Here is what you need:
-Washing Soda (I used Arm & Hammer)
-Borax
-A bar of soap (I used Fels Naptha)
I purchased all of these at Wal-Mart. Check their laundry detergent aisle or the aisle right next to the detergents. I spent $3.38 on the Borax, $3.24 on the washing soap and 97 cents on the Fels Naptha.
You will also need a grater and something to put the finished product in.
Step 1: Grate the entire bar of soap. I used the largest grate and it worked okay. I may try a smaller grater next time.
Step 2: Combine the grated soap with 1 cup of borax and 1 cup of washing soda.
Step 3: Mix together.
Step 4: Put it in a fancy container with a scoop. Use 1/2 scoop to 1 scoop per load of laundry.
I purchased the glass jar & stainless steel coffee scoop at Wal-Mart as well. The glass jar was $3.97 and the scoop was $1.67.
Note: make sure you grate the soap smaller than I did if you use cold water. I recently made a second batch and it worked better to freeze the bar of soap before grating it.
All three ingredients cost me under $8 and next time I will just need to purchase a bar of soap. The borax & washing soda came in GIANT boxes and they will make a ton of detergent!
Want to make your own liquid detergent? Check out this blogger's recipe.
And another blogger's recipe.
Check out my updated laundry room!
very cool!
ReplyDeleteDoes the grated soap fully break down?
I guess it must :)
This must cost only pennies a load! HUH....
Yup, the soap breaks down just fine. I will try to grate it smaller next time though. I think it is going to cost less than a penny per load.
ReplyDeleteI make the liquid laundry soap. It's wonderful to have something that doesn't smell of perfumes. I've been using it for more than two years. Everyone I know that has tried homemade soap loves it.
ReplyDeleterecipe??
Deletehttp://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/09/making-your-own-laundry-detergent-a-detailed-visual-guide/
ReplyDeletecan you use this on the new front open machines that say GE only?
ReplyDeleteI have heard that you can but I don't have a new machine (unfortunately).
ReplyDeleteI have a front loader and you can use. Homemade soap doesn't foam up like commercial laundry detergents. I got my recipe from here: http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/laundrysoap.htm
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link Amnicon! :)
ReplyDeleteYour welcome! :-)
ReplyDeletethank you so much for this info!! I am definately going to try it! :)
ReplyDeletehow well does this work on very soiled clothes? I have a 7 month old and usually spray Dreft on any stains, but my hubby works a dirty/greasy job...clothes are never clean! Just curious. Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteIt works really well on dirty clothes. My husband works with tar, grease, dirt, gas and a ton of other really disgusting items. I tried it on these clothes and it seems to take out most of the stuff.
ReplyDeleteMy DH is in construction and it works well on his clothes.
ReplyDeleteI make this same recipe but add water, it makes 10 gallons of laundry soap and cost is a penny. I cant see how this recipe saves that much? Or is this just a powder version ?
ReplyDeleteThis is a powdered version. It works just as well as liquid. But without too much work. Ha! I'm lazy when it comes to this kind of stuff.
ReplyDeleteI just made my third batch and I just needed to buy a bar of soap since I still have sooooo much of the other two things left.
I would like to try this recipe for soap out. My only question is, what size scoop are you using?
ReplyDeleteUp North and Cold,
The scoop is small. I would say a tablespoon size. Or a small coffee scoop would work.
ReplyDeleteFor the liquid soap I'm using 1/3 cup
ReplyDelete