Are you trying to reduce the use of chemicals in your home? I recently discovered it is easier than I thought when it pertains to washing clothes. Though many of us have likely used tens if not hundreds of bottles of store bought laundry detergent, we probably have spent little time reading the ingredients on the bottle. While researching the ingredients in store bought laundry detergent I became astounded at the type and quantity of chemicals used. I could not believe it took that many ingredients to remove stains and re-freshen our clothes. This is why I was even more delighted when I found this homemade laundry detergent recipe. This homemade cleaner is simple to make, I had it completed in the time it took my husband to change my son’s diaper and get him dressed (i.e. about 10 minutes or less) and saves money since the ingredients are fairly inexpensive.
This homemade laundry detergent recipe contains only three ingredients (bar of soap, borax, and washing soda) and requires just three simple steps. I told ya, it’s easy!
How to Make Homemade Laundry Detergent
Adapted from DIY Natural
INGREDIENTS
1 bar of soap, shaved
1 cup of borax
1 cup of washing soda
DIRECTIONS
1. Shave 1 bar of soap with a hand grater.
2. Add 1 cup of borax.
3. Add 1 cup of washing soda. Then stir thoroughly and store in an air tight container. That’s it! Super simple!
Dosage: Use 1 Tbsp per load (or 2 -3 Tbsp for large or heavily soiled loads).
After seeing how easy this homemade laundry detergent recipe is to make, are you ready to give it a try? Not only will you be reducing the chemicals in your home and saving money, an added bonus is you’ll get one heck of an arm workout shaving the bar of soap! This could be a great job for a teenage son or husband. 🙂
By the way, for all of you especially observant Freebie Finding Mom followers you may have noticed the bar of soap I used was in the shape of a car and it was a freebie from a Zest giveaway I shared here on the blog. See freebies save money and come in handy!
Jen Markey says
Is this recipe ok to use with a front load HE washing machine?
Kelli says
Hmmm…I don’t know, Jen. Can anyone else comment with their insight? Thanks!
Pamela Jones says
I have been using this in my HE washer for over a year – no problems and it works well.
Kerry says
I am working on making this as we speak and the box of Borax now includes a “for all machines including HE” label on it! Hooray!
Marina says
Do you add this straight into the drum with the clothes or do you put it into the drawer?
Kelli says
Hi Marina, With the clothes. 🙂