Recently I have had quite a few people ask me what I use for my sons clothes. If you are looking for less expensive but still quilty products to keep clothes clean this is it. I have used this D.I.Y. Laundry Detergent for years saving loads of money literally each time I do a load of laundry. With young kids at home we do a lot of laundry.
I did stop using it for a while when we found out my son had eczema to see if this was making the situation worse. We tried several different brands during this all significantly more expensive and the cleaning results were about the same. We came back to this when we learned the eczema was triggered by wheat and eggs not soap. Do note if you have skin sensitivities to try this out sparingly and watch to see if there are reactions. If so stop using the products.
I like this formula because it is a dry base making it easy to sore and measure out. If I have tough stains I just use a little extra of the powder on the spot and let it sit overnight. Then wash as usual.
I keep a teaspoon measure tied to the jar for easy use and measuring.
D.I.Y Laundry Detergent
2 bars Fels Naptha Soap or Zote
2 cups Borax
2 cups Washing Soda
*1 canister fabric scents like (Downy Unstopables, or essential oils) Optional, if you like scented clothes
Finely Chop or grate the Fels Naptha Soap. I find it easiest and fastest to cut it into chunks and mix it in the food processor. Add Borax, washing soda and scents as desired mixing to combine. Store in your chosen container. Use 1-2 teaspoons per load.
Makes about 6 cups of detergent
*note if you have sensitive skin you may opt to leave out the extra fabric scents
Not only does it clean well it costs significantly less than traditional laundry soap. Here is how it adds up:
Fels Naptha $1.00 per bar
Borax $4.25 per box
Washing Soda $4.00 per box
Downy Unstopables (optional) $6.50 per jar
This makes about 6 cups and you have enough, Borax and Washing Soda for two batches. One batch of D.I.Y. Laundry Soap will cost you about $12.62 without the Unstopables it is about $6.12 making enough for 144, 2 teaspoon loads that is just 0.4 cents per load! If only using one teaspoon or doing smaller loads you can get as much as 288 loads from one batch of D.I.Y Laundry soap!
To compare, a Tide 64 load bottle is $11.99 that is .18 cents per load.
Gain 32 load bottle is $6.85 that is .21 cents per load.
Seventh generation 33 load bottle is $8.00 that is .24 cents per load.
Arm and Hammer 107 load bottle is $7.99 that is .07 cents per load.
Now I know it is all just cents per load but costs do add up and this little gem will keep your clothes clean, and money in your pocket. Happy Washing!
This works in High Efficiency washers too.