With inflation rising steadily, we are all looking for ways to cut costs. An average bottle of laundry detergent can cost .20 cents per load. Here’s a recipe for making your own laundry detergent that costs less than half that amount. At around .06 cents per load, you can save over $100 a year!

• 3 bars of Fels Naptha soap
• One 36 oz. box of Borax detergent
• One 3lb box of Arm & Hammer Laundry Booster Super Washing Soda
• 2 cups of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda
• 1 of the 3 lb tubs of Oxi Clean
• Scent Beads (any scent – optional)

If you don’t like these brands for any reason, here are other options:

• FOCA detergent (instead of Borax and Arm & Hammer)
• Castille or Zote Soap (instead of Fels Naptha)

Directions: Grate or chop in food processor all bars of Fels Naptha soap. Add box of Borax and box of Super Washing Soda, 2 cups of baking soda, 3 lbs of Oxi Clean and optional scent beads into a large container or clean plastic trash bag and mix all ingredients together well. Use 1 tablespoon per small load or 2 tablespoons per large load.

NOTE: I have heard that the Fels Naphta may not disintegrate unless finely chopped in a food processor or melted by using hot water in your washing machine while washing clothes.

Want some Free Printable Laundry Labels to put on your jar of detergent you’re making? Get 12 Free Printable Labels here

Q&A

Is this safe to use in HE washers?

Check your owners manual but yes, it is safe to use in mine and should be safe for most if not all HE washers due to the low suds quality of the detergent. If you want to be safe, fill up washer first and add to water

Does it get your clothes clean?

YES! It gets out grass, mustard, ketchup, mud stains, etc and works really well

What about sensitive skin?

As always, test first if you have sensitive skin and research ingredients but we have a person with eczema in our household and have no issues.