Useful extras

March 25, 2009

Make your own laundry detergent

By Kashi Read more daily challenge, eco-friendly, frugal living, home life, living responsibly, and new ideas
Challenge Yourself for: 24 Hours

Commercial sudsy stuff can cost 30 cents per load – or more, depending on brand and outlet. Homemade, on the other hand, can run as little as 3 cents! Best of all, when you make it yourself you control the ingredients, which allows you to aim for better home air quality, less paper packaging waste, and no toxic fragrances or cleaning agents. Internet recipes abound, generally using some combination of bar soap, baking soda, washing soda, and Borax. Today, challenge yourself to find detergent recipes online and whip up a batch yourself.

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  1. 48_avatar 75

    I have been making my own detergent for about a couple of years now. Through trial end error I have come up with a great liquid laundry detergent that is non irritating, cleans & softens well and smells great for a couple of days after!

  2. User_48
    treeepro5 commented on this. about 1 year ago

    I would love to make my own laundry detergent. But I have a high efficiency washer so I can’t use normal soap or washing powder because they suds up too much. Any ideas??? :)

  3. User_48

  4. 48_christmas_2007_006
    imrose2u commented on this. over 2 years ago

    I was having headaches every day and did’nt know why because I don’t usually have them. I figured out it was the oils you buy with those defusion sticks in them. I threw them out.

  5. User_48
    vwlady54 commented on this. over 2 years ago

    I have been making my own laundry saop for quite a while now…both liquid & powdered. For removing stained collars eg,hubby’s shirts, just pour a bit on collar & rub with a nail brush before washing. When I first starting using my home made stuff, I was AMAZED at the amount of CRUD the commercial stuff had left behind! After a couple of washing with my stuff, our clothes seemed MUCH cleaner & softer. I use scented vinegar in the rinse for fabric softening. A Great book to get on eco-cleaning is : Clean house, Clean Planet by Karen Logan available on Amazon.

  6. 48_l
    Randa86 commented on this. almost 3 years ago

    2 gallons Water (hot)
    1 bar Soap (grated)
    2 cups Baking soda (yes baking soda this time–not washing soda)

    Melt grated soap in a saucepan with enough hot water to cover. Cook on medium-low heat, stirring frequently until soap is melted.
    In a large pail, pour 2 gallons hot water. Add melted soap, stir well.
    Then add the baking soda, stir well again.
    Use 1/2 cup per full load, 1 cup per very soiled load.

    Also, vinegar is good for making whites and colors brighter :)

  7. 48_europe_2_007
    greeners3 commented on this. almost 3 years ago

    Thanks for the recipes! I find the dry detergents to be much nicer to work with than the wet. Thanks again.

    ”...and I shall find some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow…” -Yeats

  8. 48_1229082045a_1_
    CherubAyers commented on this. almost 3 years ago

    I love making my own laundry detergent. It is fun (I love making anything) I would love to share the recipe.

    1 C Borax
    1 C Baking Soda
    1 C Washing Soda (also called soda ash)
    1 Bar Castile Soap (Any castile soap will work, can use Dr.Bronners Magic Soap)

    Grind (or grate with a cheese grater) the soap – the smaller the better. Mix them all together. Use about 3 TBSP per load. It is unsented and workes well on colors and whites. I store mine is an old baby wipes box. Other liquid laundry detergent recipes can be found online (but I find them yucky, lumpy, and you need a lot per load – that mean you need a HUGE bucket to make the stuff, lol). Use vinigar as a fabric sofenter. Good luck and you won’t go back to commercial laundry detergent!

  9. User_48
    moons13 commented on this. almost 3 years ago

    I think with the large family i have this will help save alot of money Thank you

  10. 48_purple_dog
    kagzilla commented on this. almost 3 years ago

    I would love nothing more than making my own laundry soap who has the recipe? Don’t hide it….DIVIDE it! :)

  11. User_48
    bigmama75 commented on this. almost 3 years ago

    scwatersrnc
    I was wondering if you know that one can put this laundry recipe in a front loader and if I should still use a 1/4 cup? Thanks.

  12. User_48
    3eagles commented on this. almost 3 years ago

    Pepsi or Coca Cola are good for getting grease out of clothes.

  13. User_48
    Bonz commented on this. almost 3 years ago

    I use lemon and white vinegar as whiteners .. sun dry, and let the good smells roll!

  14. User_48
    sallysimon commented on this. almost 3 years ago

    Thanks for the recipe scwatersrnc. I have never heard of washing soda or Zote laundry soap. I will look for them. Is Zote anything like Felz napta?

  15. 48_dscn1256
    freema38 commented on this. almost 3 years ago

    I am having a problem posting my progress does anyway have any remedy for this?
    Thank you
    Kelli :)

  16. User_48
    scwatersrnc commented on this. almost 3 years ago

    I have been making mine for years, and it works great. Easy recipe:
    grate up: 3 bars of ivory soap (regular) and 1 bar of Zote laundry soap
    Add 1 cup of washing soda (not baking soda) and 1 cup of borax. Use
    1/4 cup per load. I use a food processor to grind it all into a fine powder.

  17. 48_europe_2_007
    greeners3 commented on this. almost 3 years ago

    I’d also love a “tried and true” formula. Perhaps ‘alambert318’ could share hers/his?

    Today’s quote:
    “What a piece of work is a Man! How noble in reason, how infinite in faculties…”
    Shakespeare

  18. User_48
    sallysimon commented on this. almost 3 years ago

    I love this idea, does anyone have a “tried & true” formula that works? Does it work well on stains? (I have teenage boys :)

  19. User_48
    alambert318 commented on this. almost 3 years ago

    I’ve made my own for about a year…skins allergies improved, smells fresh, naturally softens clothes and safe foe my front loader!

  20. 48_nicole
    ns0127 commented on this. almost 3 years ago

    I have heard that bamboo plants are very good to trap allergens in the air .

  21. User_48
    lilmissy commented on this. almost 3 years ago

    I have been reading all the blogs about making your own laundry soap and would love to try it, however, I have read that both washing soda and Borax are caustic and/or toxic. I dont want to expose myself to these powders on a regular basis until I know the truth about these.

    Does anyone have the facts on these two products??

  22. User_48
    gesch83ag commented on this. almost 3 years ago

    I have a son with repeat spontaneous pneumothorax. It is repeat lung collapses that happen spontaneously. He had a history of asthma but, this condition is congenital. He could never stand any kind of smoke or sprays or fabric dyes. This is just another way to make life better for my family. I wish I would of thought of it sooner. Thanks Kashi.

  23. User_48
    kathyorch commented on this. almost 3 years ago

    Also, everyone should stop using spray air freshners, living house plants clean the air the natural way

  24. 48_05apr017
    puma8149 commented on this. almost 3 years ago

    I very much agree on using all natural products.About a month ago I got really sick,when my Doctor did a lung exray he noticed I have scar tissue on my lungs.He told me it was from using caustic cleaners,like oven cleaner and bleach cleaners.I had no idea this was a possibilty.So I am writing this in hopes of sparing someone else the illness I now have.please be careful with your cleaning supplies