Hey, y’all! As a homemaker, I’m always on the lookout for ways to simplify, save money, and live more sustainably. And let me tell you, making my own laundry detergent has been a total game-changer. Not only does it cost a fraction of what I used to spend on store-bought laundry detergent, but it’s also gentler on my clothes and the environment. Today, I’m excited to share my simple recipe for homemade laundry detergent using just 4 ingredients: baking soda, washing soda, borax, and Fels-Naptha bars.
The Benefits of Homemade Laundry Detergent:
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s talk about why making your own laundry detergent is such a great idea. Here are just a few benefits:
- Cost-effective: Making your own laundry detergent can save you up to 50% compared to buying it at the store.
- Environmentally friendly: Many commercial laundry detergents contain harsh chemicals that can harm our waterways and wildlife. By using natural ingredient, we can reduce our impact on the environment.
- Gentle on clothes: Homemade laundry detergent is often gentler on your clothes than store-bought brands, which means your favorite t-shirts and jeans will last longer.
- Customizable: With this recipe, you can adjust the ingredients to your liking and create a detergent that’s tailored to your specific needs.
The Recipe:
Here’s what you’ll need:
-4 cups washing soda
-4 cups baking soda
-4 cups borax
-2 Fels-Naptha soap bars (grated)
-Essential oil drops (optional)
Instructions:
- Grate the Fels-Naptha bar using a cheese grater or a food processor. This will help is dissolve more easily in water.
- In a large bowl, mix together the washing soda, borax, baking soda, and grated fell-naptha bars.
- Store the mixture in a container, such as a glass jar with lid or plastic bucket.
Using Your Homemade Laundry Detergent:
To use your new detergent, simply scoop out 1-2 tablespoons (depending on the size of your load) and add it to your washing machine with your dirty laundry.
You an adjust the amount based on your person preference and the size of your loads.
Tips and Variations:
- If you have hard water, you may need to adjust the recipe accordingly. You can add an extra 1/2 cup of washing soda to help combat mineral buildup.
- If you prefer a scented detergent, you can add 10-15 drops of your favorite essential oil to the mixture before storing it.
- You can also customize this recipe by adding other natural ingredients, such as oxygen bleach or soap nuts, to enhance its cleaning power.
The Cost Breakdown:
One of the best things about making your own laundry detergent is the cost savings. Here’s a rough breakdown of what you can expect to pay for the ingredients.
- Washing soda is approximately $8-12 a box- with 55 oz in a box and you’ll use about 48oz that is equal to 4 cups.
- Bakings soda cost $5-8 per bag, you’ll use close to one bag with 4 cups.
- Borax is $10-15 per box and you’ll use close to the entire box with 4 cups.
- Fels-Naptha bars are between $1-2 and you’ll need 2 for this recipe.
The Total Cost:
- Washing Soda: $8-12
- Baking Soda:$5-8
- Borax: $10-15
- Fels-Naptha Bars: $2-4
- Total-$25-39
How Many Loads:
- 1 tablespoon of detergent is used per load (you can adjust this based on your washing machine and laundry needs).