I have found one of the least satisfying way to spend money at the grocery store is buying laundry detergent. It’s so expensive, and often filled with skin irritants, so I experimented with making my own. There are two types of recipes – – a recipe you cook, that turns into a gel, and one that’s powdered. I prefer the powdered detergent because it’s just so easy, and works better in my opinion. I also add essential oil to the detergent, sometimes lavender, other times “clean” scent or lemon. It’s fun to change each time I make a fresh batch.
This recipe makes 13 1/8 pounds of detergent for $15.75. To cut costs, I buy my baking soda in a 14 pound bag for $5 at Costco, and this recipe only uses 4 pounds of baking soda. I also use knock-off Oxyclean to save money. You can use any brand you would like. You may need to find the ingredients at a couple of stores.
I grate the Fels Naptha soap. Then, I add all the ingredients to a large pot or bowl.
I add half of each ingredient, stir, and add the other half. This makes incorporation of ingredients easier. For each load you only need one small scoop, about 2 tablespoons. It may feel like you aren’t adding enough, that little amount really does work, and it’s my opinion the soap companies give you these giant scoops because they want to sell you more soap. But, that’s just me. For $15.75, I have enough to last 8 months, and it takes such little time for such big savings.
2 bars Fels-Naptha Soap
4 pounds baking soda
1 box Borax
1 box washing soda
1 tub of powdered oxygen cleaner
essential oil, if desired
Grate soap, and combine all ingredients.
I love forgathering useful information, this post has got me
even more info!
Yes, you can use this in an HE washer. :)
What about if you have an HE washer/dryer can this be used on them?
Mackezie, thank you so much for your comment! The oxygen cleaner can be left out of this recipe.
Be careful to not use this on wool. The oxyclean type stuff can put holes in your wool (and probably silk and alpaca as well) garments.I’m a knitter, so this is one of those things I keep an eye out for!