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Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Homemade Laundry Detergent

A long, long time ago I started making homemade fabric softener. I am still using this, although I don't use it as fabric softener - I use it as dryer sheets, by dipping a rag into it, wringing it out and tossing it in the dryer with each load. Ever since I made that, I had planned on making homemade laundry detergent when I ran out of the store bought stuff that I had. I had all the supplies on hand to make it, but I didn't need to start until a few weeks ago because first my mom bought a high efficiency set and gave me a few containers of detergent that she couldn't use and then my aunt did the same. I ended up with about a year's worth of free laundry detergent, which was great. Thanks Mom and Shelley!

A few months ago, though, I came to the end of this supply so I decided it would be a great time to try making my own. I put together a small batch, so I could see how I liked it. I made enough to last about a month and was quite pleased with the results, so this time, I made four times as much, so that it will last me quite a bit longer in between making batches. It is so cheap and easy to make. The only tedious part is grating the soup. But, I just do it while watching TV (or better yet, ask the FD to do it for me) and it's no problem at all!

It cost me between $10-15 to buy all the ingredients (a large box of borax, a large box of washing soda, and a bulk package of Ivory soap) and this will give me enough to make at least 5 batches of detergent (based on 2 bars of ivory per batch, 10 bars in the package). At that point, I will still have lots of borax and washing soda left but I will need to restock on bar soap.

What you will need:

Homemade Laundry Detergent - from Tereasa and Taryn
2 cups Borax
2 cups Washing Soda
4 cups finely shredded gentle soap - I use Ivory (One shredded bar equals approx. two cups)

Mix all ingredients together in a large air tight container and store in your laundry room.

I use two tablespoons of the mixture per large load and one tablespoon for a small load.

13 comments:

Lucky in Love said...

You are unbelievable. Who would even think to do this? Um, no one Only you :)

Brooke said...

i love that its working for you. after my homemade fabric softener fiasco i'm scared to try anything else like this

Jessica McCoy said...

That is awesome! Does it get out stains pretty good?

This Texas Momma said...

I've heard of people doing this, I just never knew how! What do you keep it in?

Penny said...

Wow, that is so cool!

Jackie said...

I've made it too. I hope you love it and that it works for you. It worked for us when my husband worked in an office, but now with working in restaurant management, the stains just were NOT coming out when using the homemade stuff. I was extremely disappointed at having to buy detergent again because the homemade kind is so inexpensive. Best of luck with yours. :)

Mandi @ Sweetly Home said...

This sort of detergent would be so awesome to use right now as we are really watching our pennies. But we have an HE washer and dryer so I just don't think we can. Boo. :( I was one of those who had to give my detergent away.

Taryn said...

Yeah you! I am happy you made it. Are you liking it?

P.S. I read the other comments and they asked about stains. I still have to pre-treat stains- but I did that with regular detergent too. Do you?

Gina said...

I have some stupid questions. Is it hard to find washing soda? And how do you shred the soap?

Brittany Ann said...

You are too good!

jenn said...

i've been wanting to do this forever. now you've inspired me. :)

katie said...

Ohh, I'm going to have to do this!

Kate said...

This is a great idea. I will have to try that, along with the dryer sheet idea.