My Homemade Laundry Detergent Story...

Several people have inquired about my homemade detergent, so I thought the easiest way to respond would be to blog it. First of all, I must say this is not my invention, but a recipe I've seen all over the blogosphere since I've been reading homemaking & sustainable living blogs. I think my interest in detergent came with our switch over to cloth diapers when Elizabeth was a few months old. You have to use additive-free detergent with diapers (and no fabric softener) or they develop a residue build-up... which leads to really stinky diapers.

I started out with some homemade detergent that I'd found on Etsy. I used it only for the diapers & everything seemed to be working with it. But then I ran out. I read that baking soda was good on diapers, so then I used that alone on the diapers for a while. Then I started seeing the recipe for detergent all over these blogs I was reading, so I decided that when I ran out of Cheer, I'd make a total switch over to homemade. That happened in December 2008.

Homemade Laundry Detergent Powder

1 c grated laundry soap bar (which is about 2/3 of a bar)
1/2 c washing soda
1/2 c borax

Grate the soap with a cheese grater or food processor. Add all ingredients into a bowl that has an airtight lid. Stir or shake to mix well. Store the air tight container. Use 2 Tablespoons per load.

Here's what mine looks like all mixed up. I store it in a plastic Ziplock storage container. I used a regular cheese grater for the soap. The next batch I made I used a finer cheese grater & I like the finer texture a bit better. That's just personal preference. I can't tell any difference when it's in use. My next batch will be a double batch.

Now the nitty-gritty - does it work? I haven't noticed any difference since I switched between how this works & how our store-bought detergent worked! The Fels Naptha is a stain remover, washing soda cuts grease and odors and borax cleans, deodorizes and softens the water.

So now we use this for all the laundry. If I've got stains, I'll still use some OxyClean or a pre-treater. For our family, the biggest benefit to homemade detergent is that it's cheaper and it's also safe for diapers & sensitive baby skin, so I don't have to have 2 detergents. Some of the other bloggers have done the math and figure this recipe comes out to about a penny per load. The initial cost was about the same price as the big box of detergent from WM, but these ingredients are going to last me a long time!

I did have a problem at first finding all 3 ingredients. I found Borax at every store I looked, but no washing soda. I finally found it at HEB Central Market. The box was all dusty like they didn't sell much of it. I found a laundry soap bar at WM called Pink Zote, but it was really soft & I couldn't grate it, plus it had added color & scent, so I didn't end up using it. I finally found all 3, including Fels Naptha at Kroger. They can be ordered online if you can't find them locally. I know Amazon.com has them and there's probably other sites that carry all 3 also.

If you're interested in other homemade cleaners, check out the homemade cleaners at Down to Earth, an Australian blog which I just love reading. That entry includes recipes for: laundry liquid, laundry powder (which is what I use), heavy duty laundry powder, laundry stain removers, fabric softener (use this also), diaper pre-soak, all purpose cleaner, skin cleaner, oven cleaner, silver cleaner, soft scrub, window cleaner, wood polish, assorted flooring cleaners, crayon mark remover, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, and deodorant!

Homemade cleaners... It Works for Me! (click to see more Works for Me Wednesday participants)

My Red Washing Machine!

OK, I admit it. I've been drooling over the red washer & dryer at Lowe's for months. This is the GE model, called Metallic Red. The Samsung model is called Tango Red. How cool is that?

I think the Samsung is what I've been seeing in the stores. But high efficiency, energy star and all... that's an expensive machine. I just couldn't bring myself to do it. And I'd have to have a matching dryer, too.

So over the last few days, I've been working on my own washing machine, a.k.a. utility sink. And now I am quite proud to say that I do have a beautiful red washing machine in my yellow laundry room. And it pops! What d'ya think???


The diaper bucket will sit there between it & the cabinets. Won't that be glamorous?!?! Now I'll need to come up with some beautiful artwork to hang over it.