RECIPE: HOMEADE LAUNDRY DETERGENT

A few months ago, I was thinking of ways to cut little costs around my home.  One of those things that came to mind was laundry detergent.  I was running through bottles of Tide and never really thinking that my clothes were getting clean.

You know that damp, musty, kinda sorta BO smell that clothes can get if you leave them in the washer too long or they are just that old??  I never, ever thought that my detergent was truly getting that stench out.

So, a little Pinterest search and a little messing around on my own, wa-la I have my own homemade laundry detergent.  Saving those pennies on things that I really want, instead of need.

This stuff is pretty fantastic too!  That said stench above, not a problem.  My clothes come out fresh and cleany, clean.  Plus, I don't have to add in Oxiclean or Downy Unstoppables because it's in each scoopful!  Also, this stuff is so, so easy to make.  Think I got this batch done in about 20 minutes.

Ingredients:
55 oz box of Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda
4lb box Arm and Hammer Baking Soda
76 oz box of Borax
2 Zote Bars (it's pink)
3 lbs. OxiClean
13 oz Downy Unstoppables (any scent)

Also needed, for first time only:
5 gallon bucket with lid
air tight container for storing a good portion of detergent in (you don't want to be digging in the 5 gallon bucket with each load of laundry)
2 T scoop (I use a 1/4 C measuring cup and fill it about 1/2 or 3/4 full each load)
Blender

Combine Borax, Washing Soda, Baking Soda in a 5 gallon bucket or really large bowl.  I actually mixed mine in the bucket and then dumped it into a bowl.

Cut each Zote bar in half, long ways.  Each half, then cut into 4ths, making each bar into 8 pieces.

Take one piece of Zote and cupful of mixed ingredients and blend until powder is light pink or Zote bar is mixed in really well with the powder.
 

After blending, dump into 5 gallon bucket.  Add in Downy Unstoppables and mix.  Store in 5 gallon bucket.

All in all, I probably spent around $35 dollars for all the products that will last my family months.  This recipe easily gets you about 250-300 loads of laundry.  If you love math, like I, that's about 12 to 14 cents per load.

Enjoy!

P.S.  I have an HE washer and it works great!