How To Make Laundry Detergent

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Are you spending your spare time organizing, cleaning and dreaming of Spring? I have devoted a chunk of time each day to evaluating my home management systems, expenses, and areas that could use improvement.

One of them is how much I spend on cleaning supplies and laundry detergents. While cleaning and organizing my laundry room I stopped and counted how many big plastic jugs of laundry soap were sitting on the shelf. Too many. Not to mention how many have gone into my recycling bin since I made my last batch of homemade laundry detergent.

I have made both powder and liquid detergent before, and from a standpoint of time and storage space, I prefer the powder form. The liquid was good too, but I was able to make this in about 10 minutes with supplies I already had on hand. Less time than it would take me to run to the store for laundry soap right?

Here is what I used:

(This recipe makes about 1 1/2 quarts

of dry powder laundry detergent)

Lavender Laundry Detergent

*use 2 T. to a large load*

1 1/2 cups of Borax

2 cups of Washing Soda (not baking soda)

2 bars of finely grated Yardley’s English Lavender soap

(Ivory and other mild soaps also work well)

I mixed my Borax and Washing Soda well in a large mixing bowl and set aside. Using a sturdy cheese grater, on the finer of the two shreds (I am one of the last people without a food processor, I just would not use it enough to justify buying one. But if I was to receive one as a gift I would be totally ok with that hee hee) I grated both bars and added them to the Borax and Washing Soda.

I blended them together and put them in a cute glass jar I found at Wal Mart for about $5. I keep a pretty vintage tablespoon handy and every time I do a large load of laundry I add 2 T. to the water while it is filling up. Our clothes smell amazing and this batch will probably outlast a couple of those huge jugs of laundry detergent. Plus they are usually about $18 a piece, yikes! I have a top loading machine, however I understand that this works well in front loading machines as well. But please check with the manufacturer if you are concerned. I have heard no negative feedback from friends who have made this so far.

Also, don’t be worried if you do not see a lot of suds, those are added to make us feel like we are really getting our clothes clean by the manufacturer. They do not assist in removing dirt, stains or help our clothes get clean. They are more of a laundry placebo.

And that’s it, my kitchen smells sooo good as I made a batch of this today. And the laundry room? Well it smells like I would think my great grandmother’s laundry probably smelled after she pulled it off the clothes line, ironed and folded a few sprigs of dried lavender between the linens for good measure. I feel connected with the women who came before me when I am able to make things myself, and manage my home with the technology I love, and a dose of resourceful living.

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live every Monday night at 5pm PST, see you there!!

Hugs & Blessings

xoxo, Tanya

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Comments

Our Pinteresting Family says

January 14, 2013 at 1:02 pm

I made this a few months ago…and am finally running out of my regular detergent to give it a try. I like how you added lavender soap. I may have to mix that in. 🙂

Daniela @Frugal Aint Cheap says

January 14, 2013 at 3:39 pm

I have tried that before, but with sales and coupons I can usually find detergent for really cheap. Obviously this would make a cheaper alternative if buying laudry soap at regular price 🙂

Anonymous says

January 14, 2013 at 5:45 pm

I have made this for the past year or so, I love the lavender soap idea. I have been using Sunlight laundry bar soap & it makes the laundry smell so fresh,my laundry room smells lemony…the clothes, just smell clean. Must look for the lavender soap. 🙂

Shannon Fox says

January 15, 2013 at 3:09 am

I so want o not be lazy and try this. LOL! I know I should. I will however, pin it so others, non lazy people can see your great recipe!!

Mums make lists says

January 16, 2013 at 7:30 am

Love the lavender idea! And love the blog and your pin boards!

City Farmhouse says

January 17, 2013 at 7:10 pm

Hi Tanya, wow, what a great recipe! I love your blog, you are soo creative! Newest follower, Jen

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Sharon says

October 7, 2021 at 5:47 am

Thanks for sharing Tanya. Now I can have some backup detergent ready before the ones I bought are totally used up. It’s scary to even grocery shop during Covid. Do you have other DIY detergent tutorials on making different kinds of flavors?

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