Making Laundry Detergent
September 12, 2008 by Jenn @ Frugal Upstate
Filed under Frugal Living, Frugal Skills, vlog
Here is my second vlog!
You can also read my directions on how to make laundry detergent and the post that discusses “Is making your own laundry detergent worth it?” ( includes the formula to figure out the cost per load).
A few other notes:
1. This laundry detergent won’t bubble and foam up like the store bought ones. Don’t worry, it’s still working!
2. The water may look a little gray while washing. This is the dirt coming out of the clothes and is fine-you can just see the water better because it isn’t covered with bubbles (see #1)
3. I use this powder in cold water all the time and don’t have any problems with it dissolving.
4. Remember-there is no perfume added to this, so your laundry may seem strangely “scentless” to you. If that really bothers you, you could probably buy some essential oils and add them to the powder. Personally I think we have too many competing scents going on in our lives-and as a migraine sufferer cutting a few of those extraneous ones (like laundry and dryer sheet scents) out is not really a trial.
5. You will still want to pre-treat any big stains. I use a regular stain stick for grungy kiddo stuff, and I’ve used shampoo for the old “Ring Around the Collar” effect on Yankee Bill’s dress shirts.
6. To keep with the frugal theme you can use vinegar in the wash as a laundry softener. Either place it in the dispenser (if you have one) or else add it to the second rinse. You may notice a vinegar smell while the laundry is wet, but it will completely dissipate by the time the clothes are dry.
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You’ve done a great job on this vlog! I love the idea, too. My daughter and I both have sensitive skin, so we spend the extra money on the free and clear and (gasp) Dreft. I’m going to look for the ingredients for this brew tomorrow.
This was incredibly fascinating.
I’m not sure that it would exactly help us save money on laundry- I do the shopping around and coupon combinations and we had a small stockade of detergent for awhile which cost $3 a bottle. Figuring out we get about double the loads than it says, the current run of 6 bottles came out to about 4-5 cents a load.
But getting ready to move to a completely different area of the country, this might really come in handy if I can’t find frugal options in our new area.
Great job. Keep up and have a great weekend. Annette
I thought your new vlog was very well done clear and informative. I have been looking for the washing soda and have not seem to find it in my area, I am currently using a liquid soap that is costing me about 6cents a load. I know that sounds frugal but it has dyes and scent in it, and my son and I have issues with laundry soap in particular that develop over time, then we switch again. I want a more permanent solution that will not break the bank. Amazing the prices people have to pay to be “Free and Clear” yet it costs more? What a scam!!!! Thanks for the great and simple solution
Great Vlog!!! I make my own laundry detergent, but my measurements are a little different. I add Oxy Clean too! Check it out: http://heatherbeckley.blogspot.com/2008/04/natural-cleaners.html
Informative. And you’re a natural on video!
What a great vlog! You look really good on camera, and I’ve enjoyed your videos. =)
For those of you that just HAVE to have the laundry smell, dilute your softener about 4:1, spray some on a washcloth and throw it in the dryer with your clothes. Much more frugal and green than using dryer sheets.
Thanks everyone!
And Amyrlin-go to the Arm & Hammer website and look for a link that says something like "contact us" or such. Send them an email with your zipcode and state and ask them to tell you what stores in your area carry washing soda. That's what I did a few years ago in Virginia. It took a couple of weeks, but they did get back to me.
I haven’t tried makeing powdered detergent yet but I have been useing this recipe for months now and am very happy with it. But Im always looking for ways to make it better. http://angelasfinds.blogspot.com/2008/05/laundry-finds.html
I also have heard that 1/2 cup of vinegar works as a natural softner Im just a bit iffy on if the smell will go away so I haven’t tried it yet myself.
Great job, straightforward and informative. Do you use hair shampoo for ring around the collar? Is that what you meant? What do you use for stains? I can’t find anything that works better than Shout.
Nicole
Angela-I've done the vinegar, and it works well. The clothing does smell a bit vinegary, but only until they dry.
Nicole-Yes, I've just used regular shampoo-although the tips I've seen online specifically recommend Breck. For other stains I use a regular store bought stain stick-but with the kiddos being 7 & 5 I am just resigned to a certain amount of stains on their clothes. It's hard to get too upset if the stain doesn't come out when most of them were bought used for very little money
hmm thats good to know I’ve got to do a little laundry in the morning and I’ll give it a try.
Jen,I tried to send this to you via your contact email but I don’t think it worked. (If it did, ignore this!) So, I posted it here knowing you read your comments! It’s nothing to do with the laundry soap, although I really like that idea!
I know you make great lunches for the kids. So, it only makes sense that when I saw this I thought of you! If you need a little lunch inspiration, here it is!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mslil65/sets/72157601755804789/
I hope the link works! You may have to copy and paste it. It’s on Flickr. It’s called “Ethan’s Kindergarten Lunches.” All I can say is this kid eats well!
Oh, and back to the laundry soap. I was thinking, do you think you could throw some sprigs of fresh lavendar in the mixer for scent? Think that would work?
-Nancy
Nancy-I have GOT to do something about that contact form. Some folks have no problem, some can’t get it to work. grrrr.
Thanks for thinking of me, I’ll check out the photostream.
Re: lavendar-I’m not sure. I would use dried and grind it up really good to start with-otherwise it might block up your washer. Unless you meant put sprigs in and hope it scents the detergent. For that I’d say go for it, I don’t think it could hurt anything
Loving the Vlogs!! Keep up the good work. I have been wanting to make my own soap. Now I feel more comfortable doing it!
Thanks!
Great job! Clear and well presented. Looking forward to seeing you do more.
Love this one!
l use a little splash of white vinegar (cheap when purchased by the gallon) in the rinse cycle, a little bit doesn’t smell. Sometimes l put a few drops of essential oil (lavender or peppermint) on a washcloth and toss that in the rinse, too.
l use a bar of lvory soap for a stain stick, lasts forever, and works! l moisten the stain first.
And finally, l haven’t used the clothes dryer since l moved here. l have a clothes line out back (love it!), an enclosed side porch with clothes lines near the ceiling, and a vintage wooden drying rack that l put over the heat register in the winter, adds needed moisture to the air.
My Granny in England had the best, though…she had drying racks on pulleys in her formal dining room that pulled up out of the way when not in use
Keep up the good work, Jen, kudos!
Victoria
Just thought it was worth noting that washing soda is available for purchase online. That makes it a bit more expensive, but probably still worth it.
Great vlog!
Nice vlog! I especially liked the tip about the towel on the food processor – I would have never thought of that! Although we do normally get our laundry detergent really really cheap (coupons and sale stockups), I like the idea of this detergent because I’m not buying a huge hulking plastic bottle. You use so much less of this at a tablespoon a load!
Is there a specific kind of bar soap to buy that works the best? We usually use Dr. Bronner’s castille soap. I wonder if that would work?
Victoria, my family used to have clothes lines on pulleys in the bathroom over the bath. I’ve often wished for one of those.
Great job. I’m curious to try this sometime. Do you have an old food processor that you keep separate for making your laundry soap? Did I read before that you dry your grated soap before making the rest, or is that an optional step?
If anyone has trouble finding the Fels Naptha Soap you can call Dial Corporation and give them your ZIP and they’ll tell you who carries it. 888-468-6673
Great Video!
FYI: I found A&H Washing Soda at Giant Food Stores in Maryland for those who have that particular chain nearby
I’ve been toying with trying this for awhile. I haven’t been able to find the washing soda yet but, after seeing your video, I’m going to redouble my efforts. I have to do this!
I just made my laundry soap today. The recipe said to put the pieces of Ivory bar in the food processor and go till a fine powder. I couldn't get a fine powder but went ahead and mixed in the Borax and A&H Washing Soda (HEB stores in Texas). Any ideas on the 'fine powder'?
Beth-usually when I haven’t gotten it to a fine powder it is because of the amount of moisture in the soap. I used to grind up the soap in the food processor, then I’d put it in two baking trays up on top of the entertainment center to “dry out” for a few days, then grind again. But one time I got irritated by the work and just decided to leave the bigger chunks, and it still dissolved no problem. So I stopped the extra step.
Check out soapsgonebuy.com I just purchased he fels naptha for .99 a bar. he washing soda and borax are available for less than 5.00 per box. Thanks for he recipe!
I bought a Salad Shooter on Ebay for $5, to grind the soap, works great. I was afraid that my food processor would smell like soap.
I also add 1/2 cup of Oxyclean to the mix.
will this hurt an He machine?
I get asked that question so frequently that I decided to write a post about it! http://bit.ly/dkyiTG
I really think this I am going to share with my sisters and my twitter feed. I help people with money and this is a wonderful way to share how to save money on washing powder.