I made homemade laundry detergent yesterday.

**heartofmine** · 04-02-2009, 04:02 PM

..and I like it. I washed my first load with it today. I waited until I had used up all my stocked up detergent before turning to making it instead. I'm happy!!

**tofuranch** · 04-02-2009, 04:04 PM

Great Job....I even use my homemade soap in making the laundry soap

**GenB** · 04-02-2009, 04:23 PM

GOOD FOR YOU!!!! I've been making mine for awhile now, as well, and I love it. Its fun and you realize that you have been paying for alot of junk in detergent that you really don't want! I always hated buying laundry detergent because it was sooo expensive. I make all my own house cleaners, too and have saved a bundle!!

**kellieetter** · 04-02-2009, 04:47 PM

Great!! I am getting ready to buy all the stuff I need to make it today for the first time!! I am glad it worked out great for you, hopefully it will work for me to!!!

**hotprincesscm** · 04-02-2009, 05:52 PM

I love mine too! And it feels good to know that you can make it yourself and not pay a fortune for it!

**onencgirl** · 04-02-2009, 06:04 PM

I love hm products. I like knowing exactly what is going into them.

**Cricketlegs** · 04-02-2009, 06:31 PM

Yep, I will never go back to store bought. Heck I have EIGHT YEARS of laundry supplies in my cabinet lol.

**Landscape25** · 04-02-2009, 07:39 PM

I have a question about the dry. It says to use 2 Tbsp (1 oz) for heavily soiled loads. My detergent says to use 3/4 cup (6 oz) for an extra large load. My clothes get dirty because of my work so I am wondering how it would be possible for 2 Tbsp to clean them, or any clothes for that matter. Does this mean for a small load or is this stuff that much more potent?
Thanks!

**ladytoysdream** · 04-02-2009, 07:56 PM

I haven't made any homemade yet, because I am still using some I had in stockpile. Probably sometime this summer, I will get to try it

**hotprincesscm** · 04-02-2009, 08:01 PM

Originally Posted by Landscape25

I have a question about the dry. It says to use 2 Tbsp (1 oz) for heavily soiled loads. My detergent says to use 3/4 cup (6 oz) for an extra large load. My clothes get dirty because of my work so I am wondering how it would be possible for 2 Tbsp to clean them, or any clothes for that matter. Does this mean for a small load or is this stuff that much more potent?
Thanks!

I would try the recommended dose...I think because it is more concentrated and there is no fillers in it like the brand name detergents. If after trying the two tbsp, the are not clean enough then up it to three for the next wash. You have to experiment a little to find the dosage that works for you! I use half the recommended dose on normal washes and it works fine for me!

**2ndGenGranola** · 04-02-2009, 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by Landscape25

I have a question about the dry. It says to use 2 Tbsp (1 oz) for heavily soiled loads. My detergent says to use 3/4 cup (6 oz) for an extra large load. My clothes get dirty because of my work so I am wondering how it would be possible for 2 Tbsp to clean them, or any clothes for that matter. Does this mean for a small load or is this stuff that much more potent?
Thanks!

I've found that my homemade stuff gets clothes much cleaner. It has pulled out some stains that have gone through a handful of storebought loads.

**Landscape25** · 04-02-2009, 08:52 PM

Okay, thank you.

**Michelle** · 04-02-2009, 09:17 PM

Op, that's great

For the rest of you who already use HM, would you please share your recipes? TIA

**mzpepper** · 04-02-2009, 09:31 PM

Please share your recipes with us.

**heartofmine** · 04-02-2009, 10:48 PM

This is the one I used and it turned out great. I talked to my sis today and she's going to make it too. Now to get my mom onboard and I think she'll love it.

HOMEMADE LAUNDRY DETERGENT

Ingredients:
3.1 oz bar Ivory soap or 2 regular bar sizes(I chose Ivory over the others since I know we are not allergic to it)
1 cup 20 Mule Team Borax
½ cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda or Baking Soda (I used baking soda since I couldn't find the washing soda but it worked just fine)
Water
Tools:
5 Gallon container
Knife or grater
Pot large enough to hold 5 cups of water
Long stirring stick/spoon (for 5 gallon container)
Instructions:
Shave the soap into small strips or grate it up finely with a grater and place in the pot with 5 cups of water. Bring the water just shy of a boil and stir until the soap is completely melted. When the soap is just about melted, pour 3 gallons of hot water into the 5-gallon container and let it sit until the soap in the pot is totally melted. Once all of the soap shavings are melted, pour the mixture into the 5-gallon container and stir.
Once the soap and water are thoroughly stirred, add the ½ cup pf washing soda and stir until dissolved. Once the washing soda is dissolved, pour in the cup of borax and stir again until dissolved.

***You can add essential oil flavors for the smell but I prefer without.

***You use 1/2 to 1 cup for each load of laundry depending on how dirty they are.