Laundry Detergent: Easy Tutorial

While I'm wrapping things up in the Laundry Room, I'm going to share my new favorite way to save money.  I really think you'll like it too.

 Homemade Laundry Detergent!

I've seen people talk about doing this, but I just assumed it was one extra hassle.  One extra hassle this mommy didn't have time to mess with.  It probably wouldn't make my clothes smell any cleaner than they were when they went in, it probably wouldn't really save me money...are you picking up that I'm a skeptic by now?  "Realist" is what I like to tell Steven. :-)

But the realist in me finally realized we were going through Gain Laundry Detergent like nobodies business around here.  Between me painting up a storm, the girls getting grass stains from playing outside, Keller being a natural born spitter, and all the other normal messes from a family of 5, we were going through loads of laundry like an Oklahoma fire takes over a dry field: rapid fire.

But this is so easy y'all and saves definite pennies - I'm hooked for good.

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 ~ Laundry Detergent ~

You'll need:

:: 1 cup Borax - 

{found in the Detergent aisle of Wal Mart}

:: 1 cup Baking Soda

:: 1 bar of ivory soap - grated

Simply grate your bar of soap like you would a block of cheese...

Mix in your Borax...

Mix in your baking soda...

Mix it all together...

Store in an airtight container...

And you're done!

The directions I had from The Stirring Place said you only need 1 - 2 tablespoons of the detergent per load.  But I don't think they had any kind of idea who they were dealing with.  So, I like to put 3 tablespoons in my washer as the water is going in.  That way it'll dissolve and not get clumpy in my clothes.  Then, I put my messy clothes in.

P.S. I did double the recipe since we go through laundry so fast.

So far, it's working great for our family!