Frugal Friday- The Laundry Edition, Part A
I have been very excited to share my new discovery with everyone. In a sense, it’s sad because really, who gets that excited over laundry detergent? Apparently, me. That should about say a lot about how riveting my life is on a over all basis. (Really, I wouldn’t change it though!)
After a few years worth of frustration over environmentally safe detergents that don’t work and cost a week’s worth of pay, I decided to do some research. There seems to be very few different recipes online for laundry detergent and some involved mixing, boiling, and stunts short of needing a scientific lab. I think we have determined before- I am lazy. I don’t want to commit myself to something that takes a lot of work.
So in typical boogie fashion I decided to take a little bit of this and a little bit of that from all the sites and create my own. Middle of the road it, in a sense. I have been using my detergent for 3 weeks now, along with my homemade fabric softener and stain remover and I am loving it! Actually, I am getting ready to make some more.
Here is the detergent recipe:
- 4 bars of ivory soap
- 8 ounces of borax
- 8 ounces of washing soda (different from baking soda or baking soda laundry detergent)
- about 1/2 ounce of essential oil
Finely grate the soap. I used a veggie grater, but think you could probably use a food processor too. (The first time I did not grate small enough and it almost clogged my detergent cup- be careful.) Add borax and washing soda and mix. Add the essential oil; mix again.
I am keeping my detergent in a recycled plastic bucket that has a cover. Use about 1/4 cup per heavy load. This detergent is safe for HE washers.
I had a little bit of a difficult time locating the washing soda. I have read that this stuff is supposed to be in a regular grocery store, but I gave up on trying to locate it and ordered mine online from Soaps Gone Buy. They also sell the borax too, although I found my borax in the laundry section of my grocery store.
With the essential oil, you can once again experiment to see what you like best. A lot of sites I read 
One thing I should mention, for those of you who have a strong sense of smell, this detergent may smell very strong before use. I was a little hesitant after mixing it all together. I found though, that the clothes come out smelling clean and not too perfumey at all.
I hope you will give this a try. It is earth friendly and so cheap and EASY to make. My kids actually begged to help with the grating. AND this stuff really works! My husband, who was my main chief complainer on the other laundry detergents not working throughly, has not made one complaint about this homemade detergent. That right there, says a lot!
Next week, I will be giving my recipe for my fabric softener and stain remover, both which compliment this detergent perfectly…
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17 Responses to “Frugal Friday- The Laundry Edition, Part A”
August 17th, 2007 at 10:28 am
Very cool… I am a little hesitant about “safe for HE washers” I spent so much money on my machines, I’d hate for anything to happen to them.
August 17th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
I have an HE washer and everything has been fine. The thing with HE washers is you need low sudsing. This stuff barely suds at all.
August 17th, 2007 at 5:32 pm
cinnamon! yummy!!!
I love GREAT smelling laundry!!
August 17th, 2007 at 6:30 pm
You rock, you know that don’t you? Just think of it as SAHM Science Experiments!
August 18th, 2007 at 8:33 pm
I just read an article with a very similar recipe, and I do plan on making some. I love citrus-y smells, so I’m going to use lemon or grapefruit. But doesn’t the oil stain clothes?
August 19th, 2007 at 7:07 pm
I have a recipe for the soap as well. Without the oil, tho. I have actually been waiting to try it until I used up all my regular detergent. Now is the time. I will have to post about it when I make it! I am still very curious about your dishwasher detergent recipe……
August 19th, 2007 at 7:31 pm
I was thinking the same thing when I put the oil in, but it is such a small amount compared to the detergent, that I think it doesn’t make a difference. It is a natural oil too so it’s more apt to break down with the soap. I haven’t had any problems with it at all.
Dishwashing detergent recipe will be coming the week after next
I am still doing some minor tweaking and am waiting for an ingredient to come in the mail.
August 20th, 2007 at 9:14 am
Oh, I am way lazier than you! Grate? Holy cow! I might think about the stain remover if there’s no grating involved because I can’t find anything that works on the dirt my kids make!
September 10th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
i just followed the link to this one from frugalmom’s post on the same. i think i’ll order the washing soda too cuz i’ve never seen it on a store shelf. i think i’ll forgo the essential oil. i love lavendar but baby bliss can’t stand it and she’ll be helping me make it.
thanks for the info!
September 13th, 2007 at 8:05 am
Cinnamon! MMMm… that sounds wonderful! If you can find a used foodprocessor it is much faster and makes it powdery!
There are always mixed reviews on home made soaps. I have them for commercial soaps and went as far as calling the companies and inquire. Much is dependent on your water type. In my dishwasher, power cascade works wonderfully, liquid cascade, I may as well use nothing. So ladies, it’s not that the recipe is better or worse than another in your clothing results, it’s if it WORKS with your water! I’ve had moderate success with homemade
I’d LOVE to have yummy smelling laundry but our city water is really hard, and I haven’t found the right “blend” yet.
October 8th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
[…] it’s fun to make. I save the leftover pieces of bar soap and make them into hand soap. (I have even been doing this with the leftover pieces from making laundry detergent!) It is cutting down on having to spend money on special hand wash, and also reducing the plastic […]
October 21st, 2007 at 3:56 pm
[…] Essential Oil: seriously, I should just buy stock in this stuff. I get mine from my local health food store, but have thought about ordering some online at, yup, you guessed it… Amazon. […]
October 21st, 2007 at 4:15 pm
[…] day has arrived. A little dramatic, I know. It did seem that many of you were not digging on the idea of grating soap and all, but were a little more interested in getting the recipes that only required mixing. I […]
February 1st, 2008 at 11:37 pm
I am just getting into all this natural cleaning stuff and wanted to pass on a website I found that has “washing soda” also know as soda ash or sodium carbonate. The price seems right. They have many other interesting things but I haven’t had a chance to thoroughly explore. The site is chemistrystore.com.
You can also buy soda ash at a swimming pool supply store. I appreciate all the info I have found here. Thanks!
February 8th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Washing soda is sold at Publix, if you have those in the area. They also sell Fels-naptha in bars. If you can’t find it in the market try pH Up (sodium carbonate) available at Home Depot in the pool section (increases pH)
March 21st, 2008 at 8:21 pm
My eyes went right for the words essential oils. While doing research on the all natural skin productis that I sell I learned the difference between Essential Oils and Fragranced Oils. For those who don’t know Fragrance Oils are synthetic and Essential Oils are all natural.
March 26th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
[…] almost silly, is destined to be a catalyst for change and a positive step in a new direction. No grating, no vinegar. You can do […]