Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Homemade Laundry Detergent

I've been intriqued with all the tutorials on making your own laundry detergents on blogs lately. I never really thought I'd make my own because I like my Tide and I want my laundry to smell good and it just seemed like more bother than worth.
When I saw this recipe on the Stonegable blog with the addition of Downy Unstopables, I knew if I was going to make my own this would be the recipe I try. Unfortunately that addition also raises the price to make this greatly! The Unstopables are a scent booster and won't make a difference in how clean your laundry gets.So omit them if you like.
 I found all the ingredients needed at Walmart in the detergent aisle and cost me just over thirty three dollars. Fourteen of that was the Downy Unstopables so you can see where that makes a big difference in your price.

1~ 4lb 12 oz box of Borax
1~ 4 lb box of Arm And Hammer Baking Soda
1~ 3 lb 7 oz box of Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda
1~ 3lb  container Oxy Clean
4 bars Fels Naptha Soap, grated
2 containers Downy Unstopables
Note: Arm and Hammer Washing Soda is not Arm and Hammer detergent. At my Walmart, the Borax, Baking Soda and Washing Soda were stocked together.
Mix everything together. A heavy duty garbage bag works well. Put into smaller containers. Use 1 Tbsp for small loads and 2 Tbsp for large loads. Safe for HE washers too.
This make a huge amount so I think the next time I will make make a half-batch.
I was very satisfied with how this detergent worked.  My whites were whiter and my laundry smells so good and looks very clean. I will definitely make this again and maybe try to watch sales and use coupons to get the price down.

2 comments:

  1. I definitely want to try this. The jar you gave for Gladys' birthday looked so pretty. Anything that helps whites look whiter is a good thing. I think I first have to buy bridal shower gifts and wedding gifts before I embark into soap making.

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  2. You want to be very careful breathing the vapors it is very high on the ph scale. Making it in a large garbage bag I would not recommend but you have a BEAUTIFUL blog!

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