Monday, February 16, 2015

Homemade Laundry Detergent

Dry method
1 c. 20 Mule Team Borax
1 c. Arm & Hammer Washing Soda
1 c. Arm & Hammer Baking Soda
½ c. Oxy Clean
Mix above ingredients in 1# plastic container (I used an old coffee container).

Grate ½ bar of Fels Naptha 5.5 oz. bar soap with fine cheese grater.
Add the grated Fels Napther to a food processor and add ½ c. of first mix. Process until a fine grain.
Add the rest of the 1st mix to the food processor and blend until mixed well.
Store in plastic container.
Use 2-3 Tablespoons of mix per full wash load.
My OxyClean came with a 2T. scoop so I use that.

I would guess about 30 loads per recipe.
I was very pleased with the results!

My costs, tax not included, 2/4/15 from WalMart, all items found in laundry aisle:
$ 3.97 Borax, enough for several batches
3.97 Arm & Hammer Washing Soda, enough for several batches
2.24 Arm & Hammer Baking Soda, enough for several batches
3.86 Oxy Clean (optional), enough for several batches
0.97 Fels Naptha bar soap, 1, enough for 2 batches
$15.01 total cost

Estimating cost per load…
Add 1 more bar of Fels Naptha at $0.97 to make a total of $15.98, which should make 4 batches.
4 (batches) x 30 (loads) = 120 (loads)
$15.98 divided by 120 = $0.133 (about 13-14 cents per load)

Natural Ivory Soap Method:
Follow above but use a 3.1 oz. bar of Ivory Soap instead of ½ bar of Fels Naptha.