Make Your Own: Laundry Detergent

This is the first post in a series of posts I’m calling “Make your own”.

I want to share some of my favorite things that I use around my house… things I’ve made by myself to either cut out the junk in what we eat, or the chemicals in what I use, or simply to save money.

So be sure to check in every Monday and Thursday for the next few weeks to see what I have in store for you.

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So far, my VERY favorite “make your own” item has been my laundry detergent.

Now, before you go thinking I’m crazy, let me tell you… this is EASY!!! And super cheep. And it works.

I love it!

This recipe comes from Kami at Sweet Charli.

I bought all of my supplies at Wal-Mart, so if you can find a Wal-Mart, you can find these things:

Here’s what you’ll need:

1 Cup Washing Soda {$3.24 per box}

1 Cup Borax {$3.38 per box}

1 Bar Fels Naptha {$.97 per bar}

You’ll barely make a dent in your washing soda and borax supply. These containers will make more than a few loads.

Grate your Fels-Naptha with your cheese grater.

And mix it, with your washing soda and borax, together in your blender.

And stick it in a cute container.

You’ll only need 1 TABLESPOON per load, or two if it’s big.

I doubled the batch and I’ve been using it for a few weeks. This stuff really works and it will last you forever!

Come back on Thursday and I’ll show you how I made my own Fabric Softener!

13 Comments

  1. I heard about this recipe a while ago and have been wanting to try it when I run out of my stock of laundry detergent. I’m going to put a drop of two of essential oils (lavender, probably) to give my laundry a nice scent.

  2. Well great…now your cheap-o sister is going to feel guilty if I ever buy detergent again! Guess I’ll have to try it! Thanks for the tips.

  3. When I run out I am going to try this. I remember Kami saying that it worked really good on whites. Thanks for sharing.

  4. Hi, I have a couple questions about your laundry soap. Can you use this recipe with a high efficiency washer? And if so, do you use that same amount per load? And also, where do you buy your fels naptha? Thank you so much for the recipe. I really would like to try it! Have a great day!

    1. Allison, yes! You can use this in a high efficiency washer! I would use the same amount- 1 tablespoon, unless you have a larger load, or a very dirty load.

      I got my Fels-Naptha from Wal-Mart, but you can get it at most grocery stores.

      If you make it, let me know how it works in your HE washer!

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