Making Your Own Laundry Detergent

Author: Rebecca Graf

What are all these ingredients? Okay, you recognize ‘water’ and ‘dyes’ but that’s about it. The other ingredients sound like something found in a secret, secret evil man’s science lab. Do you really want your clothes washed in all that? After all, those very clothes will end up against the skin or you and your family. That changes things.

A good solution is to make your laundry detergent. You save money and you have a more natural way of washing your clothes.

Save Money by Making Your Own Laundry Detergent

Money can flow out of your pocketbook as fast it flows through your washing machine. Laundry detergent is not cheap. The larger your family is the more clothes you have to wash. The more clothes you have to wash, the more money you spend on laundry.

You could save so much money. If your commercial detergent costs you $.75 a load, you could save over half that with your own detergent. Making your own could cost you $.15-.35 per load. That’s a big difference.

A Healthier Alternative to Storebought Detergent

Saving money is great. But some people don’t have money as their focus. They are fixated on living a healthier lifestyle. Many look to commercial detergents that claim to be healthier and greener. But marketing can be misleading. Look closer and your detergent might not be as healthy as you might think.

Have you thought of making your own laundry detergent? It is really simple, saves you money, and is made by you so you know what is really in it. It can last a long time.

Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe

You can make powder or liquid detergent. It depends on what you prefer. The homemade powdered detergent is easier to make, quicker to use, and easier to store.

What you will need:

• Washing Soda – box
• Borax – box
• Fels-Naptha soap – 4 bars
• Fragrance (optional)
• Grater

Directions for Making Homemade Laundry Detergent

When you look online, you’ll find recipes that call for a cup of this and a cup of that. I found that it’s better to mix an entire box of washing soda and borax with 4 bars of soap.

Place the washing soda and borax in a large bowl or bucket pail.

Then, grate 4 bars of Fels-Naptha soap in it.

Mix and store in a large glass jar. A plastic bin would work, too. If you want fragrance, add your favorite fragrance oil as you place the powder into the washing machine.

When doing laundry: You only need a tablespoon in most loads. I do use about ¼ cup on really bad loads from all the sports the kids play or accidents from the pets. It works great and lasts 3-4 times longer than commercial laundry detergent.

Making Liquid Detergent:

If you want liquid detergent, you place the powder in water (1/2 ratio). Let it sit overnight before using. It will gel up and look a little gross but it will work wonders.

With the liquid, you can add your fragrance right in as you make it and not have to do it as you wash.

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If you’re looking to create a healthy environment, you don’t want to forget your laundry. Make it healthy and enjoy wearing clean clothes without all the extra chemicals.