I’ve wanted to make my own laundry detergent for quite a while now. I’ve seen many posts and pins on Pinterest about different methods but decided to make mine using the products that Yvonne at Stone Gable used. The only changes I made is that I used 1 container of Gain Scent Boosters instead of Downy Unstopables and only 2 bars of the Fels Naptha Soap instead of the 4 that Yvonne used.
Here’s the list of items I used:
1~ 4lb 12 oz box of Borax
1~ 4 lb box of Arm And Hammer Baking Soda
1~ 3 lb 7 oz box of Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda
1~ 3lb container Oxy Clean
2 bars Fels Naptha Soap, grated
1 container Gain Scent Booster
We poured everything in a big garbage bag and shook it like crazy. I also had a big scoop that we used to mix it up even more.
I wish I had a pretty container to show you like Yvonne’s but for now it’s in an empty 5 gallon bucket of David’s Sunflower Seeds! My husband likes to do his own laundry (lucky me!) and he’s very klutzy and it would not last a week in the glass jar. I have plans to get the laundry room cleaned out and give it a little makeover but until then, I guess my detergent will just have to stay in it’s ugly bucket.
I’ve got to say that after using the detergent for a week I love it! It really does a great job cleaning our clothes and since my husband works outdoors (he has a landscape business) his clothes are “stinky” and grimy….the clothes come out clean and soft and smelling great! Plus the whole house smells like every day is laundry day and has that clean smell all day. Saturday I washed the coverlet on our bed and this morning my husband said whenever he woke up during the night he could smell it and it smelled so good! He’s never commented on anything like that before.
I’m taking a little container of it to my friend’s house when I go visit with her this week. She’s a clean freak and I can’t wait to get her opinion on the “homemade detergent”!
I’d love to know if you’ve ever made your own laundry detergent and how you like it!
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5 comments:
Hello Judy,
No, I have never made any. How much did it cost to make 5 gallons of detergent?
Blessings,
Linda
I made some of this and like it, my only suggestion, Judy, is to use at least warm temp. Water in the washer for the Fels to melt. First time I used it I had all those pieces on our clothes. Hope you like, let me know. Email when you can.
Hugs
I've been reading more and more about people making their own laundry detergent. I haven't had the courage to try it yet. I currently use Tide pods and I'm happy with it. But, so many people (like yourself) have me wondering if it's better than what I'm currently using. I didn't know that your husband has a landscape business! Mine has a lawn business on the side so I know all about the dirty clothes that go along with that job!
I've been making my own laundry soap (from Yvonne's recipe) for over a year and a half now and I don't think I'll ever go back to store bought. I have a HE front load washer and you may know (or have heard) they can be prone to developing mold and mildew (the "stinky washer" syndrome). I've done a lot of research on that and truly feel that liquid soaps and fabric softeners are a major contributing factor because the energy-saving low water levels are not enough to wash away the oils contained in liquid soaps and softeners (thus they stick to the washer parts and hold moisture which, in turn, causes mold). There are not too many HE powdered detergent options available so making my own seems to be working well at keeping the mold out of my machine.
I substituted the Gain Scent Boosters too because they are considerably cheaper than the Downy Unstopables but a couple weeks ago I did break down and buy a container of the Unstopables to try. I actually like them better because the smell is more concentrated and lingers much longer. However, I'm using them with caution because they feel a bit waxy to me and I fear they may leave a residue in my machine that might invite mold and mildew.
So glad I found your beautiful blog today! I have made my own laundry detergent, but used another (liquid) recipe and wasn't super-happy. I'll definitely try this one, thank you!
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