21 Comments

  1. This is very new to me, I never thought about making my own detergent. When I first read the title, I was worried about the smell, but you made it sound fine. I think I’ll try it sometime, thanks for sharing 🙂

    • It really was so simple! And I always feel like a bit of a wizard when I am DIY-ing something that most people don’t do. Go feel like a wizard and make your own detergent 🙂

    • That’s unfortunate Debs, even our workout clothes come out smelling fresh. Like I said, we haven’t tried washing heavily soiled clothes yet, but those don’t get too clean with store bought detergent either.

  2. I work in a resort and one of the perks is free dishwasher and detergent. It’s also time saving because there is 3 machines we can run simultaneously!

    You are right when you say that it is better for our health, I had a friend who was allergic to most commercial detergent. The term “fragrance” hides tens of thousands of unregulated chemicals. Since it’s a “trade secret” you and I will never know what’s in there.

    I am glad I found your website and looking forward to your next post. 🙂

    • you’re right about the fragrance Renaud, and way to go on the free dishwasher and detergent. That’s probably saving you a lot of money.

  3. Hah I thought you had mentioned you were making this for awhile, glad to see a post on it! I haven’t tried the dry stuff yet and not sure if I will. My experiment with the liquid detergent is going great and will save me money over the long haul. Glad it is saving you money as well!

    Also, thank you for the shout-out on my article for the liquid soap!

    • I also tried the liquid kind and liked the results, but we now live in a place where our laundry room is about 50 yards away so we would have to use a second container to carry our detergent. I figured the powder would be easier to carry.

      You’re welcome about the shout-out, your post is valuable.

  4. I really do need to try this. I use washing tablets every month and they set me back around £8. Way too much!! My only worry is how this would be for people with sensitive skin? Is it ok for kids? I’m guessing so because the idea is that it’s healthier too as well as cheap…

    Any ideas for homemade fabric softener?

    • I can’t really say about sensitive skin or kids because I don’t have either, but from my research on the matter it seems like it’s okay to use since it doesn’t use harmful chemicals.

      I don’t know about fabric softener, but I can check in the library, I mean Google.

      • Paulealex

        White vinegar!! Best and cheapest fabric softener. I’ve been using it for 3 years now and haven’t looked back! Yes your clothes smells a tad like vinegar when they are wet out of the washer but once dry, they just smell fresh.

    • Hi Hayley,

      I can say it is fine for sensitive skin. The dry detergent uses basically the same ingredients as the liquid soap does. Only thing I would suggest it maybe a different bar of soap. When I was buying soap I passed on the Fels-Naptha because it said it could irritate skin and I choose a bar of soap that was more natural. Previously I have only been able to use Tide or All brands there were free and clear. Other “free and clear” brands would still irritate my skin.

  5. This is awesome.. Your dedication to frugality is very impressive!

    I have also heard that there are irritants in many commercial detergents, and it would be great to go the natural way..

  6. I’ve never seriously considered making my own laundry detergent, but you make a good case for at least giving it a shot!

    • Yes, those pods can get expensive. I also read that they are a big hazards to toddlers because they mistake them for candy and eat them. They shouldn’t be within reach of children, but that’s another discussion.

  7. This is something I’ve toyed with but at the end of the day just haven’t also…fun fact you can’t buy the washing soda in Canada, at least no where I’ve ever looked (not 100% confirmed)

  8. Maddie

    I have got to try this! If it works, I am sure that it will save me money. I can’t wait to test it out and give it a go. Thanks for sharing!

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