This has got to be THE easiest laundry detergent recipe you will EVER come across. :) It’s almost too simple to blog about, but I know some people have never created their own detergent before so here it is!
Easiest DIY Laundry Detergent Recipe EVER
You will need:
2 cups super washing soda
2 cups borax
2 bars of regular (like Ivory) soap, or 1 bar Fels-Naptha
Instructions:
Grate soap (with the very fine section of the cheese grater), add in 2 cups borax and 2 cups washing soda, and stir well for at least 5 minutes. And you’re done!
Tips
Use 1-2 tablespoons of detergent for one load of laundry. This detergent IS safe for the HE washers, because it’s LOW SUDS.
You will find the super washing soda and borax in the laundry detergent aisle. Instead of paying upwards of $.25 a load, you will be paying as little as $.05 a load.
Add dried lavender if you’d like, but I love the smell of the Fels-Naptha bar and this detergent gets our clothes so clean!
*originally posted 8/27/12*
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by SlapDashMom
Jessie - This recipe sounds super easy! How much would you use per load for a front loader?
Jessie recently posted..Nuby Sport Sipper Cup – Perfect For Summer Running Around!
SlapDashMom - I would start out with 1 tablespoon. For heavier/soiled loads, sometimes we use 2. :)
Stephanie Nash - I make our own liquid detergent. I want to make dry because the borax turns it to a gloppy glop in the bottle, lol. We only wash with cold water, will the soap still dissolve in cold water? If it does, I am sooooo doing this tomorrow! Thanks!
Jessie - Thanks! I’m going to try making some this week :)
Jessie recently posted..The Next Step in My Weightloss Journey
SlapDashMom - Yep we used to do the liquid kind and it worked well but it was slimy and gross LOL. We don’t wash in cold water so I haven’t tried it that way. I will try it tomorrow!
Robyn - The recipe we make is simular to this but then its not. Maybe i
I’ll post it sometime but we use 1-2 Tbl for a he front loader and it works just as good for cold water which is what I wash all my clothes on.
Robyn recently posted..Natural healing with Noxicare. {Review & Giveaway}
Stephanie Nash - Thanks! possibly if it is grated with the ultra fine grater it won’t have a problem, since it will have some friction with the clothes. I think it will do better than the liquid. I cannot wait! Thanks! Our wash water isn’t sooo cold. (Our washer is hooked up to the water hose outside! Everything is outside lol. Saves a ton of money, straight to the clothesline. And,,, washing clothes for ten people could be an added septic problem for us if it was inside. We love it. Probably too much info for this post, but I am proud!)
jewels - Awesome post! I will be trying this asap. :)
Robyn- I would love to know yours as well.
Also, does anyone know if it will work for sensitive skin? Thx!
SlapDashMom - My youngest has sensitive skin which is actually why we had to switch to homemade a few years ago. :)
Shan - I make the same- only I always use only one bar of soap. I use 1 tbs per large load (extra capacity top loader) and sometimes 2 for very soiled items (oil, diesel- etc)
Love it! I also love having the ability to customize scents!
Shan recently posted..Food Should Taste Good- Review!
SlapDashMom - What do you use to customize yours with scents? I have used dried lavender before but wasn’t sure what else to use since it was dry.
Molly Turner - what is washing powder? is there a certain brand name i should look for in the store?
SlapDashMom - If you look next to the borax it should be there. It’s called “super washing soda”. Maybe arm & hammer? I will look and see if I can find the box! :D
Raven webster - I am going to the store tonight to get the stuff i already use borax in every load along with my liquid store bought stuff so I am just going to make my own yay thanks can you use any soap such as tone cause it smells so good
Mary - I’ve never tried this before, but I think I will now since we’re trying to cut costs. How does the dried lavender work? Does it just wash away with the rinse water since it won’t dissolve? Do you leave it as buds or do you crumble it into smaller bits somehow? Do you think lemon zest would stain clothes? I know, so many questions, lol..I’m just super excited!! (yeah, I’m a stay at home mom, things like this are the highlight of my day, lol)
Stephanie Nash - I did it! I used a microplane and cold water wash everything. LOVE it!!! Thanks!
SlapDashMom - Yep it crumbles up nicely and there’s nothing left over in the wash! I don’t think lemon zest would stain but I’d test it out first before making an entire batch! :)
Mary - Making my first batch today! Can’t wait to try it out!!
sara - I only wash in cold as well. I have been making my own powdered detergent for over a year and I have never had a problem with it not dissolving. I have used Fels soap, Zote soap and others… never had an issue.
I do have a top loader though. So I put the clothes in, sprinkle the detergent on top and fill with water. All my clothes come out clean with no residue.
**I also add vinegar to a Downy Ball in place of softener. It keeps the static away and helps with stains and whitening.
SAMERA HAZEN - ADD SOME BAKING SODA AND YOUR RECIPE IS PERFECT :)
Pinterest Weekly: DIY Laundry Detergent - [...] when I saw a recipe for DIY Laundry Detergent on SlapDashMom, I just had to try it. It’s only 3 ingredients and it just seemed super [...]
Going Green On a Budget! - [...] harsh chemicals to get the job done. Do it yourself! Sadie from Slap Dash Mom has created her own homemade laundry detergent. Or try this homemade citrus cleaner. Not wanting to make your cleaning products yourself? Just [...]
Mrs.JHR - You can also use Dr. Bronners bar catile soaps that have different fragrances and is way more natural than the Ivory or Fels…
Barbara - Pinning this! :)
DIY Cleaning Recipes - [...] DIY Laundry Detergent [...]
natalie nichols - I do this but I add purex crystals to the mix to make it smell pretty
Bria - Is there anything else you can add for scent?
SlapDashMom - With the liquid detergent I added essential oils, with this stuff I think it smells great without them. :D
Bridget Wright - Thanks for this recipe! I’m definitely going to try making this. Also, another good tip for making and storing the recipe is to get those large, covered buckets from the home stores and make up a couple of batches and store them in the basement or garage. My friends who make their own detergent recipes say that they can last up to a year easily.
Making My Own Clothes Detergent?? Yeah, Why Not?? — Bridget Wright - [...] saw this link and clothes detergent recipe on one of my friends Facebook pages, and I was immediately curious. [...]
Gina Demaree McKee - I process mine through my food processor to make sure it’s really powdery. :) Works a charm.