Homemade laundry powder detergent in our homeschool

My son's science project today was to make homemade laundry powder detergent.  I was really impressed how inexpensive it was to make this, how long it should last, and how fun my son had making it!

So let's get started.  Here is a list of ingredients you'll need:

1 box of Borax ($3.97)

1 box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda ($3.97)

3 bars of Ivory soap ($3.97 for 10 bars)

(The prices above are from Walmart.)

First, you pour the Borax and Super Washing Soda together in a container and stir. (Don't mind my kitchen table, it's a mess!)

Then you need to grate all three bars of soap, one at a time.  I purchased an $0.88 grater at Walmart and will use it only for soap. You want to grate the bar (one at a time) into a medium size bowl.



After EACH bar is grated, you need to take a few handfuls of the mixture (Borax & Washing Soda) from the large container and put in the small bowl with the gated soap bar.  Run it through your hands and fingers until all the soap has the consistency of powder.  



This may take a few minutes.  Then do the next bar, and then the last bar. The reason why you need to do these one at a time is because it is easier to mix a small amount at a time and to get the soap to turn into powder.  ;)

Once all the soap is of a powder consistency, you can mix it in the large container with the Borax and Washing Soda.





Mix it all together really good and your done!  You will only use 1 tbs per load!  Yes, 1 tbs!  You can use a measuring spoon if you want.  I didn't have an extra spoon so I used one of those medication cups you get with children's cough syrup. ;)  Works great!



Now, check this out!  This container will do approx. 452 loads of laundry!  (The supplies cost around $12.00)  That is $0.02 per load!

I figure that this batch will last me approx. 2 years!  I do around 216 loads per year, 18 loads per month, normally.

Why powder instead of liquid?  There are several recipes for liquid detergent.  One really good one is the Duggar's recipe.  However, it's a bit more time consuming due to you have to boil water to get the soap to dissolve, sit over night to set, then stir the next day, and then find something to put the 4 gallons in.  Yes, you could use a 5 gal. bucket with a lid or milk jugs.  But I decided that this was easier for me AND it will last longer!  The Duggar's liquid soap contains 180 loads (for top load washer).  Click HERE for a youtube video on how to make the Duggar's recipe.  

For a youtube video of THIS powder recipe, click HERE.

Now, for fabric softener.  You didn't think I was going to forget about the fabric softener did you?  I hang my clothes out all spring, summer, and fall so I need this or my clothes can get a bit wrinkled and/or 'crunchy'.  

This is a list of what you will need for the Liquid Fabric Softener:



1 cup of Baking Soda ($2.24 large box)
6 cups of white vinegar ($2.48, gallon)
7 cups of tap water (not pictured)
Essential oil (optional)

(Again, prices are from Walmart.)

Ok, first you pour 1 cup of baking soda in a LARGE bowl.  I stress LARGE or you will have a mess!  Then add ONE cup of water for now.  Mix until the soda is dissolved.  

Next, you pour in 6 cups of white vinegar but only 2 cups at a time! 





Once all the vinegar is in and mixed, add the remaining 6 cups of water and then add your essential oil.  A floral scent would work nicely.  I used Lavender. (Which will be the last time I use that.  I am finding that I don't like the smell of Lavender.)

After mixed completely, pour into a container.  

Use 1 cup per load during rinse cycle.





I used an this old milk jug.  It filled it 3/4 full.  I'm not exactly sure how long this will last. I can estimate that if there is 128 oz. per gallon, and 8 oz. per cup, with this gallon being only 3/4 full, I will probably get about 12 loads (1 cup per load) out of this container.  So my cost would be less than $3 per batch (not counting the essential oils).  I figured one cup of soda is probably $1 (for a small box) and then for the amount of vinegar I used, maybe another $1.  ??  Still very inexpensive for fabric softener WITHOUT the nasty chemicals! That would be approx. $0.25 per load for the fabric softener.

I hope you enjoyed this.  I decided to do this, not as much to save money, but because it's less I have to buy.   So this will not only save me money, but time.  I also have heard that there are several additives and toxic chemicals in laundry soap.  Not sure how that compares with the borax, but keep in mind, borax is NOT boric acid!  If you want to learn more about borax and it's dangers and/or environmental standings, click HERE and this blog explains and compares to others. 

Hope you enjoy your new homemade laundry soap!  

Happy Homesteading!