This week we made up a big batch of powdered laundry detergent. I love that I am able to whip up a large batch, for just a few dollars, using ingredients of my own choosing. Our family is working toward using as few pre-made cleaning products and personal care items as possible. Partly for health reasons, partly for budget reasons, partly for self-sufficiency reasons.
Even though there are all types of homemade laundry soap floating around out there I thought I’d share my recipe with you. Over the years I’ve tried a few others, including the liquid/gel type. The recipe below is the one I like best. It only takes a few minutes to prepare. It makes enough to last for 4 months for our household of 7, our daughter’s family of 5, and our other daughter’s family of 4. The total cost is about $20.
Homemade Powdered Laundry Detergent
- 4 lb 12 oz box of Borax
- 4 lb box Baking Soda
- 3 lb 7 oz box Washing Soda
- 3 bars of Bar Soap (Fels-Naptha, Zote, Ivory, etc)
- 3 lb container of Oxy Clean (optional but recommended) — any brand of ‘oxygen powder cleaner/booster’ works fine (Walmart and Dollar General sell ‘Sun’ brand at half the cost)
- 1 lg container Purex Crystals (optional, but really does eliminate need for dryer sheets or other softener. Gain crystals work well, too)
- 1 lg container of Downy Unstopable Scent Booster (or comparable brand)
Step 2: Combine all the ingredients in a large container.
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Michelle @ Momsarefrugal says
I like this recipe. We have been using a liquid homemade laundry detergent, but I think I like the powder form.
Linda says
I like the powder version a lot more than the liquid/gel version – much easier to make and still effective! I hope you have good experience with it, Michelle 🙂