Homemade Laundry Powder
The recipe for the laundry soap is as follows. Feel free to add the anecdote if you like.
- 1 c. shredded or grated bar soap (I use the food proc. to shred the little soap bars from motels, or buy soap at $1 store.
- 1/2 c. super washing soda (Arm and Hammer) This can be tricky to find but some grocery stores carry it. A & H toll free locator number is 1-800-524-1328.
- 1/2 c. borax (Borateem avail in laundry deterg. aisle.)
This doesn't suds up. Use only 1 tablespoon.
I make a double batch of this and it lasts 6 months.
I recently was away from home for a few days. I had just made up a double batch of this homemade powder laundry detergent. When I got home the canister was almost empty. The housesitter did some wash and since the stuff doesn't suds up-she kept adding more. She used like a 6-month supply of laundry soap! I was NOT pleased!
By Linda
Feedback About This Post:
RE: Homemade Laundry Powder
I use the recipe with the fels naptha in place of the bar soap, and it works wonderful. My son has eczema and it doesn't bother it at all. As for stains, save a small chunk of the fels naptha bar and rub it directly on any stain with amazing results.
Post by cokoma
RE: Homemade Laundry Powder
About the "dust" put a damp rag over the top of the food processor.
Post by stephlw19
RE: Homemade Laundry Powder
I used Fels Naptha, Borax & A&H Super Washing Soda, grated the saop then I put the mixture in my Magic Bullet (in small batches) & it turned out to be the same consistency as the Borax & washing soda! It was like shredded cheese at first & I didn't think it would dissolve in cold water. This works great & it's cheap!
Post by mrsfelty08
RE: Homemade Laundry Powder
I disagree about it not removing stains well. I use a mixture of 2 bars of Fels Naptha, 2 cups borax and 2 cups washing soda. On my whites and anything extra dirty, I use 3 Tbs per load in my top load. The key to getting stains out is special attention. My son played football at his birthday party in his brand new khaki pants. It rained the day before so they were black when he finished. I brought them to the laundry room and immediately went to work on them by filling the washer as usual with the detergent, only I didn't load the rest of the clothes until I was done with the pants. I scrubbed them while they were in the water and they look brand new again! This is an excellent detergent recipe for stain removal.
Post By Enter your name. (Guest Post)
USE SOAPNUTS!!!!!
Thank you for those that spoke about the soapnuts. http://www.naturoli.com/soapnuts/
I just bid on some from ebay called NaturOli. I read that with these all you have to do is add 3-6 nuts (in a sock or similar) to the wash for 3-5 CYCLES.
I am looking forward to using them. I have heard nothing but good things. I also have been using the powdered laundry detergent for about 2.5 years and wouldnt go back to store bought.
Post by RabeAK
RE: Homemade Laundry Powder
Also, I used blue Coast soap to make this recipe and it turned the white buttons on my blouse yellow. I don't recommend using a soap with a color in it to make this recipe.
Post By Annie (Guest Post)
RE: Homemade Laundry Powder
I have been using this recipe too for a while and I am really suprised at how well it works. I tested its strength against the store brand I was using by using it on my dirty cloth diapers. Three tablespoons equals two scoops of the store powder in my giant washer. My diapers come out cleaner and smelling better with the this recipe too!
Post By Annie (Guest Post)
RE: Homemade Laundry Powder
I use Zote bar soap. I can find it at Ultra foods or the local mexican grocery store. I comes in a pink or white bar. I've made it with both and prefer the pink. It tuns between 69 and 99 cents a bar. One thing I do is to dry out the soap before I use it. I open the package and let it dry for a week or so. When you shred it, it will be a powder rather than a shred. It mixes and dissolves quicker. I found this out by mistake. My son opened a package and then put in in the back of the cupbord. I tried it and it worked better than the shred. I make the recipe 6 times larger and it lasts a looooong time and I have 5 in our family. It also works for my husband who is sensitive to laundry soaps.
Post by jgoebel
RE: Homemade Laundry Powder
I started making the liquid detergent about a year ago and I am really happy with it. It is NOT an exact science, there are MANY recipes, but they all call for basically the same 3 ingredients.
I have even seen people use bar soap like Zest, Dial and more. But the reason I am writing today is that if you decide to make the powdered version, you need to be VERY careful about grinding up the bar soap. When I used the mini Cuisinart today to do so, it was the right powder like consistency, but would also float in the air when the lid was opened to the processor. People who have respiratory problems, asthma, etc may want to stick to the liquid or use a face mask when grinding up the soap powder. My lungs have been burning all day after making a batch of the powder.
That being said, the recipe I use is one part bar soap - I have used ZOTE and Fels Naptha; ground to a powder to 2 parts Borax and washing soda each and I only have to use 1 TBS of mix on normal loads and 2 TBS on heavily soiled. I also use Oxyclean on whites. With 4 boys and a grimy hubby, it works wonderful and lasts me for months. Once you buy the 3 ingredients, you should easily be able to make a year's worth or longer depending on how much you use..one whole year on less than $12 of supplies!
I switched to the powdered just to save storage space and time. I recently ran out and purchased a bottle of detergent for about $3 and I barely used it for a week!
If you want to save and use more natural products, this is the way to go, and YOU CAN change the formula up a little bit to suit your liking and water hardness...again, this is NOT an exact science!
Post By Lea (Guest Post)
RE: Homemade Laundry Powder
I make this powdered soap by first off making my own regular soap using lard, coconut oil and lye. (you can google soapmaking for proper proceedure on how to do this. I use a 0% superfat in my laundry soap) I make a 5 lb. batch of unscented soap then grate it up. I add the soap shreds I grated up to my cuisenart with the S blade. I add 2 boxes of borax and 2 boxes of washing soda. I have to do it in batches so it all fits but by grinding them all up together the soap becomes a powder and mixes with the borax and washing soda. When I am done, it nearly fills up my 5 gallon bucket I keep by the washing machine. I use anyplace between 1/4 - 1/2 cup of this washing powder per load. A bucket of this lasts well over a year or more. I also keep a hunk of the homemade lye soap to use as a stain stick. I just get the garment wet in the stained area and rub some of the soap in. It lifts stains and even oil stains from clothing. I just throw in the hamper and let the stain stick / soap dry into the clothing. When I do laundry then I don't need to pre treat. I just pre treat when I am getting undressed and happen to have stains on my clothes. I keep the stain stick in the drawer in the bathroom so I can do this.
Post By Enter your name. (Guest Post)
USE SOAPNUTS INSTEAD!!!
use Soapnuts instead....they are nuts from a tree that actually have soap inside of them, and when you throw about 5 or 6 into a sock and tie it...toss it in the machine, it washes so well!! I use that now and 1/2 cup of baking soda to make everything whiter... just type soapnuts or laundry nuts online, ebay is the best price. thanks;)
Post By sheila (Guest Post)
RE: Homemade Laundry Powder
How does the home made laundry powder hold up in areas with hard water. Even regular powders don't suds much and whites are a bit of a problem. Feedback appreciated.
Thanks
Post By Lilly (Guest Post)
RE: Homemade Laundry Powder
Hi! If you want to boost this recipe a bit, add a box of BIZ to it. That stuff gets everything out! I 'discovered' it when my stepson's both played football and the coach insisted he had NEVER coached a losing team that wore white pants. All the mother's could have cheerfully killed him. Of course, the team did have a losing season, but after asking how everyone else was getting those nasty pants so sparkly white, I have become the queen of laundry!
Post by cherylwaldrop
RE: Homemade Laundry Powder
I have been using the liquid detergent since march of 2007 and in almost a year I have only spent about $35 on laundry detergent. WOW! I love it.
You can use just about any soap that you want. At one time I coouldn't find the Zote so I bought Octagon and it worked just as well. When people hear how much we spend on detergent that just don't believe it. Oh well.
I also use this in my front load washer.
Post By gesus4gives (Guest Post)
RE: Arm and Hammer Soap Powder
Arm and Hammer Soap Powder is the best. I love the scent so much. Its addictive! What's in in? It's nothing like it!
Post By Dcarter. (Guest Post)
RE: Homemade Laundry Powder
www.soapsgonebuy.com
Post by moburkes
RE: Homemade Laundry Powder
I am unable to find washing soda or fels naptha soap. Where are you all getting these?
Post by aprilconnett
RE: Homemade Laundry Powder
I have been using this same recipe for about a year now and I LOVE it! Just use the recipe that started this post. 1 cup bar soap (Fels Naptha is what I use, sometimes hard to find, but once you find it, it is only about $1.25- $1.50 a bar. I have used Ivory, but I think Fels Naptha does a better job). 1/2 cup washing soda & 1/2 cup borax. So easy! 1T per load (2T if it is a heavily soiled or large load).
Sometimes I grate up those bath bar slivers left over and throw those into my laundry soap as well.
For a fantastic stain remover: equal parts vinegar, amonia, peroxide & liquid laundry soap. Make sure to add the laundry soap last or it will foam up on you. Put in a spray bottle. Note: Don't leave on the clothing for a long period of time. Spray then wash.
My last tip.... LOVE this one! Fabric softener. 6 cups water, 3 cups vinegar & 2 cups hair conditioner. Find a hair conditioner that you like the smell of. It doesn't have to be expensive, you can even use something from the $ store. I like the Ocean scents - they tend to smell similar to Downey. Use as you would any softener. It won't leave a residue on your clothing or towels.
Post by mom2hhh
Laundry Powder vs. Laundry Liquid Soap
Hi, Great website by the way.
I'm looking to make my own laundry soap, but which is better? Powder or liquid? Please, I'd love to hear your comments. So far this site has been interesting.
Post By Lori Abrams (Guest Post)
RE: Homemade Laundry Powder
On the recipe that Melissa posted, how big of a box was she speaking of? Am I supposed to use 3 5 pound boxes of washing soda? That seems like a lot...""
Post By Jen (Guest Post)
RE: Homemade Laundry Powder
On the recipe that Melissa posted, how big of a box was she speaking of? Am I supposed to use 3 5 pound boxes of washing soda? That seems like a lot...
Editor's Note: Hi Jenn,
I'm not sure if she'll see this. She says equal parts of borax and washing soda so I'd check the weight on the borax and put in enough washing soda to equal that. I'm not sure if washing soda only comes in one size or several. This is a very large batch.
Post By Jen (Guest Post)
RE: Homemade Laundry Powder
Softer soaps should be left to dry out before grating, or you could freeze them to make it easier.
I mix in a food processor and use a small coffee can to store it. I use 1 bar regualr or a portion of a bar of laundry soap (Fels Naptha, Zote) and 1 cup each Washing soda and Borax.
2 tablespoons in a large load (front loader) and my clothes are clean. Keep a chunk of ungrated laundry bar and moisten the stain or soap and rub it in- much cheaper than stain treaters!
Post By Enter your name. (Guest Post)
Is this OK for gentle wash or delicate clothing?
Are there any particular fabrics I should not wash this with?
Will this get out blood?
I am disabled so it would be wonderful to spend less on laundry! Thank you all so much!
Post By MadCatLady (Guest Post)
RE: Homemade Laundry Powder
I have my own recipe, my son has sensitive skin.
i use Ivory soap in my recipe, i grate it up with a cheese grater. (sometimes when i feel lazy i just grate about a third of a bar of Ivory and throw it in the wash by itself...it gets the job done). the scent is light, and our clothes are always clean. my son does not break out from it. the recipe i use is:
1 bar of ivory soap, grated
3c water
1c borax
3 Gallons of water
a five gallon bucket
Place 3c of water in a saucepan on the stove
add grated soap, simmer over low heat, stirring gently untill completly dissolved.
Fill bucket with 3 gallons of water, pour melted soap mixture into water, stir well. add borax and stir well.
let it sit a few hours, it will become like a gel. i use a one cup kitchen measure, i use 1 cup per load. it doesn't take long to make, it makes alot, it works well, and a three pack of ivory soap is around a dollar. i always have a bucket in the laundry room.
Post by thatkarengirl
RE: Homemade Laundry Powder
Ok, I have a front loading (Duet) washer, and I just tried this. I shredded the soap by hand...but it left big chunks, so I used my little electric food chopper...worked good on the shreds & small pieces. It turned it into a powder. It makes your clothes smell really good, but my soon-to-be hubby gets really grimy at work, so I wouldn't suggest using it for really dirty laundry. I also found that moisturizer bars (like Dove) are much harder to grate...the pieces tend to stick together. I do about 2 loads a day, and I used about a half cup, but it still didn't clean as good as I'd like...BUT that might be because I didn't use Fels Naptha.
It was simple to make and fun to try...but I would really like to know how I could boost this mixture up a bit.
Oh yeah...I don't think you can mix bleach with this, because of the ingredients in the soda and borax...so be careful not to. But it works good plain on most of my whites!
Thanks again for the "recipe" and if anyone has an idea for boosing this I'd love to try it :)
Post by katieandjeffy
RE: Homemade Laundry Powder
Regular soap can work (like Pure & Natural, Ivory) but if you use too much can leave a residue over time. Fels Naptha is in the laundry section near the washing soda and borax, also similar brands are zote. If you have allergies, it works great! My 4 year old can't have the glacier breeze or bleach alternative...we haven't pinpointed it, but figure who needs it anyway?
Post by camo_angels
RE: Homemade Laundry Powder
Hello...can you use something in place of the Fels Naptha? I have never even heard of this and haven't got a clue where to get it...would regular soap (like zest, etc.) work as well?
Post by katieandjeffy
RE: Homemade Laundry Powder
I am confused!
is this recipe:
3 boxes washing soda
2 boxes borax
2 cups baking soda
4 bars Fels Naptha grated
drops of essential oil
?
Please let me know-have allergic family looking for homemade soap
Thanks
Post By susieq67 (Guest Post)
RE: Homemade Laundry Powder
Hi, I got this recipe similar to yours off Recipe Goldmine website, but I've modified it.
First, I wear one of those paper masks while mixing and pouring
my ingredients. There is a bit of "dust" and if you breathe it, it's not partticularly irriating, but you can taste it as well. You can get about 5 of these masks for a buck at the $$ store.
Into a large bucket with a lid (I use the Tidy Cats large bright yellow bucket with a fold-back plastic blue lid and handle, works perfectly)
Equal amounts of washing soda (not baking soda) and borax
(I think the ratio I used was 3 boxes of washing soda to 2 boxes of borax, to make it equal)
2 cups of baking soda
4 bars of grated Fels Naptha (a hand grater or food processor) soap
drops of essentila oil (I use a combination of cedarwood, lavender,
eucalyptus, pine, spruce and tea tree)
MIx all well with a large spoon, or close lid and shake like I do.
I use one of those tiny scoops that I think came with protein powder,...
it's about 1/8 cup per load
you won't have suds at all..but grimy water almost instantly
I foudn by increasing the Fels Naptha to FOUR bars for my ratio,
it gets all the clothes..even my cleaning cloths and dishrags..super clean. It smells lovely and very fresh.
I am shocked how clean it gets my clothes and towels..case in point.
I used a former popular liquid detergent known for it's great smell.
However, it never got the bathroom face towels (mascara, makeup, etc!) completely clean. With this, it's fantastic.
I label the top of the container with the date made..so far it's been a month. I shoudl be able to get another 4-5 monhts out of this batch.
Should work well in Hi-efficiency washers too, since it's practically sudsless.
1/8 cup works well. I use it with my homemade fabric softener (2 cups vinegar, 2 cups baking soda, 4 cups warm water plus essential oils) and my clothes look and smell fanstastic...and I do about two loads a day with three kids under 8!
Thanks. This detergent is very economical and it's fun to make.
Post By melissa (Guest Post)
RE: Homemade Laundry Powder
Would mixing up a batch with Lava soap be good for the heavier soiled items?
Post by magnoliatn
RE: Homemade Laundry Powder
I made a double batch of this and it doesn't do well with stained clothes. I like it for my towels , rugs and light washing but not for my son's or husbands clothes. I also use about 1/2 a cup. wish I had a recipe for very dirty grimy clothing.
Post By chas (Guest Post)
RE: Homemade Laundry Powder
I have really sensitive skin. Could I use any kind of soap?like Dove. You mentioned using motel soaps. Sounds like any kind will do. One tablespoon? How does it smell? I am going to have to try this one! Thanks a bunch! Great tip!
Jennifer, CA
Post By Enter your name. (Guest Post)
RE: Homemade Laundry Powder
Do you use this in a front load machine or a top load? Sounds simple.
Post by valleyrimgirl
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