How to Make your own Laundry Detergent

Are you looking to learn How to make your own Laundry Detergent?

Laundry Detergent, even the ones labeled “free and clear,”  often have additives that bother people with sensitive skin. If you’ve tried many different detergents, it may be beneficial to learn how to make your own.

Here are two different “recipes” for laundry detergent. You may find that one works better with your water to get clothes clean than another.

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Laundry Detergent Recipe #1 (powdered detergent)

Ingedients:

• 2 Boxes Borax
• 3 Boxes Washing Soda (in the laundry section of the supermarket)
• 1 Tub OxiClean

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a large tub that can be covered. It works best if you add a little borax, then a little washing soda, then some oxi-clean, etc. so all of one ingredient isn’t stuck at the bottom.
2. Combine well with a long-handled spoon. This does create some dust when you mix it so you may want to do it outside.

Use about 1/4 cup per load.

Laundry Detergent Recipe #2 (liquid, no borax):

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Washing Soda
• 1 Bar soap, grated finely (Fels-Naptha or Ivory work well)
• Hot Water

Directions:

1. Grate the soap. You can either use a cheese grater, or a food processor works really well for this. Just make sure to clean it really thoroughly before using it to make food!
2. Cover the grated soap with hot water in a large saucepan. Stir constantly on medium heat until melted.
3. In a large pan full of 2 gallons of hot water, add the soap mixture. Stir until mixed well.
4. Add the washing soda and stir until mixed well.
5. Let cool, then store covered in a large container. May have to mix before using, as the mixture will gel.

Use 1/2 cup per load.

Have you tried making your own laundry detergent? Try it! It’s very frugal — you can get an entire year’s worth of detergent (depending on your laundry needs) for just about $30!