Laundry day = laundry soap

Time to do more laundry. There are two things in my life which I know will happen, death and laundry. In order to continue our journey towards decreasing the amount of things which we are dependent on purchasing and decreasing the chemicals we use, we have been making our own laundry detergent for a while now.

This may be common place for most of my friends but for those of my readers who did not know you could make your own, alllow me to enlighten you. Store bought laundry detergent is two things: expensive and full of things I don’t want on my shelf of cleaners. Since I make most of my own cleaners the ingredients needed to make laundry detergent are all on my shelf already.
You will need to buy washing soda, I use Arm and Hammer. Washing Soda is not the same thing as baking soda, it is found in the laundry aisle as well as the second ingredient, Borax. I buy Mule Team (which can also be used to make many other cleaners or used anywhere you need a scouring powder). The last thing is a bar of soap, you can really use any soap but the most widely used are Fels Naptha, Zote or Ivory. I use castile soap as well as organic goats milk soap made by a wonderful friend of mine at the Farmers Market. Optionally you can also add essential oils. I change the ones that I use occasionally but my favorites are grapefruit, patchouli and lavender.
Grate 2 cups of soap, add one cup of Borax and one cup of Washing Soda. Put into a container and use 1 to 2 tablespoons per load. If that seems like too little soap it is because it is pure cleaners. Store bought laundry detergent is full of fillers. The whole process takes me about 10 minutes thanks to a handy grating blade on my food processor.
I spend pennies per load and I have control over what my childrens clothing and bedding get washed in, plus I get a kick out of being dependent on one less thing.

7 Responses to Laundry day = laundry soap

  1. karen sue March 27, 2014 at 12:47 am #

    I made liquid for a while and then stopped when I ran out and was busy. Sheer laziness and it was nice to have a really big batch and not have to buy it all the time. I think I'd like more smell like grapefruit. Fels Naptha is OK, but ….I like citrus smells better

    • farmishmomma March 30, 2014 at 4:54 pm #

      Karen Sue, I have not used the Fels for a few years now. I prefer to use Dr Bronners peppermint or lavendar soap instead 🙂

  2. Anonymous June 30, 2012 at 3:22 pm #

    I'm interested in trying this and adding some essential oils. I was wondering how much to use and when to add them??

    • Crunchy Momma July 1, 2012 at 3:55 am #

      I have never added essential oils to the powder so not sure if that is a good idea or how much to add. You can add a few drops to a washcloth and toss that in the dryer (if you don't line dry) and that is very nice.

  3. Tricia August 8, 2009 at 3:50 pm #

    I buy all the ingredients I need at Publix!! I have heard that you can buy it at Walmart but I avoid that store like the black plague and would not want to support them with my money. You can probably ask your suppermarket if they can order it for you.

  4. Diana August 8, 2009 at 2:59 pm #

    What store do you get your washing soda?

  5. Modest Mama April 7, 2009 at 12:34 am #

    Hey Tricia,How does this soap hold up in an HE washer? Does it get really bubbly?

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