DiY Laundry Detergent

In follow-up to my post about how I handle laundry days, I thought I'd add how I make my own laundry detergent. Here's the recipe:


2 bars Fels Naptha soap
2 cups Borax
2 cups Arm & Hammer Washing Soda


Using the blades of your food processor, create a fine powder from the Fels Naptha bars of soap. This is very dusty, so I put a towel over the food processor, then let it settle before I open it.


Combine with the Borax and Washing Soda. Use 1 Tablespoon per load of laundry, allowing it to dissolve in the water before you add your clothes.


A few notes: Fels Naptha looks like a bar of soap. I find it at a Kroger grocery store, near the laundry detergent and stain removers. The Arm & Hammer Washing Soda is NOT the laundry detergent. You will find it with the household cleaners, or near the Borax. It's in a yellow box.


As far as fabric softener, I use--at most--a half cap full and fill the rest with water. Do not use the amount suggested on your bottle! And do not use any fabric softener with your "hot" laundry such as towels, wash cloths, underwear, etc. This will also help your machine from developing the build-up of "gunk" around the rim.


I have not done the exact savings calculation on this, but it is pennies to the dollar! I love easy ways like this to "earn" money for my family.