I have started making my own laundry detergent...well this is my first time and I am trying to find out if there are alternatives from grating Fels Naptha. (By the way I made the powdered kind). I am wondering what effect the Fels Naptha has since the amount called for seems so minimal. I believe the one I made was 1 box of super washing soda 1 box Borax 1 box Baking Soda and 2 tubs of Oxy Clean and 2 or 3 bars Fels Naptha. Now I am wondering is I can just buy a cheap laundry detergent (Foca) or mix in Gain or a store brand cheap detergent. Has anyone tried this? Thoughts please. :)
Is it cheap to make your own yes! With some deals I made my batch for around 6$ and only use 1-2 tbsp per load. And it works just as good as regular detergent. My only question is was it worth the effort in grating the bars of Fels Naptha? That may be my only issue. It is supposed to be grated fine and manually that takes a long LONG time. I burned through our coffee grindertrying to speed it up :/ (I tried our food processor but it doesnt make the pieces fine at all!) I also switched from Downy to White Vinegar and my whites are definately whiter. I was a bit worried that the clothes would smell vinegary but they really dont AT ALL but then again I have NOT stopped using my downy scent balls or sometimes I use Purex Granules for scent as I like for my clothes to smell good. Mentally it makes me feel like the clothes are cleaner lol. BTW I do use my home made detergent in my HE washing machine.
I just made my first batch of this No-Grate Homemade Laundry soap and so far I like it. :)
http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/02/no-grate-home...
If you buy a 'cheap' detergent and use it instead of the Fels Naptha- you are going to get cheap quality and it won't work as well. Even the not so cheap detergents at the store have empty fillers in them that do nothing more then fill the box or bottle so the consumer feels they are getting a great value by having a larger container. Don't believe me? Take a scoop of Tide powder, and place it with a piece of cloth in a qt. jar. You can shake that baby up for YEARS, and there will always be a layer of powder at the bottom that never goes away. This ends up in our ecosystem. BTW: The cloth will completely disappear after a few years. Yep- this detergent actually eats our clothes. What is it doing to our skin, insides as it gets absorbed, and our clothing budget as we have to replace clothes 'worn out' by washing? I'm sure you are aware of most of this, since you are making your own, but this was one of the most interesting things I have learned since having a family! :)
Hi emily-
I cannot help with respect to the powdered laundry detergent...I make liquid...and have been doing so for about two years...
The liquid takes fels naptha...grated...and 'metled' on the stove...then some borax...and WASHING soda...
We mix it in a 5 gallon bucket...and use a 'paint mixing/paddle attachment on the drill...
I LOVE it!
Best Luck!
michele/cat
I use Kirks Coco Castille bar soap. They have it in the bath soap section at Publix.
I've wondered, how cheap is it actually to make your own? There is some dirt cheap detergent on the shelves. Is it really that much cheaper to make your own?
I have to add another question here, maybe I should also put it in a different post, but does anyone making their own laundry soap use an HE washer? Do you know if it is OK to use it in an HE washer? I really want to try making my own laundry soap but I don't want to break my washing machine! That would defeat the purpose (saving $) wouldn't it?
I've never made my own, but want to. I was thinking though, if you have to shred the soap, why not use a salad shooter? Also was the above your "recipe" for it? I would love one especially with vinegar in it. If you have a chance could you e-mail me? Thanks.
