I absolutely HATE paying for laundry detergent. Ever since this really awesome deal when we lived in Vermont where after coupons it was FREE and I stocked up for almost a year, it just doesn’t cut it for me to hit the grocery store and pay even $2 for a bottle of detergent. A friend made her own detergent and said it was super easy so I figured I would give it a go. Plus I used cloth diapers and wasn’t happy with the job purchased detergents were doing.That was almost 2 years ago. My cost comes out to approximately $.48 $.21 (I just re-figured the cost) per normal sized bottle of detergent, using the same amounts I used with store bought. The other benefit is that it doesn’t have tons of weird sounding words, fragrances, and I don’t have to worry about it affecting some of my children’s sensitive skin OR asthma.
So, here goes. I have found all of these ingredients in the local Giant but Superfresh and I believe Acme, also carry them. The paint bucket was purchased at Sherwin Williams. I am giving you a single recipe but I make a double batch each time.
Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent
- 1/2 bar Fels Napa soap
- 1/2 cup Borax
- 1/2 cup Washing soda (not to be confused with regular baking soda)
- 10 cups water
- 22 cups cold water
Grate the Fels Napa Bar into a pan with 10 cups water. Heat until soap is dissolved.
Add Borax and Washing Soda and stir until dissolved.
Pour 22 cups (1 gallon, 6 cups) cold water into a 5 gallon pail.
Pour soap mixture into the pail and mix together well.
Let sit 24 hours. Stir before each use as it will congeal.
Use 1/2 cup for top loaders and 1/4 cup for front loaders.
I generally put the mixture into regular detergent bottles and shake before each use. 1 double batch lasts me approximately 6 months for a family of 5. It takes me all of 20 minutes to make since I make each soap batch on the stove separately then mix together in the pail.
I have always had trouble getting stains out of clothes. I found as I used this product some of the old set in stains were coming out over several washings!!!
I also use Borax in the toilet occasionally to get some of the iron build up off from our hard water.
When my daughter got blueberries on a white shirt I scrubbed a little of the washing soda in it and let it set. It pulled it out!!
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