Simple Homemade Laundry Detergent

I’m always looking for ways to save money AND be a little nicer to the environment if I can. Many times, these two concepts go well together. A few years ago, I took a good look at the products I was using, both for personal care and house cleaning, and did a bit of research to figure out how I could eliminate or at least reduce the harmful chemicals present in many of the products. I found that the greatest money savings came from making household cleaning products myself. This was a major find, because household cleaners often contain more toxic chemicals than any other product in the home, and are generally very expensive. I found that simple ingredients like vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda, and borax clean just as well if not better than the chemically-laden products I had been using, and are a lot kinder to the wallet.

How To Make Homemade Laundry Detergent

What I consider to be my biggest “score” when doing research was finding a simple, homemade recipe for laundry detergent. Many recipes called for the same basic ingredients: borax, washing soda, and bar soap. I’ve experimented with different bar soaps, and found that I like using Kirk’s Castile Soap because it cleans well and is made with coconut oil, is hypoallergenic and biodegradable. I’ve also had good luck using Fels Naptha for stains, which is less expensive but not as eco-friendly. I decided to add a few drops of essential oil to my recipe. I like peppermint oil and lavender oil for the scent. Give this recipe a try, and watch your savings add up!

Homemade Laundry Detergent Ingredients:

• 1 cup Borax
• 1 cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda
• 1 bar Kirk’s Castile Soap
• Several drops of essential oil

Start by chopping up the bar of castile soap with a sharp knife before placing it in a food processor. This will make it easier for the food processor to finish chopping.

Blend the soap in the food processor until it is a fine powder. Then add the borax and washing soda and blend thoroughly. Add several drops of essential oil for scent, if you choose. Blend again. The detergent will now be a dry powder. Pour it into a jar and use one tablespoon for small loads, two tablespoons for larger loads.

This homemade laundry detergent recipe is so simple to make and the best thing about it is, a little goes a long way. You will notice the savings immediately!

Have you tried making your own laundry detergent? Do you have a favorite recipe? Share in the comments!