Laundry Detergent

“I don’t notice a difference between store bought and homemade.”  That is the main comment I usually receive when I ask people what they think of this recipe and that is the point.  The only difference you should notice is the price!  I have been using this detergent for over a year now and still love it!

The price of regular detergent can range from 80 loads for 5 bucks to 102 loads for 18 dollars.  You can make this batch for around 17 dollars and get over 500 loads at a tbsp a load. When calculating the cost, ask yourself this, do you fill the laundry cap perfectly to the medium load line?   Or are you like most of us and fill it higher?  If you are, then the savings are going to be more since manufacturers usually calculate total loads by medium loads. 

If you’re not convinced to try this soap yet, think about this.  For around 30 minutes of work, I just saved myself around 70 dollars this year since I do around 10 loads per week.  Where else can you get 70 bucks for 30 minutes of work!  Plus, since I only make it around once a year, it’s one less thing I have to remember on my grocery list.

Homemade Laundry Soap:

-   1-4 lb 12 oz box Borax (2.15 kg or 76 oz)

-   1-4 lb box Arm & Hammer Baking Soda (1.81 kg)

-   1 - box Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda 55 oz (3 lb 7 oz)

-   3 Bars of Fels-Naptha Soap

-   1 small container of Oxy Clean or store brand Oxy Clean (try to get about 3.5 lbs total or 1.58 kg)

I found all of these ingredients in the laundry soap isle in Walmart by the Oxiclean and bleach.

Step 1: Use a hand cheese grater or a food processor to grate the Soap.  I use a  hand grater to grate my soap.

(Optional Step: I do this just because I have an HE washer.  After grating the soap, I add in Washing Soda in food processor and process all of it until smooth.)

Step 2: Mix it with everything!

Step 3: Use 1 -2 tbsp per load.  I use 1 tbsp per load in my HE washer.  I know someone that has a regular wash machine and uses 1 tbsp and it works great.

Also, when I calculated this, it made around 32 cups, which is around 2 gallons so make sure you have a big container or a couple of plastic ice cream containers to put this in.

I didn’t come up with this recipe on my own! I got it from the below website.  For more details on how to make the detergent, commonly asked questions, and images with step by step instructions, please select on the link below.

http://beingcreativetokeepmysanity.blogspot.com/2010/11/homemade-laundry-soap.html

 

As Always,

The Stingy Sister

A Stingy Beginning

Everyone wants to save money, just like everyone wants to lose weight. The difference between those who cut costs and those who don’t is a little hard work. This is where I come in.  Not only do I want to save money but I do it every day. I am not an extreme couponer or someone that will ever make millions from what I do. I am simply someone who makes my money work for me every day.

 I have a choice, I can spend 18 dollars on a box of powdered laundry detergent that only does 102 loads or I can make it myself and get 544 loads for 17 bucks.  I make the decision on how much I am going to spend on something every day.  You have the exact same choice. 

 Let’s start with the obvious questions first. J

 

Why are you doing a blog?  This is my New Year’s Commitment (Not a resolution as instructed by my sister!).  Many people have asked how I save money.  I think it would be fun to share how I save money and allow people to post any ideas they can add.

 

A little bit about me – I am happily married Mom of 2 girls.  Before my kids, I went out to eat a couple times a week, spent whatever I felt like.   After having kids, between daycare and formula, expenses were higher and we weren’t making any more money.  I work a full-time job so taking on another job or any extra work was out of the question for me with having 2 girls.  I do not want to take away from the time I have with my kids.  So I started looking at ways to save with what I have.  How could I make my money stretch further?

 

What are you going to blog about?  From laundry detergent to the grocery list to cloth diapering and even why I do not make some of my own cleaning supplies, I am going to post about areas I have become stingy in. I am not just stingy with my money; I am also stingy with my time.  I like quick efficient recipes that I can freeze and come home and pop in the oven.

 

See Everyone Next Time

The Stingy Sister