Homemade Laundry Detergent

[pbmom]

I haven't bought laundry detergent in over a year (thanks to coupons) and I have a hard time spending the crazy amounts on it. So I'm thinking of making my own. Has anyone done this? Did you like it or not and any suggestions?

[thyme4change]

I don't really track how often I buy laundry detergent.  How much does it really cost for a full year of laundry?  If I do 3 loads per week and I use Gain, it would cost $30 per year in laundry detergent.  How much savings do you need to really make an impact?  

[Sam_2.0]

I make my own. Just did it two weeks ago. Made enough to do 600 loads for $30. Usually I split a batch with mom or sis but I kept it all this time. I do the 2c borax, 2c washing soda, 1 bar zote recipe. I dont add in scents and only put oxyclean in the loads that need it.

For my mega batch its 3 boxes washing soda, 2 boxes borax, 9 bars zote. Pink zote is best at whitening since the violet counteracts yellowing. The powder smells like citronella but once the clothes are washed and dried there is no scent. I just blend the bars of soap up with the powder to make sure its mixed well. I use about 2T per load and this mega batch should last us almost two years.

Its not so much for the savings, although it is cheaper, but the detergent is good for those with sensitivities to dyes and fragrances, its good on all types of clothes, gets out stains well, and its just fun to make

Sent from my SM-G900P using proboards

[pbmom]

I'm a single woman with two dogs so being able to wash hundreds of loads for around $15 is definitely cost saving for me. 

[kittensaver]

I make my own - been doing it for about 10 years. I have MCS so chemicals are a huge issue for me. When I walk into the front door of a conventional grocery store I can immediately smell the detergent aisle. I try to stay as far away as possible from it so I don't have a reaction. I clean my house and my clothes (and my car) with baking soda, vinegar, washing soda, castile soap, essential oils, etc. But of course, YMMV.

A quick Google search will yield you a head-spinning number of laundry detergent recipes. You will probably need to experiment until you find a formula you like. The one I like is similar to Sam_2.0 's, but I learned (at least for me) that over time soap does not clean as well as detergent (the whites turn dingy and yellow). So I substitute Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds (a detergent) for the bar soap in my recipe.

Send me a pm if you want the recipe. Its consistency is crumbly and powdery-damp, kind of like the detergents "in the good old days" (lol) before manufactures started adding so many additional chemicals to try and fiddle with the "consumer visual and tactile appeal."  

[Chocolate Lover]

I use this one because the powdery ones would put off a little puff of themselves every time I opened the container and it made me gag.


www.budget101.com/content.php/4075

I recently bought some regular fragrance free detergent because DD was complaining of itching and wanted me to try switching. 

[alabamagal]

Making it at home costs $0.05 per load.  If you like the product and don't want the fragrances that is fine.  I have 2 methods of getting cheap laundry detergent

1) I work for a company that makes commercial laundry products.  We don't do the powders here, but sometimes I can get a large package of powdered laundry detergent that is returned.  I got a 50 lb bucket that was good, lasted me probably 5 months.  The more recent one is crappy, clumpy stuff and had to throw it out.

2) I buy Xtra laundry detergent on sale.  Usually $1.99 for 30 loads (6.6 cents per load), but it was on sale a couple weeks ago at both CVS and Walgreens for $1.49 for 30 load (less than 5 cents per load).  I got 3 which should last a couple of months (less laundry with no kids at home).  I just keep an eye on the sales when I am getting low.

[Sam_2.0]

Oct 15, 2014 12:14:17 GMT -5 alabamagal said:

Making it at home costs $0.05 per load.  If you like the product and don't want the fragrances that is fine.  I have 2 methods of getting cheap laundry detergent

1) I work for a company that makes commercial laundry products.  We don't do the powders here, but sometimes I can get a large package of powdered laundry detergent that is returned.  I got a 50 lb bucket that was good, lasted me probably 5 months.  The more recent one is crappy, clumpy stuff and had to throw it out.

2) I buy Xtra laundry detergent on sale.  Usually $1.99 for 30 loads (6.6 cents per load), but it was on sale a couple weeks ago at both CVS and Walgreens for $1.49 for 30 load (less than 5 cents per load).  I got 3 which should last a couple of months (less laundry with no kids at home).  I just keep an eye on the sales when I am getting low.

Check Dollar General for coupons on the Xtra detergent. They often have $.50/1 coupons. Paired with the drugstore sales its crazy cheap.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using proboards

[Plain Old Petunia]

Oct 10, 2014 8:56:19 GMT -5 Sam_2.0 said:

I make my own. Just did it two weeks ago. Made enough to do 600 loads for $30. Usually I split a batch with mom or sis but I kept it all this time. I do the 2c borax, 2c washing soda, 1 bar zote recipe. I dont add in scents and only put oxyclean in the loads that need it.

For my mega batch its 3 boxes washing soda, 2 boxes borax, 9 bars zote. Pink zote is best at whitening since the violet counteracts yellowing. The powder smells like citronella but once the clothes are washed and dried there is no scent. I just blend the bars of soap up with the powder to make sure its mixed well. I use about 2T per load and this mega batch should last us almost two years.

Its not so much for the savings, although it is cheaper, but the detergent is good for those with sensitivities to dyes and fragrances, its good on all types of clothes, gets out stains well, and its just fun to make

Sent from my SM-G900P using proboards

I'm going to talk to my allergy doc about it and my annual appointment next month.   Thanks, Sam.  

[Jaguar]

I know where to go for Dr. Bronners Sal Suds in Kensington Market downtown.