Frugal Friday: Homemade Laundry Detergent

Looking to cut back on your detergent expenses? Here's a great way to make your own, which I use to do the liquid but have had several people say they like the dry detergent better and it's less messy!

Laundry Soap

-1 (4 lb 12 oz) - Box of Borax Found in the detergent aisle
-1 (3 lb 7 oz) Box of Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda- in the detergent aisle
-1 (3 lb) Container Oxiclean- Found in the detergent aisle.
-2 (14.1 oz) Bars Zote Laundry Soap Bar- or Fels Naptha Soap - in the detergent aisle
-1 (4 lb) Box Arm & Hammer Baking Soda- in the cooking aisle
-1-2 (55 oz) Container Purex Crystals- Found in the detergent aisle (This is 100% optional. I use 2 and you could use any crystal type Softener for the scent and softness - I LOVE the purple scent)
-Large bucket or container to mix all the ingredients.

Grate the Soap (Fels Naptha or Zote). The hardest part is grating the Zote or Fels Naptha - you want it to be like shredded cheese. I have tried several methods, use a cheese grater and grate manually, but my favorite and the easiest I think is to use my Magic Bullet - but you have to cut the soap into little cubes or it will get hot inside the bullet and stick together so do this in small batches.

Pour all ingredients into a large bucket or container and mix with hands (the kids love to get their hands into this and mix it up for me).

Pour back into containers that close tightly - you don't want this stuff to get any moisture in it. I put it back into the Purex Crystal and Oxy Clean Containers.

Use 1 capful (the cap that comes on the Purex container) in each load. I have an HE machine and it works better than regular detergent as it doesn't get all foamy. I would suggest putting in with the actual laundry not in the dispenser.

It took me quite some time to decide to give this a try as I am really picky about my laundry detergent and how my clothes feel and smell.  I can honestly say this is my favorite laundry detergent EVER. I have tried it all and I can't find anything that works better. I also share this every time I make it with my college kids and family and they won't use anything else now either.  Michelle, My Kansas City Mommy!

Written and Shared by one of my friends Michelle over at My Kansas City Mommy!