Saturday, May 29, 2010

The Savings Experiment: Homemade Laundry Detergent

Homemade Laundry Soap

As I have stated many times before, I HATE paying full price for anything. Laundry Detergent is an item that I use a lot of and rarely find a sale/coupons that I can use to get it close to free. Unless you count my "Free Travel Size Tides." I read a GREAT post by Greta over at Friend Family Saving on making your own Laundry Detergent so I decided to give it a try!


Here is the Recipe:

1 bar lightly scented soap (Ivory, Fels Naptha, Zote & Pure&Natural are all commonly used)
1/2 cup washing soda (NOT baking soda)
1/2 cup borax




You have to grate the soap, it took me no time at all! You can also use a food processor which might help it to make it more fine. I don't have a food processor the grater method worked well!

Combine all ingredients and store in an air tight container!

All I did was put them in, snap the lid on and shook!

It was a GREAT workout for my arms and I was able to combine all of the quickly and easily.

Now you use one Tablespoon per load!


Cost Analysis:

Arm & Hammer Washing Soda: $2.99 ($.22 per batch)
20 Mule Team Natural Laundry Booster, Borax: $4.29 ($.23 per batch)
Ivory Bar Soap, Simply Ivory: $.50

Total Cost per 32 load Batch: $.95
Total Cost per 1TBSP load: $.03


Compare that to:
Tide 2x Concentrated, Original 64 loads $12.99 ($.20/load)

Be sure to check out Greta's AWESOME Blog

It had become a new favorite!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't think the powder works as well in HE washers so you would have to use a liquid form. Which essentially is the same thing only adding water! I have a recipe on my blog that I use and I know the Duggars have one on their site because that's what she has (HE washers).

Mary Catherine said...

I never thought about HE washers... Thanks! I'm going to make the liquid in a week or so, I'll try your recipe!