Money Matters | Homemade Laundry Detergent

I hesitate to blog about our use of homemade laundry detergent because, well... it may be pushing the envelope for some of you on what you feel comfortable doing. : ) I was a bit skeptical myself, so if you you are thinking, "Wow! That is weird. I would never do that!", that is okay. : ) I'm not out to make a believer of you, but wanted to share in case any of you have ever thought about it, but haven't had the nerve to buy the materials and try it.

We made our first batch at the beginning of the summer and I wanted to use it for several months before reporting out on my feelings, likes, pros, cons, etc.  

Before I share anymore, let me tell you how this came about. David and I both are very "green" in many areas of our lives. We like knowing what things are made of and, if we can save money making something that works just as well, we have no problem with that. I have always wanted to try to make laundry detergent and I'm not sure why or when the idea first came to me. It may have been when I was pregnant with Harbor four years ago.

In any case, let me clarify for you that we are not making our own detergent because we can't afford to buy a name brand product. We obviously can afford to buy what we need and feel very blessed for that. For me, this is more of a fun hobby. But, that being said, you will save lots and lots of money by making your own! 

For our family of three, the batch we made this summer will last a full year for less than $10.00!

You will need: {follow the links to see more information}

1. A Fals Nepthar soap bar  They cost around $1.12 and we found ours at Wal-Mart

2. A box of borax We found this at Wal-Mart and it was less than $3.00

3. A box of washing soda Also at Wal-Mart for $5.00

4. A large bucket with lid -we bought one at Lowes for $5.00

5. An empty laundry detergent container with a spout

Here is the recipe:

Get your boxes out and ready to go!

Grate the entire Fels Naptha bar until it looks like cheese. : )

This bar smells really citrusy, like lemons and limes and adds a wonderful "Fabreze" scent to your loads.

Put the grated bar in a sauce pan on low heat, cover with water and cook until all the soap dissolves.

In the meantime, measure out 1 cup of the soda and 1/2 cup of borax and drop into the bottom of the empty, clean bucket.

{It is a family affair and I like to pretend we are the family from Little House on the Prairie. Ha!}

Keep a careful eye on your simmering soap bar!

Your house will smell like lemons and limes at this point! Love that fresh, crisp, clean smell!

Add the hot soap/water mixture to the bucket right on top of the borax and soda.

Fill the bucket up to the rim with hot water and stir.

You are almost done with a year supply of laundry detergent

{just like your great grandma would have made it!}

Once well mixed, place the lid on top and let the mixture sit overnight. This gives the chemical compounds a chance to react to one another forming a very powerful, stain fighting detergent.

The next day, use a funnel and a cup to fill your empty detergent container 1/2 way with the soap mixture. Add water to fill it the rest of the way up.

This soap is very light and resembles a gel. Don't be surprised when it doesn't resemble the usual thick, heavy goo we are all normally accustomed to.

Close the bucket back up and refill your old detergent container in equal portions with water as needed.

And there you have it!

Homemade laundry detergent that will last David, Harbor, and I a good year. All for less than $10.00

Our clothes smell fresh, clean, and stains come out just as they did with store bought brands.

Do we have to make it? No, of course not, but I love feeling like I know how.

There is just something magical to me about the lost art of homemaking.

Anyone thinking of giving it a shot?  : )

Have a good weekend!