If you can make laundry detergent for pennies..

**heartofmine** · 12-09-2011, 02:06 PM

I love the homemade. I make the liquid version. To add a little bit of smell I've been buying the small Lilac smelling bottles from the Dollar Tree of Oxydol (think that is the name) and pouring it in the bucket too. Smells good.

**Rosebush3** · 12-09-2011, 07:07 PM

I've made it a few times, differently each time hoping to find what would work best for me.
I never found my clothes to smell musty, actually pretty scent free. I didn't notice much in the way of dinginess either, but I never used it for very long.
I did have a major issue with deodorant not washing out of the armpits of my son's t-shirts, they were disgusting. Some of mine ended up the same way.
I will say that I always wash in cool water so that may have played into it. There are no hard or soft water issues here.
I switched back to Tide and here I'll stay.

**monkeywrangler71** · 12-09-2011, 07:13 PM

I used it for about a year, the clothes smelled fine but the whites were yellow. Cheap detergent doesn't save me money if it makes my husband go out every month to buy new dress shirts.

**Momto5RN** · 12-09-2011, 07:29 PM

because i would loose all my savings on double or triple rinsing so i didnt get a rash .

and last time there was a cost comparison done on home made ( perhaps not the duggars style ) it wouldnt have saved me alot- by waiting for sales and using coupons i was averaging just a few cents a load because i use 1/2 to 1/4 what the bottle actually says to use .

IE ajax - or purex dye scent free on sale 1.99 i have a coupon that makes it 99- its supposed to be 32 loads per bottle - i use half the required thats 64 loads for 99c or 1.5c a load . less when i get down to bottom of bottle and swish extra water in to make sure i use it all .

**brenda67** · 12-09-2011, 08:07 PM

Thanks to all whom responded..........I'm only asking because after listening to some family member's and reading various sites I'm amazed how some folk's who are totally broke but refuse to cut some (other) corners to save some money..I'm a Tide lover but wanted to see how much money I could save buy making my own..I've only been using the homemade liquid version for I think 4 month's now..I have very hard water also haven't really notice a difference yet between detergents..Oh and I have a $1000 HE Front loader washing machine that I think in my own opinion is a piece of junk compared to my old top loader...I think my old washing machine cleaned my clothes 100% better than this overpriced thing..

**HappyMama** · 12-09-2011, 08:48 PM

Originally Posted by brenda67

Thanks to all whom responded..........I'm only asking because after listening to some family member's and reading various sites I'm amazed how some folk's who are totally broke but refuse to cut some (other) corners to save some money..I'm a Tide lover but wanted to see how much money I could save buy making my own..I've only been using the homemade liquid version for I think 4 month's now..I have very hard water also haven't really notice a difference yet between detergents..Oh and I have a $1000 HE Front loader washing machine that I think in my own opinion is a piece of junk compared to my old top loader...I think my old washing machine cleaned my clothes 100% better than this overpriced thing..

Brenda there is Tide FO out there that some use to make their own soap. Not sure if it smells the same but many love it. Hope that helps.

For the hard water add salt to your recipe , if you notice a problem. I love your willingness to try things, and make a great life for your family .

**brenda67** · 12-09-2011, 09:09 PM

Originally Posted by HappyMama

Brenda there is Tide FO out there that some use to make their own soap. Not sure if it smells the same but many love it. Hope that helps.

For the hard water add salt to your recipe , if you notice a problem. I love your willingness to try things, and make a great life for your family .

HUGS..Thank you for your compliment's I don't get them very much. If you have the recipe for the Tide clone recipe I would like to try it?

**NikoSan999** · 12-09-2011, 09:13 PM

Tide Clone Laundry Detergent Recipe - Food.com - 359103

Tide clone recipe

**frugalfranny** · 12-10-2011, 01:08 AM

I might change my mind if I was totally broke, but it isn't worth the effort for me...........not much wash with just me and I use cheap Purex powder.

Also..........read the complaints about it here on FV and decided I wouldn't be trying it anytime soon.

**wanderlusting** · 12-10-2011, 06:50 AM

Originally Posted by BeachBaby

I've used the homemade soap before but it just didn't get the clothes as clean and they had a sour smell. I even bought fabric softener to try and help and nothing seemed to work.

I buy Tide now love the way it smells, always get it on sale with a coupon and use about 1/3 of what the bottle says.

ITA. I tried it before having kids and my clothes never really felt clean. I don't even want to tell you about my DH's boot socks! LOL

I tried it again after having kids, but even when I used Oxyclean to help with homemade laundry detergent, the stains and baby yucky smells never came out.

I buy Tide in bulk when it's on super sale at the BX.

**HappyMama** · 12-11-2011, 06:04 PM

Sorry Brenda should have clarified I meant there is a Fragrance oil that is listed as Tide smelling for those who make soap. Hope that helps.

**NikoSan999** · 12-11-2011, 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by HappyMama

Sorry Brenda should have clarified I meant there is a Fragrance oil that is listed as Tide smelling for those who make soap. Hope that helps.

Where do you get this if you don't mind my asking?

Thanks, I googled and found it.
1oz - $3.75
2oz - $5.00
4oz - $8.00
8oz - $14.00
16oz - $21.50

http://www.sweetcakes.com/advanced_s...=tide&x=6&y=10

**mndtrp** · 12-11-2011, 07:09 PM

It costs me and my wife about $20 a year to use the store-bought detergent. Reducing that cost isn't going to be offset enough by the time spent locating ingredients and mixing a homemade version.

**gottadance** · 01-24-2012, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by HappyMama

I do make organic

I'm sure you've posted your recipe before, but could you do it again? I also have hard water and am a greenie, so don't want to use anything that is has phosphates or other nongreen chemicals. I am currently buying Seventh Generation, which is pricey. I'm also not thrilled with the smell, but clothes do seem clean.