Homemade Laundry Detergent!

After being inspired by the fabulous Jen Maurer of Serwa Chic and several weeks of researching and pondering, I decided to attempt to make my own laundry detergent.  I have seen several recipes for it and have read about what to use and what NOT to use on cloth diapers.  Here is the message board thread I used for my final concoction.

I was able to locate all of the ingredients at our local Kroger store.  Not a big town and I was a little surprised to find the washing soda there.

I made two different kinds - one for regular laundry and one for cloth diapers.

Here is the recipe for Regular Laundry Detergent (makes a powder detergent):

• 1 bar of soap (I used Ivory, you can use whatever you like.  Some people use Fels Napha but it's pretty harsh.  You can also use really natural soaps but I'm a cheapskate.)
  
• 1 cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda (you can find it in the laundry supplies section)
  
• 1 cup 20 Mule Team Borax (also in the laundry supplies section)
  

1. Slice the bar of soap into strips.

2.  Place the strips of soap into your food processor and grind until the soap is formed into little soap balls (it looks super cool).

 

3.  Add the washing soda and Borax to the soap beads.

Exciting picture, huh?

4.  Mix it all up and it's ready to use!

Use 1-2 Tbsp. for a small load and 3-4 Tbsp. for a large load.  You will probably have best results if you dissolve it in hot water before using it with a warm or cold wash.

For the Diaper Detergent, here are the ingredients:

• 1 cup Arm & Hammer washing soda
• 1 cup 20 Mule Team Borax
• 1 cup OxiClean Free

Mix all ingredients for use.  Use 2 Tbsp. for small loads and 1/4 cup for large loads.

So far, I've done 3 loads with great results.  I haven't washed the diapers using this detergent yet, but I will be tomorrow.