Home made laundry detergent

[mawhite63]

Has anyone ever tried this? I just finished a month test to see if it got our clothes as clean as store bought, and I don't notice any difference. I think it's going to wind up saving us some money in the long run.

The recipe was really simple:

1 cup of Borax
1 cup of Arm & Hammer Laundry Soda
1 bar of natural soap

Finely grate the soap and mix well with the borax and laundry soda. Use 1 tablespoon for regular loads, 2 tablespoons for large or heavily stained loads.



The recipes all said you can use any type of natural soap that's out there - Yardley, Ivory, Dr Brommers, Zuds, etc

The dollar store had Yardley soap in the sale aisle for 3 for $1.00 so that was pretty inexpensive.

Has anyone else ever used this over the long run? How did it work out for you? I still have a few bottles of regular detergent I got from couponing very cheap, but I thought it might be nice to try and be a little more self-sufficient for 2012 and try it in small ways like this.

[mary_k]

Too much work for me. I would rather just spend a couple extra dollars and buy it.

[pirewolf]

I am allergic to too many soaps in order to try that it would take alot of effort and allergy testing. I finally found a good way to do my laundry without having a rash, but cudos to you for coming up with something cheaper. It is a great idea if you have the time and the ability. Good luck with it!

[gamerpeeps]

I tried it in the seventies! Had less cash on hand back then so I tried everything I could to save money. Laundry detergent has so many fillers and the homemade stuff lasted a lot longer. Today, though, it seems to be so much work that I simply buy it. You got me thinking again about homemade things, thanks!

[bowrunner]

It never occurred to me to make my own laundry soap.  I am going to try it though.  Thanks for the directions.

[Gerianne]

There are laundry wash *bleep* that are environmentally friendly - no chemicals.
There are also companies coming out with laundry soap that is chemical free.
If you can't pronounce it, it's a chemical.
I discovered a magnetic laundry system that lasts for over 10 years.
Even brand name soaps have chemicals.
I found a family business in Ohio that makes soaps from nature's resources.

[bessie1111]

I've never really thought of making my own laundry detergent.  One of the persons featured on the Extreme Coupon show made her own laundry detergent.  I didn't pay close attention to that, but you now got me thinking....

[patycake56]

sounds like to much work

[ktheodos]

Interesting idea...no I've never tried it, but thanks for sharing! Not sure if I'll ever make it, but it's good to know...it's one of those "time vs. money" discussions....which one is more valuable to you.

[mawhite63]

It really didn't take any major time. I grated the soap while I was watching TV at night so I wasn't exactly taking time away from anything important LOL

I've got four large bottles of All detergent left over from couponing that I can use if I feel our clothes aren't getting as clean as I'd like, but from what I can tell this is going to be an even bigger saving than the coupons for me. The Borax and Laundry Soda cost $7.00 for two large boxes that should last out the year. One bar of soap is working out to about 30 loads, so I'm estimating it will be just under $11 for an entire year's worth of laundry detergent if I'm happy with how my clothes are turning out.

I think too above the cost savings is just feeling a little more self sufficient.

[CHANEYLAKEGIRL]

It really didn't take any major time. I grated the soap while I was watching TV at night so I wasn't exactly taking time away from anything important LOL

I've got four large bottles of All detergent left over from couponing that I can use if I feel our clothes aren't getting as clean as I'd like, but from what I can tell this is going to be an even bigger saving than the coupons for me. The Borax and Laundry Soda cost $7.00 for two large boxes that should last out the year. One bar of soap is working out to about 30 loads, so I'm estimating it will be just under $11 for an entire year's worth of laundry detergent if I'm happy with how my clothes are turning out.

I think too above the cost savings is just feeling a little more self sufficient.

Self sufficient - I'm trying to go down that road too. Laundry soap is on my list.

[dwggs]

Sounds very interesting ... thank you for the recipe.  Think I will give this a try.

Just a note: 
For my white laundry I add some vinegar (just a little) to make them whiter.
Got this tip from my mom -- it really works.  My dingy whites are dingy no more !!

[tantricia44]

mawhite63~ I'm probably too busy to do all that but it sounds interesting & I might try it when i get a break. Thanks for the recipe/instructions. If it works, I may pass it on to my sister who really has sensitive skin problems. 

[tantricia44]

Sounds very interesting ... thank you for the recipe.  Think I will give this a try.

Just a note: 
For my white laundry I add some vinegar (just a little) to make them whiter.
Got this tip from my mom -- it really works.  My dingy whites are dingy no more !!

dwggs ~ ya, I need something less expensive to whiten my whites. I heard about the vinegar trick but I don't know if it matter on what type to use. Does work with white, vinegar,yellow,apple vinegar....?

[bessie1111]

Sounds very interesting ... thank you for the recipe.  Think I will give this a try.

Just a note: 
For my white laundry I add some vinegar (just a little) to make them whiter.
Got this tip from my mom -- it really works.  My dingy whites are dingy no more !!

How much vinegar do you use?