Homemade Laundry Detergent

I have been making my own laundry detergent for a couple of years now. In the past I had assumed that this was a lost art that required much work, painstaking time commitments and effort. And I was pleasantly surprised that it was just as easy as making cookie dough. Actually more like mixing jello. 

I had also assumed that homemade detergent might be more expensive or the same price as store bought detergent. My homemade detergent is only a fraction of the cost of store bought brands. I would say that one batch has lasted a good 6 months. Granted, we don't have children, but still...the difference in cost is amazing!

I got this "recipe" from a friend of mine and others that I have seen are very similar. I use powder detergent, mainly because it is easier to transport and less of a mess to clean if it is spilled. 

1 cup Washing Soda
1/2 cup Borax
1 bar Fels Neptha or Ivory soap

1-2 Tbsp per load

I have seen that some people add different scents and whatnot. I'm not yet so adventurous but do revel in the thought. And although there are no scents added I do love how this detergents smells on my clean clothes. 

There is something so satisfying about using your own make-with-care-and-love detergent to wash the fabric your family lives in, wraps around themselves. It makes the task of endless loads of laundry seem at least a little less torturous. 

Happy Detergent Making!