I have a frugal friend named Pam. I value her opinion lots and so when she mentioned she was trying a powdered homemade laundry detergent, I paid attention. See, Pam had been using my liquid laundry detergent recipe for a few months and she loves it. Other frugal friends over the years have mentioned a powdered detergent, but you know how you are when you find something you like, right? At less than a penny a load and with quality results, why bother with something new?
Well, I'm sure glad I perked up when Pam talked about her powdered laundry detergent.
I did the math and found that I'm still at less than a penny per load with this method. The cleaning quality is the same. What I like most is that it's even easier than making the liquid detergent and that was pretty darn easy to make.
Peace, B.
PS
The picture above does not include the Dollar Tree brand Oxyclean or the washing soda you make yourself.
Well, I'm sure glad I perked up when Pam talked about her powdered laundry detergent.
I did the math and found that I'm still at less than a penny per load with this method. The cleaning quality is the same. What I like most is that it's even easier than making the liquid detergent and that was pretty darn easy to make.
Peace, B.
PS
The picture above does not include the Dollar Tree brand Oxyclean or the washing soda you make yourself.
You'll need the following ingredients to make one batch of detergent:
one grated bar of soap*
one cup Borax
one container of Dollar Tree brand Oxyclean
two containers of baking soda
Yeah, that's about it.
*I had Coast on hand in abundance because I scored lots for free once with coupons and sales ad match ups. You can use whatever you like.
one cup Borax
one container of Dollar Tree brand Oxyclean
two containers of baking soda
Yeah, that's about it.
*I had Coast on hand in abundance because I scored lots for free once with coupons and sales ad match ups. You can use whatever you like.
How to grate bar soap like a boss
So, Pam is not only frugal, she's fabulous. This part right here is what really caught my attention when she was talking about making powdered laundry detergent. I grate bar soap for different things and Pam suggested I microwave the bar before I grate it. "Try it," she said. "You'll love it, " she said.
Turns out bar soap fluffs like a marshmallow in the microwave. Unless, of course, if you use Coast. Coast has this protective layer of something around its bar soap so my microwaved bar (after microwaving for 3 minutes total) looked like this:
Turns out bar soap fluffs like a marshmallow in the microwave. Unless, of course, if you use Coast. Coast has this protective layer of something around its bar soap so my microwaved bar (after microwaving for 3 minutes total) looked like this:
 Before |  After |
I think I will name him George.
 |  |
Although I loved George, I went on ahead
and grated him down to a plateful of fabulousness.
and grated him down to a plateful of fabulousness.
How to make washing soda like a boss
When I learned that I could make washing soda from plain old baking soda, I felt like a freakin' alchemist. It's seriously easy, and you can learn how to do it here.
After you've completed those two simple, yet scientifically impressive steps (like a boss), all you have left to do is mix together the Borax, Oxy Clean, washing soda, baking soda, and grated soap. Seriously. It's that easy.
Be sure to store in an airtight container and use only one tablespoon per load. You read that right- one tablespoon. I haven't finished using this batch, but I estimate I will get around 50 loads out of this one batch. I know, right!
