Making the Switch to Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent

I wanted to give a bit of an update on the laundry detergent I use.  I know I like to know how long things like this will last me if I make them myself.  Mainly because I'm an obsessive planner and it comforts me to know when I need to restock different things.

Last May I switched from using homemade powdered laundry detergent to homemade liquid laundry detergent.  I used the tutorial found here.

What was my reason for switching you ask?  For whatever reason my Mom's washing machine wasn't dissolving the powdered detergent as well as mine did.  Instead it was leaving a white powder on my dark clothes forcing me to rewash them.  Which I was not happy about. 

So rather than doing what some people would do and resorting to buying regular detergent I decided to try making my own liquid laundry detergent instead.  It was really easy and I ended up with a 5 gallon bucket full of liquid detergent.  I used Ivory bar soap instead of the Fels Naptha that others use, mainly because I'm cheap and I get the Ivory soap for about $0.60 or less for 3 bars with coupons. 

Now for the big question, How long does a 5 gallon bucket of homemade liquid laundry detergent last a family of 3?   For us it still isn't gone yet.  That's right it's been 9 months and I'm still on the same batch I made back in May of last year and I probably do about 4-5 loads of laundry a week (give or take).  The powder I used to use didn't last near that long and used more ingredients so I'm sticking with the liquid from now on.  You really can't beat the price.  I probably ended up spending less than $5 for the ingredients used in my batch and it's lasted 9 months.  I don't even think I could coupon and get that good of deals with regular store bought detergent. 

So for anyone out there wondering whether or not they should try to make their own and wondering if it will be worth their time......

DO IT!

 

Go to the store, buy what you need, make 5 gallons and sit back knowing you won't have to buy or make any more for a really long time.

Update on Homemade Laundry Detergent and Baby Wipes

I posted about my homemade laundry detergent back on February 7th and to this day  I am still using the same batch I whipped up then, that's almost 2 months and with a 5 month old I do at least 1 load of laundry a day usually 2 including cloth diapers.  I have had no issues with stains coming out, none that I wouldn't have with any other detergent.  I have a tendency to forget to use a stain treatment on the many bibs my little one gets bright orange carrots on, but I consider that my fault due to lack of attention to details. 

I am just now getting to the end of my batch, probably still have at least 5 or more loads I can get out of it before I absolutely have to make more.  I'm super excited about how long it's lasted and how well it's done on our clothes, completely worth the little bit of time it took, and a bargain compared to other detergents.

I also made baby wipes, I posted about here.  I have been using homemade baby wipes ever since then except for when we go out, which isn't very often, then I use store bought wipes.  I don't think this would really be necessary.  The homemade wipes would probably hold up just fine in a to-go case.  I bought a large package of 6 Bounty paper towels for $6.  I cut each of them in half and half a roll lasts us about a week, sometimes a little more or less depending on how many blow out BM's we have in a week.  So 1 package of paper towels lasts us about 12 weeks or 3 months,  that's about $2 a month on baby wipes, not bad huh? 

I have changed the recipe I use for the wipes just because I ran out of baby oil and didn't really want to spend money on more.  The recipe I use now is 1cup water, 1/4 cup baby wash (probably a little less than this because I don't measure), and a couple squirts of baby lotion.  Now the wipes are not quite as soapy but still work just as well.

Homemade Laundry Detergent

I have been wanting to try this for a while.  I used to buy the cheapest detergent I could find because my skin is not sensitive to any certain brand.  However since my son was born I have been washing all of our clothes in All Free and Clear which I hardly ever catch on sale.  The few times it has been on sale it's still over $10 for a medium size bottle, and call me cheap but I think that is way too much for soap.  Maybe if I was still working I would have continued buying it just because its easy to just pick it up and put it in the cart along with all my other groceries. 

 I have had multiple recipes saved and now I have finally done it.  I guess I put it off so long because I thought the process would take longer, but it was super easy.  First I looked at different recipes and like always combined a few. 

I bought Borax, Super Washing Soda, and Baking Soda (I usually have this on hand already to use as a general cleaner for the bathroom).  Not pictured-Ivory Soap bar.  Some recipes say to use Zote soap or Castile but I like using what I already have in the cupboard and Ivory is what we use in the shower so that's what I decided to use.  I found all three of these in the laundry aisle at my local Kroger, however I have looked in other Krogers and some don't have the super washing soda.  If yours doesn't carry it try using some oxyclean powder in your recipe.

1st I grated 2 bars of Ivory soap using the grater I have in my kitchen drawer, into a large bowl.  I thought this step would take forever but I did it while watching tv and Grant was napping.  Probably took about 5 minutes and bonus, it's a good work out for your arms.

Here's a close up of the soap grated.  Next I took my hands and just ran them through to break the pieces up a little smaller (i don't know that this is really necessary but I did it anyway).

Now add 2 cups Borax

2 cups Washing Soda

1 cup Baking Soda

to your bowl

(If you don't want to buy the baking soda you can leave it out.  Some recipes don't call for it if you use the washing soda but I figured since I had it in the cupboard why not add it in for a little something extra.)

I used a spaghetti ladle (I don't know if that's its actual name but thats what I call it), it has the slots in the bottom so I thought it would mix up the powders better)

Now find a pretty container, or just any plastic container with a lid will do, and fill it with your laundry detergent.

I put an extra scoop I had from a container of oxyclean in with my detergent and viola!

I use one or two full scoops (depending on how dirty the clothes are) for a large load of laundry, which is about 3 tablespoons.

So what is the total cost of making this laundry detergent, here's the cost breakdown:

Super Washing Soda - about $3.99

Borax - about $2.50

Baking Soda (I usually already have) - about $2.50

Ivory Soap - free from my bathroom cabinet

total - about $9

I probably have enough of each of these items to make at least 3 or more batches of this detergent before I have to buy any more.  Much cheaper than store bought brands, and much easier on my grocery budget.