Him: What are you doing, honey?
Me: What does it look like?
Him: It looks like you are grating cheese into a bucket.
Me: Cheese?
Him: Yes, cheese. Why are you grating cheese into a bucket?
Me: Well, I'm not. This is not cheese. It is soap.
Him: Why are you grating soap into a bucket?
Me: Because I am making my own detergent.
Him: Why? Isn't it easier to just buy detergent?
Me: Well, yes, but this is what other bloggers have been doing so I want to try it, too and maybe it will clean better.
Him: So if the other bloggers do it you should, too?
Me: Of course.
Him: Okay. Well, grate away then.
Me: Hey, I'm saving you money!
Yep, I decided to make my own detergent. I followed Yvonne's tutorial.
Yes, this does kind of look like cheese.
I put all the ingredients in a bucket instead of a big garbage bag and mixed and mixed and mixed. Then I poured it back and forth to another bucket to make sure it was mixed really well.
I found this nice large jar with a tight fitting lid at World Market. I was going to get a label for the jar and then I was at Hobby Lobby looking around and found these cute stick on typewriter wooden letters. Perfect.
I have had this wooden scoop for a couple of years. I ordered it on line, but don't remember the site. It is perfect for scooping out the detergent and then it stays in the jar.
This detergent cleans really well and smells divine. I was just tired of paying a fortune for the big name brands and the clothes were not that white and bright like they advertise.
Try it and happy wash day!
Enjoy the weekend and stay cool!
Post edit: Several of you have asked is this safe for HE washers and I have been told in the comments, yes. It really doesn't produce much suds.
As to cost I think I paid a little over $20 for the stuff and it will last me over a year at the rate I am going. Sure beats the cost of Tide that I was using.
Just click on Yvonne's highlighted name above the second picture and learn more.
Thanks
Enjoy the weekend and stay cool!
Post edit: Several of you have asked is this safe for HE washers and I have been told in the comments, yes. It really doesn't produce much suds.
As to cost I think I paid a little over $20 for the stuff and it will last me over a year at the rate I am going. Sure beats the cost of Tide that I was using.
Just click on Yvonne's highlighted name above the second picture and learn more.
Thanks
53 comments:
This sounds so nice. I remember my mom making detergent. It's so pretty too! Thanks for the recipe!
Hum, if it cleans really well I might give it a try. Love your letters. Hugs, Marty
I've made my own, but I use the food processor to chop up all the soap and leave out the scent. Detergent has become so expensive these days that this is a great alternative.
Hello Ms.Southern Belle!
I too did this and yes it is so WONDERFUL!!I did not add those downy balls so I am going to get some and add them into my batch.I hope you have a a great weekend.
Smiles,
Sheila
OK, I'm going to have to give this a try - it looks wonderful! Like the cute container, too.
Linda
I have made it before...as you can imagine, and this are few things that I found helpful. I don't recommend using Fels Naptha. Many believe this is a "natural" product. here for more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fels-Naptha. Something like Ivory soap, or a natural soap bar works too. Borax can be toxic if inhaled. Safer than some things, not as safe as many believe it is. http://www.anvilfire.com/21centbs/material/33850-usborax-borax.pdf. make sure Bailey doesn't sniff it, I am sure you have a lid on. Obviously name brand detergents are not always safe either, and this is still probably a better option in the end. I surely does look pretty in the jar!
Does it work with the new "he" washers?
I bought all the ingredients to make it but was wondering if it's safe for the new h.e. washers? Do you happen to know? Love the jar and the scoops are available at factorydirectcraft.com
What are downy unstopables? I've not seen those. Interesting, but I mostly use liquid detergent and for our clothing, prefer unscented. This would probably be nice for towels though. I wonder if you could cut down the amount of the "recipe"?
tina
Wow. Do you have an idea of how much you spent on ingredients and how many loads of laundry one recipe will cover? This recipe has more ingredients than most I have seen, but I bet it smells much better too. I dont know, I love soap to smell good, not like bleach or nothing at all (even if it cleans well). Based on that, this recipe finally got my attention.
I have also wanted to try this recipe, but just bought a new h.e. washer and don't want to tear it up. Is it safe to use with them? Also, would you throw some in right on top of the laundry or put it in the dispenser? Just curious. Thanks.
Is there a link to original tutorial?
this looks like the recipe i use, and you're right it smells great, cleans great as well!
It does look like cheese!
Click on Yvonne's highlighted name for the tutorial.
Hi Kim,
You are so funny,but it's true, we bloggers like to copy each other. I've been thinking about making some laundry soap too. Nana Diana has a good recipe also.
I think I'll give it a try.
hugs
Sissie
That's pretty neat! I saw a tutorial for this on someone's blog a long time ago and wondered if it was worth the trouble of doing. I'm guessing it is if you like it! Do you think it works better than the detergent you were using? I really did think that was cheese you were grating! Ha!
My daughter and I did it last month and we've enjoyed it! I used a different recipe though and it had no smell.
So glad to see others making their own detergent. I make my own too and it is simpler and works better than ones I bought...one grated bar of fels naptha, one cup of borax, and one cup of washing soda...that's it. Nothing else, and it works and I love the clean smell. My housemate uses it too now and it cleans his clothes and he works in a restaurant all day. I will use oxy powders alone if I need super stain removing from gardening stains, without detergent, and this does a great job too. I encourage everyone to try the recipes of their preference! :D Lady
I bet your clothes smell wonderful! Thanks for passing along the tutorial.
It's always fun to try something new! It looks like your project was successful! My last project FAILED, so I won't post about it :)
Hi Kim - I nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. I find inspiration every day on your site. You were the first blog to feature mine back when I started and for that I cannot thank you enough! All the best! Amanda
http://dixiedelights.blogspot.com/2012/07/blush.html
After using the DIY liquid detergent for a few years, my daughter/blog partner made the dry mixture this week (and blogged about it). She is loving it, so, now I want to try it, too. I agree. Tide and friends are way to $$$$$$.
I make my own too and love it. Happy washing:)
This is HIGH on my list to do. I may try this this weekend. I have to journey to Walmart (yes, its a journey because it takes half a day - or at least it feels that way) and get all the supplies. I agree, I am so tired of paying a ortune to wash clothes. Have a great weekend.
I've been making my own, too, and love it. I buy the pink ZOTE soap (or Ivory) instead of the Fels Naptha though. I gave it away all dressed up in containers to my girls for Mother's Day. You should have most of yours used up by about 2015! lol Have a great night- xo Diana
Kim, what are the Downy balls for and where in the world do you find them?????????????????
You've just made what could be a tedious chore into something fun with the addition of that adorable jar. I think this one's going on the bucket list. Thanks, Kim!
I heard it's not good to use with energy efficient washers? True or False?!
It sounds great. I would like to try it but I have one of those machines that require HE type detergent.
I'm a new Fels-Naptha fan, so I love that it's used in this concoction. I'd be interested in knowing what the cost per load is compared to name brand detergents.
I'm interested in about what it cost to make it. Do you have a HE washer? Will it work in one?
You are soooooo industrious! And it LOOKS beautiful. Always full of great ideas here, Kim.
I saw this tutorial but did not think it would work in a front loader/HE detergent required washer....does it?....Heck, I would make it just because it looks pretty on the counter!!!...Love what you did with the label...!!
Have a great weekend Kim...!
I have purchased homemade laundry detergent through my local food coop and love it. MIT is very low suds so tell your readers it is very good to use in HE front loaders. I only use a tablespoon. I will make my own once I run out. It cleans really well. I use plain white vinegar in the softener dispenser which removes residual soap in the clothes and also softens them. Great for my towels since you shouldn't use fabric softener on them.
I have been making my own detergent for some time now with the pink soap. It last forever and does a terrific job. Saves lots of money.
Good for you Kim!~ that looks pretty awesome. I don't think your crazy, just creative:)
Nice to learn about the white vinegar tip.
thanks
The Downy Stopables are an interesting addition.
http://cornersofmylife.blogspot.com/2009/03/laundry-soap.html
I wondered why your cheese had a logo on it and what size enchiladas you were making.
My daughter in law has been making her own detergent for a year now, loves it. At least Mr. Savvy didn't dip his hand in and ask as he sampled the cheese.
~Bliss~
Can't wait to try this!
Hilarious exchange between you and the Mr. I've been making my own detergent for two years now and love it. I use the same recipe minus the Downy.It's a great money saver and gets the clothes really fresh and clean. Love your packaging and scoop.
Awesome- and it looks so cute as well!! I have an HE washer- and I use the liquid detergent... but might have to try this! :)
Isn't it funny how things you never thought of pre-blogging are now totally normal? I even find myself saying things like, "my friend so-and-so says..." and then my husband always wants to clarify whether it is a "real" friend or a blog friend:)
I have been making a similar recipe for 6 months or so. I love it. I do not use the Downy, as I prefer unscented soaps. I use the Oyxclean as a separate additive when I do whites or expecially dirty loads. My clothes actually feel softer than they did using store bought liquid soaps. I use no fabric softeners, but I think because I have a water softener, I don't need it.
I have seen recipes for a similar soap that works in HE washers. You mix in water and cook it on the stove to make it into a liquid detergent.
Before I had a water softener, and I did feel the need for dryer sheets, I came up with an alternative. I kept a big plastic coffee mug on the back of the laundry tub. In it I mixed 50/50 water and liquid fabric softener. I then soaked a couple of sponges in the liquid. When I started a load in the dryer, I wrung out one of the sponges, holding it over the mug, over the sink because it is a little messy. I added the damp sponge to the dryer instead of a disposable dryer sheets. The sponges lasted well over a year and a bottle of fabric softener lasted forever.
I am very interested in any more cheaper, environmentally friendly tips you have to offer.
Thank,
Rebecca
Just love a fellow blogger sharing another fellow blogger's tutorial and showing how truly awesom it can turn out.
Well done, and love the jar you are using.
May try it too.
Cheese, heh.
I have been thinking about making my own since seeing Yvonne's tutorial.
Now that you have made it, and love it too, I am going to give it a try.
Love your jar with those CUTE letters!
Have a great weekend, Kim!
xo-Lisa
Shut.
Up.
Might have to try.....
That conversation with the husband was really funny - it DID look like cheese!
Stacy
I am so glad you like the laundry detg. I love it too! When it is washing away in my laundry room I can smell it in the kitchen. So fresh!
Thanks so much for the shout-out!
You know this post made me laugh because my hubby and I had a similar conversation back when I was making laundry soap to post on my site. He thought I was grating cheese...lol!
Definitely going to try this! Thanks Kim and Yvonne ~ Sarah
I was making this awhile back too. My husband and I had the same kind of conversation.. LOL.
Though, I came across a deal for liquid detergent at the store awhile back with coupons and took the opportunity to stock up.
I know eventually I will go back to this.. the baking soda helped keep my whites white with hard water..
I love this idea as Fels Naptha, Oxi Clean, Baking Soda and Borax are all soaps that wash out of your clothing. A detergent, however is a stronger chemical that coats your clothing and doesn't wash out. So, for that reason if I made this, I would ditch the Downey product (because that is the type of product/chemical you are trying to avoid in making your own laundry soap). If you want some scent in your laundry, you can put 10-20 drops of essential oil directly into your wash load. BUT, it's never going to be as strong a smell as Tide, Cheer, Downey, etc because they are strong, harsh chemicals that coat your clothing reducing their absorbency and fire resistance. I have been using the Smart Klean Laundry Ball and I have grown to enjoy laundry that doesn't smell like harsh chemicals.
Post a Comment
Thanks so much for stopping by. I do appreciate all your lovely comments...Kim