Homemade Powder Laundry Detergent

Morning Kiddos!

It's laundry week! I know most of you aren't excited by the prospect of laundry (who is?) but I'm excited about this week!  I love getting new tips of better, quicker, greener, cheaper ways to do laundry!

I tried this new "recipe" for Powdered Laundry Detergent.  I think it works really well.  It was super easy, super quick, and will last a long time.  So, if you want to make your own..keep reading!!



Here are your ingredients and equipment: Food processor, Borax, Baking soda (yes, baking soda not washing soda for this), Ivory soap (you could also use Zote, homemade soap, or other old fashioned soap) and Oxi Clean.

You will need:
1 cup soap (about 2 Ivory bars)
1/2 cup Borax
1/2 cup Baking Soda
1/4 cup Oxi Clean
(you can vary this recipe to how you like it, and what you think works best for your laundry needs)

Step one: Grate your bars of soap.

Step two: Put your chopping blade in and chop the soap finely.

(Looks like cottage cheese right? But it's not.  So don't eat it. :o )

Step three: Mix your soap with your other ingredients.

Step Four: Put 1 Tbsp for a regular load or 2 Tbsp in a very dirty load.  

A few tips : Washing in cold water DOESN'T work, because the soap doesn't dissolved.  I learned this the hard way and had to rewash a load.  Oops.  

Also, make sure you put the soap and let the water fill the washer before you put your clothes in.

End result - cheaper laundry detergent.  I think it works really well, I've been using it for about a week now, and with a baby in the house, you know there can be some nasty dirty clothes in your piles!  All the mushed bananas and crackers have come out, and the laundry always smells fresh!  I hope this inspires you to try this recipe, or another homemade recipe.  You won't regret it!