Is This Really Worth It?

[Deleted]

I was considering making my own laundry detergent. Has anyone done this? Is it worth it? Does it work?

[cavia]

I did it and it did work. Then my thyroid failed and I had trouble cooking for myself let alone make detergent. I'll probably go back to making my own just to use up the remaining *ingredients*. Not sure if I'll continue after that.

[Deleted]

I've considered it, but 1- I don't have time, 2- we all have sensitive skin so I'm worried it would irritate, 3- I've found that if you follow the sales and clip coupons you can get good detergent pretty cheap.

[whoisjohngalt]

Do you want to do it to save money or bc you don't like the crap they put in regular detergents? Even though my DH would never let me do it, I could totally see myself getting away with just using baking soda and vinegar. Vinegar is an excellent disinfectant and baking soda has "whitening" qualities.

Lena

[phil5185]

I was considering making my own laundry detergent. Has anyone done this?

Of course, where do you think soap came from before it was commercially available?

When we butchered a hog, my mom & g-mom gathered up the lard (fat) in pails. They had a tub over a fire in the back yard where they rendered the lard. Then it was mixed with lye and a few other things, poured into a shallow pan, dried, and cut into bars (kinda like cutting a pan of brownies). This was during WW2.

As to is it worth it? - not in 100 yrs, modern soap is cheap, available, convenient, and vastly superior.

[dancinmama]

Jan 14, 2011 21:29:36 GMT -5 @thecropchick said:

I was considering making my own laundry detergent. Has anyone done this? Is it worth it? Does it work?

Are you a couponer at all? Each brand tends to put out a REALLY GOOD coupon once or twice a year. Wisk had one out not too long ago for $2 off/bottle. All does the same thing from time to time. Both offer HE and Free and Clear types.

I agree with RoseGarden, if you look for a high value coupon and then watch the sales you can usually get it pretty cheaply.

I have several bottles of laundry detergent in my laundry room. Now, I don't buy it unless I can get it for free or pretty close to it.

[Deleted]

Jan 14, 2011 23:13:46 GMT -5 whoisjohngalt said:

Do you want to do it to save money or bc you don't like the crap they put in regular detergents? Even though my DH would never let me do it, I could totally see myself getting away with just using baking soda and vinegar. Vinegar is an excellent disinfectant and baking soda has "whitening" qualities.

Lena

I want to see if it's really cost effective.

[Deleted]

Jan 14, 2011 23:48:35 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Jan 14, 2011 21:29:36 GMT -5 @thecropchick said:

I was considering making my own laundry detergent. Has anyone done this? Is it worth it? Does it work?

Are you a couponer at all? Each brand tends to put out a REALLY GOOD coupon once or twice a year. Wisk had one out not too long ago for $2 off/bottle. All does the same thing from time to time. Both offer HE and Free and Clear types.

I agree with RoseGarden, if you look for a high value coupon and then watch the sales you can usually get it pretty cheaply.

I have several bottles of laundry detergent in my laundry room. Now, I don't buy it unless I can get it for free or pretty close to it.

No, don't clip coupons. I don't see the logic of spending money to buy a news paper to buy coupons to save money at the store. Stores in my area don't accept internet coupons.

[MN-Investor]

I would have to really be pinching pennies and doing a lot of laundry to even consider this. In the grand scheme of things, laundry products are a minuscule percentage of my total budget. And the thought of having to not only re-do laundry because I didn't have a good recipe, but then having to throw out the soap I made and find and try another recipe is just a headache I don't need. Cold water Tide does a perfectly good job for me. I'll continue to use purchased laundry detergent and save pennies in other places.

[readsalot]

I agree with a coupon and a sale you can get some really good deals. I wouldn't make my own.

[illinicheme]

I agree with MN-Investor. Laundry detergent barely registers for me when looked at as an annual expense. It's not worth it to me to make my own.

[dancinmama]

Jan 14, 2011 23:59:10 GMT -5 @thecropchick said:

Jan 14, 2011 23:48:35 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Are you a couponer at all? Each brand tends to put out a REALLY GOOD coupon once or twice a year. Wisk had one out not too long ago for $2 off/bottle. All does the same thing from time to time. Both offer HE and Free and Clear types.

I agree with RoseGarden, if you look for a high value coupon and then watch the sales you can usually get it pretty cheaply.

I have several bottles of laundry detergent in my laundry room. Now, I don't buy it unless I can get it for free or pretty close to it.

No, don't clip coupons. I don't see the logic of spending money to buy a news paper to buy coupons to save money at the store. Stores in my area don't accept internet coupons.

cropchick: I TOTALLY understand. I am in no way trying to convince you about coupons, because they're not for everyone; BUT usually the local newspapers (not major metro) cost $1 and the value of the coupons inside far exceeds that - especially those for non-eatables (shampoo, toothbrushes, soaps and household cleaners, paper products, deodorant, etc.)

I will admit, however, that some of the better deals require multiples of the same coupon so one set of Sunday coupon inserts can help a little; but this is one area where more is usually better.

[bobbysgirl]

Jan 14, 2011 23:18:51 GMT -5 phil5185 said:

I was considering making my own laundry detergent. Has anyone done this?

Of course, where do you think soap came from before it was commercially available?

When we butchered a hog, my mom & g-mom gathered up the lard (fat) in pails. They had a tub over a fire in the back yard where they rendered the lard. Then it was mixed with lye and a few other things, poured into a shallow pan, dried, and cut into bars (kinda like cutting a pan of brownies). This was during WW2.

As to is it worth it? - not in 100 yrs, modern soap is cheap, available, convenient, and vastly superior.

PHIL: I think the 'modern' way is to use borax, washing soda and one other ingredient I can't think of.

[Frugal Nurse]

I'm with the couponers- making my own laundry soap would be more expensive than getting it free/ dirt cheap with coupons. I have very sensitive skin so I only buy the "free and clear" varieties of detergent, and I still get the name brand stuff for $1.00/bottle or less. I would spend more than that on the ingredients alone for home made laundry detergent. Then factor in the time, the unknown results...nah, I'll cut my bottom line in other areas.