DIY Cheaper & Better Laundry Detergent

So, I am trying my hand at yet another thing that's been on my list for ages; DIY Laundry Detergent. I admit I've been scared to try, not quite sure why. So, I've been putting it off not really giving myself any good excuses and finally decided since my detergent is about up it's time to give it a whirl.

I did my very best research on my dearest research friend Pinterest and came up with a general idea, found a recipe I liked {it had rave reviews}, and all of the items thankfully were found at my local Wal-Mart store. I didn't find this out until I went researching on the web for best prices, even with coupons etc Wal-Mart was still the least expensive. I did manage to find a coupon on one of the products, Baking Soda, which helped.

The Recipe I followed you can find here at HowDoesShe? 's blog! It was super simple, totally accomplishable for anyone. If I can do it so can you!

Ingredients:

• 1 (4 lb 12 oz) Box of Borax $3.97
• 1 (3 lb 7 oz) Box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda $3.24
• 1 (3 lb) Container of OxyClean $7.52
• 2 (14.1 oz) Bars of Zote Soap Or Fels Naptha $.97/ea
• 1 (4 lb) Box of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda $2.24
• 1-2 (55 oz) Bottle of Purex Crystals Fabric Softener $8.96/ea

All of these are found in my local Wal-Mart's detergent aisle {You can also order almost all of them online site to store, etc as well}, or you can purchase them on amazon.com if you take advantage of their Prime Pantry. 

The Tools I Used: 

• 1 (5 Gal.) Bucket & Lid from Home Depot $2.85+$1.45 = $4.30
• 1 Large Household Spoon
• 1 Funnel 
• Food Processor Or Cheese Grader {Highly recommend the food processor, or follow her directions for mushing the soap after microwaving}
• Medium Size Mixing Bowl 
• Butter Knife

Total Cost for this DIY Adventure: 

$41.13 + tax / 326.20 oz. = $.13/oz 

Also, this detergent only requires 2 tablespoons per load which is 1 oz/load or 326 loads of laundry! I can't wait to see how long this is going to last me!!

Now, for the instructions on how I did it in less than 20 minutes; Super simple!

First, here's my ingredients, minus 1 bar of soap. Who knew that package was only one!!?? Well, I should've if I had read the 14.1 oz on the front of the package, haha. So, don't be fooled, buy 2 and save yourself an extra trip. 

My food processor. I tried it with the cheese grater first and decided the pieces weren't small enough, so I used a medium bowl and went back through the batch with the processor attachment to make it into much smaller pieces. 

Take the 2 bars of soap and cut it into four equal size pieces {butter knife will do}. Slowly put one piece at a time through your processor. 

This is after having gone through it the second time. Much better! 

After about 3 pieces I would dump it into my 5 gallon bucket and then pour about 1/3 of each ingredient one at a time into the bucket in layers. This makes it easy to stir and combine equally. 

This is what it looked like after it had been mixed. 

This is after I had finished emptying all of my ingredients one at a time, 1/3 at a time, stir and then repeat. Use your remaining empty containers from the Purex Crystals {I ripped the plastic picture off} and sat it on the inside of my bucket, lid off.  

While funneling the mixture into the container with a spoon.

One spoonful at a time, it took less than 2 minutes per container, so it goes really quick!

I wasn't joking. It really does move quick. 

This is what was left after I had filled both of my Purex containers. 

This bucket with the spill proof lid will be perfect for storing the excess mixture until one or both of your Purex containers is empty. There was easily enough to fill at least 2 more.  I just kept my spoon and funnel in the bucket for next time, they won't be missed!

You can tell there's almost 1/3 left of the bucket, which is approx. half of the mixture. 

My 2 full containers full and ready to be put in my laundry room for use! It smells amazing!

Tip #3 I placed my copy of the recipe inside an envelope, taped it on the top, labeled and dated it for easy access hopefully a yearish from now when I need to remake a batch. By dating it I will be able to tell exactly how long this detergent lasted. Also, I won't have to open it 6 months from now when I'm wondering what is inside the random bucket.

Tip #4 If you plan on following my next DIY Adventure, DIY Dishwashing Detergent, don't throw away the empty container from your Oxi Clean!

What are your favorite recipes?