Homemade Laundry Detergent

I am going to attempt to make my own laundry detergent tonight.  By doing this I hope to save a TON of money.  I’m even thinking about bottling it and selling some “green” detergent… what do you think?  Ha ha ha!  Seriously, I do hope it works and so far it looks like it’s going to save me a ton.  Here’s a breakdown of the cost…

Arm & Hammer Washing Soda - $2.95

Mule Team Borax - $4.65

Both after tax were $8.19

5 gallon bucket - $2.48

Lid for bucket - $.98

Both after tax were $3.73

Total OOP = $11.92

The bucket and lid were a onetime purchase that I shouldn’t have to invest in again for a long, long time.  The washing soda and borax I know I can get AT LEAST 6 “recipes” out of (if not more), so that would make it about $1.37 per recipe.  For my HE washer I should get 640 loads out of that so cost per load is .0021!!!    

I was looking at Tide in HT last night and when it goes on sale it is normally $9.97 and pair with a $1 coupon that would make it $8.97 and it gets 64 loads for an HE washer, but that’s only if you’re putting in the minimal amount of detergent, so let’s reduce the number by 25%.  I would say that would be closer to the norm.  That would make it last for 48 loads.  That is .187 per load.  Making my own is a savings of .1849 per load and I do two a night on an average night throughout the week so that would be a minimum savings per year of $134.98!

I really hope this works because any little bit helps.  I still have a lot of detergent at home that I’ve bought and will have to use, but you know what… it’s already been bought and that money is gone.  I doubt I still have my receipt to return it but I’m not so worried about that.  I will take it to the beach house my in laws bought if I like the homemade stuff so we won’t have to worry about buying any for down there.

Now, how do you make your own fabric softener or am I just wasting my money buying it to begin with?