I LOVE THIS POWDERED LAUNDRY DETERGENT “RECIPE”!
WHEN WE WERE INTRODUCED TO THIS LAUNDRY SOAP RECIPE SEVERAL YEARS AGO BY A FRIEND, WE DECIDED TO TRY IT OUT. I’ll HAVE TO ADMIT, AT FIRST, I WAS A BIT SKEPTICAL IF IT WOULD REALLY DO THE JOB.
AFTER TRYING A LIQUID DETERGENT AND DECIDING THERE WERE TOO MANY STEPS TO IT (NOT TO MENTION IT DISSOLVES QUICKLY IN THE WASH ANYWAYS), I CAME UP WITH OUR OWN EASY DETERGENT!
SO, LET’S GET STARTED. . .
YOU’LL WANT TO HAVE A LARGE BUCKET OR PLASTIC CONTAINER TO EASILY BE ABLE TO MIX EVERYTHING TOGETHER.
Start by mixing together the baking soda, super soda, Borax, and OxiClean.
I find that it’s best to add one ingredient, mix it up, and then add the next ingredient. A large wooden spoon works really well to get it all mixed up, but feel free to use whatever, including your hands. 🙂 Next, add your booster, whether it’s Purex Crystals, Downy Unstoppables, or the Arm & Hammer Clean Sensations. This ingredient is based on personal preference, so whatever smell you prefer is what you can use. 🙂 My favorite is the Purex Crystals, but I like to mix it up and try new scents. (You’ll want to save the lid if you use the Purex Crystals since the top makes the perfect measured scoop.) Mix it all up again. You can see how well you’re mixing everything up now that you have some color in there.
I like to grate one bar, mix it up, then grate the other and mix it in. I find it’s easier to mix in one bar at a time, than trying to mix in all of the shredded pieces at the same time. *The Zote is very easy to grate and makes larger shreds. The Fels-Naptha is harder to grate and makes finer shreds. So, you can experiment with it and see which you prefer and which works better in your washing machine.
I found something a couple of years ago when I was out getting my laundry soap ingredients. . .already grated Zote flakes!! So, if you are in a rush to get your laundry soap mixed up, or you just don’t feel like grating the soap, you can buy it already done. It does costs twice as much, but it might be worth it to you. If you decide to use this, you’ll need 2 boxes.
Once you’ve gotten it all mixed up, it’s good to go! It’s that easy!
I like to fill up my empty OxiClean container for what I want to easily have on hand and store the rest in a 2-gallon bucket with a lid.
Put the soap directly in the drum if you have a front loading washing machine.
a homemade powdered laundry soap that really works and smells good, too!
Mix the baking soda, super soda, Borax, and OxiClean in your bucket, stirring after adding each ingredient.
Grate the bars of soap and mix in.
Use 2 Tbsp. for normal loads and 3 Tbsp. for larger/soiled loads.
*The Zote is very easy to grate and makes larger shreds. The Fels-Naptha is harder to grate and makes finer shreds. So, you can experiment with it and see which you prefer and which works better in your washing machine.
P.S. I also love adding a bit of vinegar to my machine during the start of the rinse cycle, like DIY Naturals recommends!
It definitely helps with towels especially!
Is this soap safe for babies?
Hmm, none of us have allergies, so I’m not 100% sure about that. The scent isn’t very strong, just clean.
16 oz peroxide for tough odors wash before or add to the water with this. It gets the odors out of even my teen boys toughest gym socks.
We have found it to be safe for high efficiency washers since it contains no sudsing agent as an ingredient. It is recommended that you put it directly in the washer and avoid the automatic dispenser. But try it in your own machine and use your own discretion. 🙂 Hope this helps!
How long does this mixture last? And is it safe on colors along with whites as well?
Hi, Delana– You use 2 Tbsp. per load, so it just depends on how much laundry you do for how long it lasts. 😉 We have always found it to be safe on colors and whites, but always use your own discretion.
Now I only use this recipe for detergent. Less expensive also, it lasts a very long time.
I’m using this recipe and it seems to clean well, but I’m finding that there is still bad smell, say armpit zone. Should I use more? Maybe add more scent booster? I would love any advice as I really would like to continue using. Thanks!
If you have heavy soiled clothes, you could try just running it through the washer with some vinegar before washing. You could try adding a little more soap to see if that helps, and definitely more scent booster is an option– or even try another brand if you prefer. The scent booster is just personal preference! Also, hot/warm water may cause the odor to “set” in more, so you could try washing on cold. Hope this helps!
I always put a couple tablespoons of white vinegar in with my wash! It eliminates any mustiness.
I have heard that the vinegar is most efficient as a softener/booster when added in the rinse phase of the cycle as it can neutralize the baking soda during the wash. I know some like to place the vinegar in a downy ball so it releases at the appropriate time. Have you ever found that to be an issue, W. ladies?
But I always put it right in with my soap, and my laundry smells really fresh and clean!
Gotcha! Good to know. I did manage to find a downy ball….apparently the only place locally I can find them (along with Zote) is Walmart. I did choose to use Fels-Naptha as we have hard water but will try Zote next time, whenever our family of 2 needs more! 😀 Thanks for the money-saving tips and tricks!
This is the exact recipe I’m using now too. And, instead of fabric softener, I just use white vinegar. It works just fine and does not leave a smell once the clothes are dry.
Don’t you love this soap recipe? ????That’s nice to know. ???????? I’ve heard of people doing that but haven’t tried it yet.
I always put a couple tablespoons of white vinegar in my wash! It eliminates any mustiness.
Does it leave a suddy residue and is it high efficiency safe?
We’ve been making and using this for years and it has not left a suddy residue for us. As far as being safe for high efficiency washers, it should be since it contains no sudsing agent as an ingredient. It is recommended that you put it directly in the washer and avoid the automatic dispenser. But try it in your own machine and use your own discretion. :-)Hope this helps!