Homemade Laundry Detergent *updated*
For a few months now, I've had my eye on Jenn's detergent recipe. I was waiting to try this recipe until I depleted my stockpile of detergent purchased when Amazon was having their grocery sales. This week I was scraping the bottom of the box, and decided it was time to make my own.
I went back and looked at her post. I checked the links she had and a few others. The recipes all call for Washing Soda. The sites said it should be readily available in the laundry aisle of your store. I planned to pick up the three ingredients when I did the rest of my grocery shopping. I needed Borax, soap, and washing soda.
Washing soda was not available at the store I went to. Since I had all four kids with me, I also was not willing to make another stop, just to look for this item. There were, however, very large boxes of baking soda next to the Borax. Picked up one of those and figured I could make it work.
From what I read here, it seemed to me washing soda was basically just doubly strong baking soda. I adjusted the recipe by doubling up on the baking soda. This is my adjusted recipe:
1 bar (4.5 oz) Ivory soap (grated)
1 C Borax
1 C Baking Soda
I cut the soap into about 4 pieces and used the food processor to grate it, and then 
mixed in the soda and Borax. When all mixed, I put it in a cleaned out coffee container for storage. The original recipe called for 1 TB detergent for a normal load, and two for heavily soiled. Since my soap to soda ratio was different, I decided to up the portion size to 1 1/2 TB for a normal load.
That seemed to work. The clothes came out clean, and I had no issues with the performance of the homemade detergent. Of course it didn't have the fragrance of other detergents, but that doesn't bother me.
Jenn has a great price comparison with her recipe. Of course, mine will be a little different, but I am sure it is still a substantial savings per load. With the number of loads we do around here, it will add up quick!
A couple of things I will do different next time:
- I will look for the washing soda at a different store.
- I will make a much larger batch. I used about 1/2 the batch in a couple of days.
- I will wash the food processor by hand. It worked great to grate the soap, but when I put it in my dishwasher, it left a film on the plastic dishes. Maybe it was just the Ivory though.
*updated* 4/21/07
I've been very happy with this detergent, but have had two issues that I've tweaked the recipe a bit to deal with.
The first was the soap was not dissolving well in cold water loads. Not a major deal, but annoying. In Jenn's original recipe you can see how she got a finer powder that dissolved better. I tried something a little different.
I cut the soap up and let it sit out a few hours before grating. Then I grated it in the food processor. It did grate up a bit finer, but what really helped was adding the soda and Borax and processing the whole thing in the food processor. The powder was just a fine as any detergent I've purchased. I no longer have any problems with it dissolving in cold water.
The second issue won't apply to everyone, and I'm not even positive it is related to the detergent. It has to do with cloth diapers. Vivian got a terrible diaper rash shortly after we switched to the homemade detergent. I'm not convinced it was the detergent. She was also sick at the time, so that may have contributed. When Heather made the detergent, it didn't bother those in her family with sensitive skin.
None the less I've started using only 1/2 TB of detergent in the diapers and am using extra vinegar in the rinse. (The vinegar helps get any remaining soap residue out.) The diapers are still clean, and the diaper rash is better.
As for using washing soda instead of baking soda, I have contacted Arm & Hammer, and gotten no response. I looked in the pool supplies of one store and did not see it by sodium carbonate either. I'm happy with how it works now. If I run across washing soda, I may pick some up to try, otherwise I'll just keep doing what I'm doing.
Labels:
laundry and cleaning,
Make it from scratch,
recipes
43 comments:
Glad that worked for you. Not to sure if I am ready to give up mt 'all' detergent yet.
Just passing through following links and noticed this.
Washing soda is sodium carbonate (baking soda is sodium bicarbonate). You can find sodium carbonate in the pool section of stores. It's used to raise the pH of a pool. I use it for dyeing, which is how I found it there. I usually pay about US$4-6 for a 5 pound jar.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_carbonate
You've got to be kidding me! I was thinking about looking up a recipe for this, too. I just opened my last box of detergent I bought from Amazon and I thought, "Wouldn't this be a great challenge week entry?" You beat me to it. Glad it worked so well. Maybe I'll give it a go.
Now that is funny! I picked up the same ingredients and also backed out on the baking soda because of the same logic. I bought a huge thing of baking soda from our wholesale club so I thought I would just use that instead. Great post! I am excited to give this recipe a try!
Glad it worked out for you! I usually double or triple the recipe so I don't have to make it as often-but then again with the food processor it isn't such a big deal to make it.
If you go to the Arm & Hammer Website and use their "contact us" form at the bottom and write them giving your location and zip code asking specifically what stores in your local area have washing soda, they will write you back and let you know! This is what I did when I moved to NY from VA and got frustrated after trying about 7 different places. . . .
I use baking soda and/or borax with my regular laundry detergent. Hmmm... maybe I should just be making my own. lol!
Another one that I may have to try.
Great recipe when you run out of detergent too! I always have borax handy...i use it as a laundry booster for my cheapo detergent. It also works as an insecticide - kills ants.
Thanks to your post, I've been encouraged to give this a go. I thought that the homemade stuff was always liquid and I would rather use powder.
Namaste,
kali
I'm going to save a few empty bottles from the eco-detergent I've been using and try this.
I'm not sure, but I think I came across a simple recipe for shampoo browsing your blog. Maybe it was in someone's blog who had participated in a "make it from scratch." I'm having a hard time finding it now. Any ideas?
Andy,
Don't know how to contact you, so hope you check the comments again. :)
I didn't post the shampoo recipe, and don't remember it being part of the carnival. If you find it I'd love to check it out too!
How cool to make your own detergent! I've been thinking of starting to make my own cleaning products. I might work my way up to detergent one day.
Hi, just something people may not know about baking soda. I know a guy who is a bit of a survivalist while i don't subscribe to his political standpoint, he does have some good ideas. When camping, he puts some water in a basin and puts baking soda in it (he just eyeballs it) then gives himself a sponge bath. He says it cleans you up as good as soap. I haven't tried it my self but plan to in the future.
I have made this powdered laundry detergent before too. I can't find Fels Naptha soap anymore around here so I use Zote and it works. I haven't made it in about a year as I have been finding detergent that works just as well as a comparable price. I do like the smell of the homemade better though.
I make my own laundry detergent, too! Same recipe and everything. I found it at catherinewheels78.blogspot.com.
Have you noticed any buildup on your clothes or in your washing machine? She noticed some after using the detergent for awhile.
And I used it for washing cloth diapers for awhile, but I had some pocket diapers that started repelling liquids (read: would not absorb what they were supposed to absorb!) and I found that is was the animal fat in Ivory that was building up on the pocket diapers, which have a much tighter weave than prefolds (the prefolds never seemed to be affected).
Just curious if you ran across any of this as well. I still use the detergent on regular clothes, but I stopped using it on diapers.
You can find me at www.thenaturalmommy.com
Thanks!
I have been making my own laundry detergent for about a year now and loving it. Although, I too, have found that my kitchen towels are repelling water. A bit of a problem when you're wanting to dry something. I've decided to try rinsing with vinegar to see if it will make a difference. The other I have noticed is that after a time of using the homemade detergent, my whites started looking a little dingy. I just went back to some commercial stuff for a while and it whitened them back up. If anyone has any ideas on the water repelling, please post it.
Thanks
Beth & Angkee,
I have not had the problem with fabric repelling liquid. I would try the rinse with vinegar. I use that on my diapers, but not on my towels. I don't use fabric softener on anything.
One other thing that I thought of is I line dry. Neither of you mentioned if you did or not and I wonder if it would make a difference.
I am also going to check with another blogger who uses Zote soap and see if she has had this issue.
I should update to say too that I am using the sodium carbonate now. Finally did find it in the pool section. (I couldn't at the beginning of the season though)
I do line dry when the weather is favorable. I haven't thought to notice if that makes a difference. I'll pay attention and let you know what I find out.
Angekee,
I did check with Jenn @ Frugal Upstate and she has not had the absorbency problem either. She said she use vinegar to rinse every load.
Another thing I thought is if the homemade is not doing it for you, you could use the homemade to stretch the store detergent. Mix them about 1/2 and 1/2 to see how that works. If it works then try to stretch it even further until you get the right mix. That is what I do with my dishwasher detergent.
I found that there is 90 percent sodium carbinate in Prestone Heavy Duty Cooling System Cleaner. Can you use that as a substitute for washing soda?
shine,
Well I would think that would depend on what the other 10% is. You wouldn't want anything that would damage clothing or suds to much in the washer. I did eventually find it in the pool supplies.
What you need to look for in the pool supply store is Soda Ash.. it is Washing Soda by a different name.. you can get selections from 5lbs up to 50lbs.
Here the 5 lb container is $12 or 50lbs for $54. I am going to get a 50lb container next time i go to the pool supply cause over all its the cheapest and it never goes bad.
Also if you can find a place to get borax in bulk like a 50lb container, You REALLY save even more then by getting it in the box at the store.
The other plus you do not have to go looking for them but once in a blue moon.
Also make huge batches use a 5 gallon bucket to store it. If storage is an issue for you stack the borax and soda ash under the laundry Detergent you made. This also brings the bucket up to a nice level so there is no leaning up to get into it ontop of the dryer or leaning over to get into it on the floor.
I will be offering grated lye soap in my Etsy store soon. So if you don't want to grate up your soap any more keep an eye out for that too. As well as offering laundry detergent though my store soon.
Good luck !!
I would think that switching soaps from lye based to glycerin based would make a difference in how well it rinses. I use Dr. Bronners liquid 2-3 Tbl. added to 1 C Borax
1 C. baking soda or washing soda. Rinse cycle add 1/4 cup vinegar, works great. Besides using a 100 perc. biodegradable soap gives me a little more peace of mind, and I know I have help some of the beautiful reef and fish surrounding me:) It costs about the same too.
I've had trouble finding "super washing soda" too, BUT I found this toll free number for locating stores that stock it. I was pleasantly surprised to find 3 stores in my town listed. 1-800-524-1328
Soap Nuts (Soapnuts) – The Environmental Detergent
Have you ever thought about all the chemicals that we pour down the drain daily? What impact do they have on our environment? What does this mean for our children’s future? How can we minimize the harmful chemicals we use & save the environment at the same time? Soap Nuts are the answer.
What are Soap Nuts?
Soap Nuts are not actually nuts at all, but berries (also known as soap berries) that grow on trees in India & Nepal. They contain high concentrations of saponin, which acts as a natural soap when it comes into contact with water.
What can I use Soap Nuts for?
The most common & easiest use of soap nuts is as a laundry detergent. Just place three or four half-shells of soap nuts in a muslin bag (provided with most soap nuts orders) and throw it in with your laundry instead of regular detergent and you are on your way to becoming environmentally friendly. When using soap nuts in your laundry, you do not even need a rinse cycle, thus preventing gallons of water from unnecessarily going down the drain. If you want to expand your soap nuts into a multi-purpose cleaner, simply boil 100 g of soap nuts in 12 cups (3L) of water for 30 minutes. Fish out the shells, throw them in your compost, & you are left with a highly concentrated, natural, liquid detergent. For more applications, visit http://SoapNuts.Wordpress.com
How does the use of Soap Nuts affect Grey Water?
Soap nuts are antimicrobial. After their detergent goes into the sewer system, it helps break down the grey water into a more usable form. The use of soap nuts actually benefit the environment, rather than hurting it as the harmful chemicals we use do. Because of their unique antimicrobial properties, soap nuts are also used in aid of soil restoration.
What harmful chemicals are found in my regular laundry detergent?
Regular laundry detergents may contain any or all of the following:
Enzymes – Are a skin sensitizer, but may cause dermatitis and allergic reactions
Sodium Hypochlorite – Causes lung irritations, bronchial or respiratory reactions, cardiovascular damage, as well as eye and skin damage.
Nonylphenoxy Ethoxylates – Is an edocrine disruptor, and can cause an activation of cellular estrogen receptors (even at low levels) This is implicated in causes of a rise in breast and prostate cancer, infertility issues, a decline in amphibian populations and the reversal / feminization of birds, fish or reptiles.
Are Soap Nuts Gentle on my skin?
Yes. Soap nuts contain no chemicals, and are therefore non-allergenic. Many people (myself included) who suffered from eczema and other skin irritations have seen their problems diminish after switching to soap nuts as a laundry detergent.
How does my Purchase of Soap Nuts affect India & Nepal?
Your purchase of soap nuts is beneficial to both the economy & environment of India & Nepal. In these two countries, there are many poor people. Because soap nuts are plentiful, they become non-saleable locally. Therefore, soap nut trees become more valuable & marketable as firewood than for the environmentally friendly soap nuts that they grow. When soap nuts are marketed overseas, it employs local residents to harvest them, which in turn, stimulates the economy. At the same time, it makes the trees more valuable living than dead. This helps save our tropical forests.
Soap Nuts are the Environmental Detergent.
The use of soap nuts reduces the use of harmful chemicals, helps in restoring our polluted earth, and saves our tropical forests. Isn’t it time you did your part in painting a greener future for our children?
For more information on soap nuts & pricing visit http://Stores.HotterThanHealth.com
Regarding washing soda,
Also look in the paint section of your local Home Depot for a product called TSP substitute. It's pure sodium carbonate (aka washing soda) and can be had for cheap. :-)
I absolutely love Zote soap. I grate up a bar by hand into a large bowl and let it set out for a few days, turning it over everyday to get a little dry. Then I grate it into a fine pebble-y like powder in a blender (or food processor). Once that is done I scoop my mixture of zote and borax into plastic containers (you can find them in the grocery usually used for storing pasta, beans, cereal etc. I use 1/2cup of borax to every 1cup of finely grated zote. It works beautifully in the wash with no problems, even in cold washes; I use 1/4 cup (2-3 tablespoons) for normal loads and up to 1/2cup for large or heavy soaked loads. I also add to every wash a scoop of "OxyClean" or Wal-mart's brand "Sun Oxygen Cleaner" (MUCH cheaper than oxyclean) but I do not mix this ahead of time into the zote mixture (as some websites would have you do) For fear it will not get enough of it per wash.
I also use zote for every spill, stain, dog accident etc around the house. Just put a table spoon of the borax/zote mixture into a bowl with some warm water and stir, it works great.
you can make washing soda from baking soda. just stick it in an oven proof dish and bake it at 300 F for 2 hours.
Well that is a new one. I'll have to try that.
Interesting. I never knew you could do that.
You can also find sodium carbonate in the Marine section of pet shops where the aquariums are... :-)
Thanks for the info. I will have to check out our local pet shop.
My friend gave me this recepie and we can only find the washing soda at Kroger. She did the math and it comes out to one cent a load, I love it.
I had a problem finding washing soda also locally (near Ocala FL) finally I found it at Publix along with fels naptha. My son works at another local grocery store and I found out we can fill out a form at the customer service desk to request the store carry a product for you! :)
I've been using this recipe for a year but with the washing soda.. I opted to use a brand of laundry detergent powder instead of the soap.. cut out that step in the process and dont have pieces not dissolving... so it works just as well... could use Arm and Hammer detergent.. I just use what's on sale...
Regarding mcmikepdx post about TSP substitute.
Not all TSP substitutes are created equal. DAP's version is only 80 percent NACO3. Others contain various similar chemicals but are not Sodium Carbonate.
Otherwise, he is one to somethings as many products are cross marketed.
Sorry forgot the 2 in Na2CO3. So much for multi-tasking
@Matt about soapnuts:
If soap nuts are a biological product than they contain chemicals ;)
Fels naptha soap contains white spirits (stoddard solvent) formerly used in the dry cleaning industry. It is classified as an irritant, which can lead to dermatitis. Acute exposure can lead to central nervous system depression resulting in lack of coordination and slowed reactions. Exposure to very high concentrations in enclosed spaces can lead to general narcotic effects (drowsiness, dizziness, nausea etc...) and can eventually lead to unconsciousness. Oral ingestion presents a high aspiration hazard. It is recommended for use to remove the oils from exposure to poison ivy/oak, but I would otherwise resist using it, especially around young children. You can find more in the Wikipedia article which is where I got this information.
Long time lurker, thought I would say hello! I really dont post much but thanks for the good times I have here. Love this place..
I have been making my laundry detergent for about 2 years now and love it.
Just wanted to say, the only grocery store I've found washing soda at is Giant, don't know if that is nationwide or just mid-Atlantic, but thought I'd let you all know. They also carry Fels-Naptha.
Another place to look for Fels-Naptha...hardware stores (not Home Depot)...like Ace or True Value...real hardware stores, not big box home centers usually carry it.
I have been making my own soap for a very long time, never had any absorbancy issues. I do rinse in vinegar.
You should always use Washing soda and not baking soda, they are not the same thing.
I make a liquid version because I think it works better. And I use my own handmade soap because it costs about 7 cents a load that way. I use it for the dishwasher too.
It became so popular with my family and friends that I had to start selling it on our website. Who would have thought laundry soap would become a best seller lol
We tried making our own laundry soap, but prefer soap nuts.
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