but brighter compared to the ones washed in commercial detergent. Made it in a five gallon bucket, let it sit overnight, then stirred it for about 45 minutes with a giant whisk. I noticed this morning that the soap had started to separate in the containers I poured it into and wondered if anyone else had this problem? Anyway, it works really well and I will be making this again. I'm considering trying this in the powder form next time and then just dissolving what I need in a cup of hot water before adding it to the wash.Update 2/2012 My first batch lasted 7 months!!! I did try the powdered version, it didn't last as long as the liquid and it was a pain to dissolve in hot water before adding to the wash. For those looking for an alternative to fabric softener you really should try vinegar - i fill my softener dispenser cup with white vinegar then dilute it with water. My clothes come out soft and my towels are more absorbent than ever.