I used to be a HUGE couponer. My stockpile was massive with almost everything, most especially laundry detergent. I haven’t been such an avid couponer the past few years, and just last week I ran out of laundry detergent! First time in years. I haven’t bought laundry detergent for such a long time that I about DIED at the price when I went to the store. I just couldn’t bring myself to pay for a large container of good detergent! I did my research online and decided to make my own. I have thought about doing this for years, and decided now was the time.

There are a lot of recipes out there for homemade laundry detergent. I went with a recipe my friend Heather shared on her blog. It looked easy, which was key for me! Plus, it is supposed to make enough for 8-9 months, which I liked.

Here is what you need to make your own laundry detergent. All of these I found together at Walmart in the detergent asile.

3 bars Fels Naptha Soap (grated)
1 three lb 7 oz box Washing Soda
1 four lb box Baking Soda
1 four lb 12 oz box Borax
3.5 lbs Oxi Clean (or the store brand equivilant)

First, grate the Fels Naptha Soap. I used a hand grater, you could use a food processor. It smelled great and was really easy. Kind of looks like grated cheese! Don’t worry…it dissolves just fine in the washer. I usually use cold water and I have not had a problem.

Next, get a large bucket or container to mix everything in really well. I used two tubs and just divided everything up in half and mixed it up together really well. Worked great and smelled great!

This is what it looks like when all mixed up.

This recipe makes about 2 gallons of detergent. I didn’t want to spend extra money on a container, so I just used two empty ice cream buckets I had and labeled them with a sharpie. Walmart does carry 1 gallon glass containers if you want something prettier.

Now here is the best part….you only need 1-2 Tablespoons of detergent per load! Isn’t that amazing? Homemade detergent doesn’t have all the fillers that store bought does so it stretches much further. I have used this detergent this weekend 3 times in color loads and whites. The clothes have come out smelling great and are nice and clean! I am very pleased so far.

Here is the cost breakdown of this detergent recipe. I got everything at Walmart in the detergent asile.

3 bars Fels Naptha Soap (grated): .97 each, $2.91 total
1 three lb 7 oz box Super Washing Soda: $3.24
1 four lb box Baking Soda: $2.12
1 four lb 12 oz box Borax: (I already had this on hand, so I don’t have the exact price)
3.5 lbs Oxi Clean (or the store brand equivilant): $7.52

TOTAL: $16.74 (minus the Borax, but that is around $3)

So for about $20, you can have 8-9 months worth of detergent! It works out to be meager pennies per load. Now so you know, the Oxi Clean is an optional ingredient, but if your kids are messy or you have lots of stains and heavy washing I recommend adding it. My Walmart was out of the store brand Oxi Clean, which was cheaper.

I figured this was worth the investment to try it out. I do between 35-40 loads of laundry a month, and that is only increasing! Have you ever made homemade laundry detergent? How has it worked for you?