Life is full of mysteries. Why is the sky blue? What do they put in hot dogs? How the heck does a family of three produce so much dirty laundry?!
I just don't understand it. I always thought that once we got past the days of cloth diapers and spit-up, the laundry would be much more manageable. But the basket piled high and shoved in the back of my closet that's been awaiting folding for a week says otherwise.
Don't judge ...
So much laundry means that we blow through some detergent around these parts. Not only is that a hefty chunk of change, that is chemicals on our clothing all day long. Unless you like to run around in your birthday suit ... whatever floats your boat, man. But since I have to leave my house and see people, it's clothes for this ol' gal.
Dustin and I don't have sensitive skin or any skin irritations, but once little man came along I wanted my home and family to be as natural as possible.
I tried a few different recipes for natural laundry detergent before I landed on this one. We've been using it for almost three years and still love it.
Ingredients:
1 box borax
1 box washing soda
1 box baking soda
3 bars Fels Naptha soap-grated
Combine all ingredients and mix well, then store in an an air tight container.
Could that be any more simple? We have used this in both front- and top-loading washers and our high efficiency with no issues. Plus, I only use one small (2 tablespoon) scoop per load!
Our clothes are clean and fresh, and our wallet is happy! Plus, one batch lasts us about four months, and I wash at least a load a day. Now, I don't always fold that load ... until nobody can find their undies and I'm forced to be a grown up again.
Have you ever made your own laundry detergent? Share your tips and recipes in the comments section below!
Bonus!
How cute is this detergent container?! It would be the perfect way to store your goods and add a little style to your laundry room. It also includes the scoop and 4 mesh bags: 2 for delicates and 2 for other laundry. PLUS it's on sale! Originally $49.99 but you only pay $29. Jump on this deal while it lasts y'all!
I have been making and using my own detergent powder containing the above ingredients plus a tub of oxyclean and a container of scented crystals for more than four years in a top loader that was 19 years old. I had no problems at all using 2T per load. I recently moved and am using it in a front loader. I'll let you know if I experience problems. I love the smell of Fels Naptha. For one person, a batch lasts six months and costs around $30.
I have been making my own detergent for four years, and until I moved two weeks ago, I used it without issues in a top loader that was 20 years old. I'm now using it in a front loader. I'll let you know if I have issues. I love the smell of Fels Naptha - must be an individual thing. My "recipe" also includes a container of OxyClean and a package of scented crystals. I use 2 tablespoons per load.
We had an HE top loading washer and about every six months we had to take it apart to get to a tube we had to clean or the washer wouldn't drain and would flood the room. It started a couple months after we started using homemade detergent (this recipe). The first time it flooded, we called a repair man who was nice enough to show us how to fix it ourselves so we didn't have to call every time it happened. I asked and he said that it was partially a fault with the machine itself, but that our homemade mixture probably didn't help. So who knows.
I've also read that this mixture damages washing machines over time. Has anyone experienced this?
My research has been that Borax is only effective in hot water - something I no longer use to save energy. And, Fels Naptha has some questionable ingredients if you are concerned with gentler ingredients. It also smells awful. I use Kirk's castile soap.
My experience is that borax is only effective using hot water - something I no longer use to save energy. And, Fels Naptha has some questionable ingredients besides smelling awful. I use Kirk's castile soap. It's much milder. I've never tried the baking soda
What size of each ingredient did you use? I can't read the numbers on the boxes in the picture.