Homemade Laundry Detergent

If you've been following me for any length of time or even if you're new here, you will quickly see that I love a good bargain.  I'm all about finding the best product, at the best price. Sure, I'm willing to pay for good products, but when I don't have to and I can still have good quality, you can bet I'll be going that route! This is definitely one of those products!

I've been making my homemade laundry detergent for years.

You can see those other posts here, if you'd like.  The first one was from my very early blogging years... I kinda laugh when I look at it. Thank goodness my photography has improved!🙈  I'm not a big fan of this recipe, it doesn't have all the ingredients I use now. But you'll get a snicker out of it. 😆

DIY Laundry Detergent

Then I improved the recipe back in 2013... Whoa! Wow, time has flown! That one has all the same ingredients as this one I'm now sharing, but in a much smaller quantity, which actually makes it harder to make.  Don't worry I'll explain in a bit! You can see that one here...

DIY Laundry Detergent ~ New and Improved!

The recipe has evolved and improved over time.  But now I make it in one HUGE batch that lasts me over 18 months!  Which I LOVE!  Plus, I've made it even easier to make! It's easier, because there is literally NOTHING to measure! Love that!!

This recipe is a WINNER!

Here are the ingredients... Minus one! Ugh! I can't believe I forgot to put it in the photo!

Baking soda!!! You only need a small box! You can pick up all of these ingredients at your local grocery store.  I shop for them at Walmart and Dollar General for an even better price.

Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe
Safe for HE washing machines

1 (55oz) box Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
1 (65oz) box Borax
1 (16oz) box Baking Soda
3 bars of Fels-Naptha soap
2 (48oz) containers of Oxy Cleaner ( I pick this up at Dollar General for $4.00 a tub!)
2 containers of laundry scent booster beads or crystals (They come in 6.5oz or 15.8oz, it's just scent so you can add as much as you like.  I find that 2-6.5oz is sufficient.)

Cut up the Fels-Naptha soap into chunks and chop in a food processor.  (Hubby thought it was chunks of cheese at first 🤣)  Add approximately a 1/4 cup of Oxy and some booster beads to help the processor grind it up finely.  I try to finely chop all the booster beads with the bars, so that everything is practically in powder form.

Once all three bars are completed, it's just a matter of mixing!

I use a large trash bag, and layer all of the remaining ingredients. Roll it around, mix with your hands, whatever you want to do.  Then I put it in a large container to store it in and use a smaller one near my washer.  It's easy to keep a measuring tablespoon in the container, and measure out 2 tablespoons for each load of wash.

That's it!

All of this added up to $27.35.  It lasted me 1 year and 9 months! What?! Granted, it's just hubby and I.  That definitely makes it wayyyy under $20 a year! Isn't that crazy when Tide detergent can run about $10 for a tiny bottle that will barely do 44 loads?

I usually wash 2-4 loads per week. Don't be hating... I've done my fair share of laundry!  2 kids, both in sports all through high school! This one of the perks of being empty nesters, less clothes to wash! ❤️

Does it take some time to make? Yes, about 30 minutes. But is saves so much in the long run!

Pin for later!!

Blessings!