Homemade Laundry Detergent

I don't know how only two people produce so much laundry! Every weekend, the hampers are overflowing on to the floor. We will do around 4-5 loads each week. Seriously, that's just embarassing! Well, I've found a way to put at least $80 back into the budget each year (not a huge amount, but that's 2 extra date nights or a J Crew dress).


In an effort to be more responsible with the environment and my wallet… I was inspired to make my own laundry soap! I found this great recipe for it in a blog that love. It's safe for HE washers, and the recipe is super quick and easy! No added chemicals, stain fighters-- what more could you ask for??


These are the ingredients:

• 1 bar of Zote soap
• 1 bar of Fels-Naptha soap (can use Ivory soap instead)
• 4 cups borax
• 4 cups washing soda

I had never heard of most of the ingredients, so I was a little nervous about finding them. I went to amazon, and it was going to cost $20+ just to ship some soap! That wasn't going to work, so I just looked at the stores near me for the items. I found the Zote at Walgreens, and I found the rest at Publix in the household cleaning aisle next to the laundry soap.

This was my shopping receipt:
Fels-Naptha ($.99)
Borax ($3.99 for 76 ounces)
Washing Soda ($2.29 for 55 ounces)
Zote ($.79)

I also needed a hand grater to grate the soap and a container (at least 10 cups) for the laundry detergent to live in. I got both at Dollar Tree for $1 (duh).

Grate the bars of soap. Combine with borax and washing soda. Store in air tight container. Use 2 Tablespoons of powder per load.

Note: It has a slight scent, but you can also add some essential oils (lavender, lemongrass, etc.) for added scent!

So here is how it is economical!
5 ounces Fels Naptha… $.99
32 ounces (4 cups) Borax… $1.68
32 ounces (4 cups) Washing Soda… $1.33
14 ounces Zote… $.79
equals... $4.79 for 83 ounces of laundry powder or 166 Tablespoons

you can do 83 loads of laundry/ batch for only $.05 per load!

If I decide that I really like this, I will buy more things in bulk which will make it even more economical! I heard a lady say that she makes it for $2/batch.

Compare to 50oz bottle of Tide that advertises 32 loads for $12. That's $.38/load!



On a related note, I've also been reading up on using white vinegar for fabric softener. But I don't know if I'll be parting with my Suavitel... love it!