Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. For more info please see my disclosure policy.
Several months ago I shared with you a homemade liquid laundry detergent recipe that I had been using for some time and seen good results. However, recently I ran across this recipe for a dry laundry detergent recipe on Pinterest that many swore to be the next best thing since sliced bread. Given so many positive reviews I decided to try it. Here’s my results.
The Recipe:
1 box Borax
1 4 lb. box Baking Soda
1 box Washing Soda
3 bars Fels-Naptha Soap
5 1/2 cups Oxyclean (Any brand will do. This is about 2 small containers or 1/2 of a large container or 3 to 3 1/2 lbs.)
1. As with the liquid laundry detergent recipe, you begin by shredding the Fels-Naptha bars. From reading several reviews online and concerns over shredded soap pieces and high efficiency machines, I decided to make this a two-step process.
I began by grating the bars in my food processor.
I then switched to use the regular food processor blade to grind the soap into a fine powder.
2. Next I combined all the ingredients in a 5 gallon bucket. This did take a little muscle strength but it was definitely doable. That said, Maybe next time I’ll ask my hubby to bring out his paint mixer again. 😉
3. All that was left to do was to place the soap in a storage container and label it for use. You use only 1 tablespoon per load.
I bought this 32 cup storage dispenser from Walmart for approximately $6.
It held the laundry soap perfectly and has a spout at the top for pouring.
I then created a label for it using Word, printed it off on copy paper and taped it with clear packing tape (sorry, no Cricket here). I then set it on my laundry shelf with a tablespoon and that was it. It took me a total of about 15 minutes to make.
Let’s Compare:
1. The dry laundry detergent requires NO cooking and NO wait time like the liquid laundry detergent recipe with is really nice.
2. The dry laundry detergent uses full boxes instead of a 1/2 cup at a time so you don’t have to store unused products for later use.
3. This recipe makes enough detergent for approximately 448 loads so you may have to only make it once a year. The liquid laundry detergent only makes about 64 loads per recipe so you would have to make it more frequently.
4. The cost of this recipe is slightly more expensive than the liquid laundry detergentat approximately 3 cents per load compared to the less than 1 cent per load with the liquid laundry detergent. However, when compared to the cheapest store brand detergent at 10 cents per load and the most popular name brands costing closer to 20 cents per load, I still consider this quite a bargain.
5. The liquid laundry detergent would eventually gel up and you would have to occasionally re-stir the batch. With the dry laundry detergent you never have to worry about it getting too solid to use.
6. The dry laundry detergent appears to clean clothes better than the liquid laundry detergent. Thanks to the addition of the baking soda and Oxyclean, even my most challenging stains (namely Teacup’s blowouts) are almost eliminated without the extra help of a stain removal. I probably will still use a stain removal such as Shout to get it even cleaner but this detergent definitely helps.
Other questions and conclusions:
Do I have a high efficiency washer?
Yes.
Why do I think baking soda is included in this recipe in addition to washing soda?
While I can’t vouch for everything, this article on how to use baking soda in the laundry definitely helped me understand this one. Basically, baking soda is a good deodorizer, fabric softener, and neutralizer. It also helps control suds in our high efficiency washers.
Will I use this recipe again?
Definitely.
**UPDATE 11/18/2013**
I recently completed an experiment comparing homemade laundry detergents with commercial. The results were astonishing such that I changed my laundry detergent yet again. Read all about it in my Commercial vs. Homemade Test to see why.
Do you use a homemade cleaning product that you swear is the next best thing since sliced bread? If so, please share your recipe. I’m always looking for more natural and cheaper cleaning resources that WORK, and I’m sure others would love to try them out too.
Create in me acleanheart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
1K Shares
