I've made the powdered forms of laundry soap and I like them except for the grating, powder flying while blenderizing and getting in my lungs, as well as having to wait for the powder to dissolve in the wash water. I've made the liquid and I like those except for the separating issues and the large quantity needed for storage.
My sister recently gave me a recipe for a no grate, no clump, really easy and quickly made and unbelievably cheap laundry detergent that I really love! It only requires only 2 Tbsp. Dawn, 1/3 cup washing soda, 1/4 cup borax and hot water for a gallon of laundry soap.
I have gone through a batch and it works. You still need to pretreat, but I have really been amazed by this DIY product. Men's greasy overalls may need some of your other heaviest duty detergent. But I am comfortable using this for 98% of my washes and the results are very good. If something is really filthy, I use baking soda and vinegar along with my detergent.
It probably is less than $.25 a gallon, but I am not going to do the math! ;)
Hope this blesses you as much as it has blessed me!
P.S. I have a top loader and I don't know if it works for front loaders. I would suggest you make a 1/2 batch and try it out.
Source: Beverly at The Make Your Own Zone Site, she has great recipes and tips: http://www.themakeyourownzone.com/2013/10/homemade-laundry-soap-made-dawn.html
ThriftyFun is one of the longest running frugal living communities on the Internet. These are archives of older discussions.
I use my leftover soap to make homemade laundry soap.
I am looking for recipes to make liquid laundry detergent that has a bleaching effect.
How do you make liquid detergent for cotton and wool fabrics?
