How to Spend $28 A Year on Laundry Detergent

I bet you think it would be impossible to spend only $28 a year for laundry detergent and that doesn't include using coupons to cut down the entire cost. I definitely use coupons whenever I can in general, however, I don't have a coupon for laundry detergent right now and my current laundry detergent stock is running out. This gave me the perfect opportunity to try to own homemade laundry detergent and spend as little as possible. 

I found this recipe and the total cost buying all the ingredients at Walmart is $28. I read this laundry detergent recipe will last a year, if you wash six loads a week and use only 2 tablespoons of detergent a load because that is all it takes. I guess you will have to come back in a year from this post to see if my detergent lasted a whole year, right?
This is the cost break down:
Zote bar soap (14.1oz) - 97 cents
Oxi-clean (3 lb) - $7.52
Purex Crystals (large bottle) - $8.96
Arm & Hammer baking soda (4 lb) - $2.66
Arm & Hammer super washing soda (3 lb 7 oz) - $3.24
Borax (4 lb 12 oz) - $3.38
*instead of Zote soap, you can use Fels Naptha soap, you will need two small bars
You also need a box grater, a large container and a spoon or mixing utensil. 

To make the soap, pour the Boraz, both baking sodas, the Oxi-Clean and crystals into the large container. 


I poured all the powders into a trash bag, which seemed like a great idea at the beginning and then while mixing all the ingredients together, the bag started ripping at the bottom, not good!

In another container, grate the soap and be prepared to give your arm a work-out. Once the soap is grated, pour it into the the large container with the other soap ingredients.


 Then stir, mix, and stir again. Once the laundry soap is "made", keep it in the large container if there is a lid or pour the soap into containers that have lids. 

Like I said earlier, you only need 2 tablespoons of this soap per load and that lid that came on the Purex crystals have three lines on it, the middle line is about 2 tablespoons.

I  filled up the Oxi-Clean container and bought a 16 quart container so this recipe makes lots of laundry detergent, be warned if you don't have a large enough container!
That is it, lots of laundry detergent and not a lot of money! 
Has anyone else made homemade laundry detergent and had good success with it lasting a long time and making it on the cheap side?
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30 comments:

SMD @ lifeaccordingtosteph said...

Have you used it? Do you like it?

Hilary said...

Do you have an HE washer? I make a liquid detergent with borax, washing soda, dish detergent and boiling water. I like that you can make one jug at a time, but my husband complains that it doesn't smell as strong as the good stuff. I've added some of those washing beads and that helps a little bit. You'll have to let us know how you like it!

Unknown said...

WOW this is awesome! Steve and I are getting married a year from this summer and once we do our top priority is paying off his student loans ASAP. I'm going to need a lot of DIY ways to keep us on a budget! Pinning this post right now!

<3becky
www.loosefromthezoo.com

Richelle Lynn Garn said...

OH. MY. GOODNESS! I can't WAIT to do this! I really love this idea! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

whit | Black Little Button blog said...

this is awesome! We are stocked up on laundry detergent for now, but I will have to try this once I'm done with them!
-wHiT

Life With Lauren said...

That is great! My sister does that but I still have not broken down and done it I need to though!

Jen said...

I had the same question Steph did, Can you use this with HE front loader washers? Secondly, does it make your clothes smell good or more neutral?

Melissa said...

Impressive! I have only seen ones with 2 ingredients and didn't bother to try them. This is the real deal! I'll have to try this!

Regina of Live Delightfully said...

I made this exact detergent last year and started using it in November. I'm waiting to see if it really lasts a year. If it doesn't, it's not really cheaper than buying 3 bottles of Tide a year. But so far it's met the other needs I had: smells great, family isn't allergic to it, and cleans clothes. I had read the warnings about how much it makes, so I had to buy a large container to store it in. But I love how it makes the closet in my garage smell super amazing!! :)

Discovery Street said...

I've been meaning to do this....do u like how it cleans?

Lauren said...

this is amazing! i'm tempted to try this as my supply is dwindling, but I'm not sure if I have near enough room to store it! Until I have a bigger storage area I may need to stick with my Tide bottles!

Lauran {The Real Young Housewife of Southern VA} said...

I may need to give this whirl!!!!! Can you update us after you've washed some loads and tell us how they look, feel, smell etc?! I'd love to hear a review on that!!

chantal marie said...

what an awesome idea! i am sure people with children will be especially fond of this! id love to hear a follow up post on how well you think it works, smells, etc. is it harsh on clothes, you know the overall review! let us know how it works :)

Kathrin@shopschoolsleep said...

holy cow!! i live in an apartment with a separate laundry room so this would be impractical to carry around...but when I get a house this will be awesome!!

Stephanie said...

Umm, this is AMAZING!

Sarah said...

Seriously you rock. This is so awesome. I should really start doing this. Especially since we are night time potty training Samantha. I'm determined not to put her in diapers at night which has resulted in me washing her sheets every morning. Kinda getting expensive.

Meg Brink said...

I would love to hear your take on using it for a week or two. This is something I've been interested in doing but I am a BIG detergent overuser because I want to make sure my clothes smell really good. I think I would be tempted to use way more than 2 tablespoons!

Unknown said...

Fabulous idea! I so need to be more of a DIY! This is encouraging me! Thanks:)

Simply LKJ said...

You go girl! Ashli (mini manor) makes her own as well!!

Katy said...

Have you used this yet? I'm curious if your clothes are as soft as with a traditional detergent. I'm a huge snob when it comes to laundry detergent because I have such texture issues around how my clothes feel. I'd love to try this, but am hesitant to make such a large amount without knowing how it actually works.

Jane said...

Wow. This is kinda amazing!

Laura Darling said...

This is brilliant! I am going to try it for sure!

Anonymous said...

I found this recipe awhile ago and pretty much stalled because I still need to research zote and borax since I'm not completely clear on what they are and if I need an alternative. Basically, what I'd like to do is mimic mrs. meyers!!

Unknown said...

I think I've seen this recipe before but I totally forgot about it! Thank you so much for sharing! This is good stuff! :)

xo
Rachel

Melissa Jo said...

This "recipe" looks soooo much easier than one I had tried that was a liquid detergent. Just may have to try it out!

Sarah Alway said...

No way, this is awesome! I was just price comparing laundry detergents last night at Costco thinking how expensive it is... this is genius! Who knew??

Leah said...

whoa what? this is a great idea. oh my gosh i go through two or three 32 oz gallons per month. sometimes four. i'm sure this recipe would not last my family of five a whole year but close to it and that's way beating how much i spend now!

Kristin said...

I want to do this!!

Courtney said...

A friend was just telling me how to make this yesterday, ha! Great minds:)

Mellissa "Shia" Rondinelli said...

Thanks for sharing! Can you use it in he machines?

Shia
World According to Shia