Gifting The World’s Best Homemade Laundry Detergent – FREE PRINTABLE
February 27, 2013 by Shelley
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Have you tried the Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe by our guest poster Blissful 55? If you haven’t, you probably should join the thousands that have discovered how wonderful it is. This homemade recipe is cheaper, an BETTER than the store bought stuff. It’s basically the best stuff ever. I really REALLY wish this picture was “scratch and sniff”.
I wanted to a cute way to gift this detergent to friends and family so they could experience it too.
Our talented graphic designer, Heather from Chickabug, created an adorable Laundry Soap gift giving printable. And of course, it’s available to our readers for FREE.
I etched the jars to make them a bit more custom. All you need for this project is
1. Vinyl (use your silhouette or order precut vinyl off Etsy).
2. Etching Cream (you can find this at almost any craft store).
3. Glass Jars I purchased these little glass jars from Hobby Lobby, but any glass container would work. Even small mason jars (or big mason jars if you want to be really nice).
If you have never etched glass, it is surprisingly simply. All you do is take the negative part of the vinyl, not the part you would usually use, at place it directly on the glass you want to etch.
Then simply use a cloth and dab a little glass etching cream over the vinyl.
Wait about 20 minutes and then wash it off. I did multiple jars at once so I could have these Laundry Soap gifts on hand for friends birthdays.
I decided I definitely needed one too, but I needed mine large enough to hold all my detergent in my Laundry room! Using a large glass container, I used the same techniques to create a custom statement piece. Do I dare say my laundry room looks pretty with this added jar?!
I slightly adapted the original Blissful 55 recipe to include Scentsy Washer whiffs. They are out-of-this-world amazing.
Ingredients
- 1 (4 lb 12 oz) Box of Borax- Found in the detergent aisle
- 1 (3 lb 7 oz) Box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda- Found in the detergent aisle
- 1 (3 lb) Container of OxyClean- Found in the detergent aisle
- 2 (14.1 oz) Bars of Zote Soap- Found in the detergent aisle (You can also use Fels Naptha)
- 1 (4 lb) Box of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda- Found in the cooking aisle (You could also get two 2 lb box, we couldn’t find the larger 4lb box when we went)
- 4 Bottles of Scentsy Washer Whiffs- found online or through a Scentsy Representative (you can also use 2 Bottles of Purex Crystals Fabric Enhancer- Found in the detergent aisle)
Instructions
- Grate zote soap with cheese grater or food processor.
- Mix all ingredients together in a large bucket.
- Use 2 -4 Tablespoons per laundry load.
I’m telling you, the Scentsy Washer Whiffs makes this detergent the best smelling laundry detergent EVER. My favorite scent is Quiver, but they are all incredible.
I like to grate my Zote soap with a zester to make it really really fine. You can also use a cheese grater, a food processor, or melt it in the microwave and crumble it.
This recipe is definitely easiest to mix in a big ole 5 gallon bucket.
Blissful 55 taught us to layer each ingredient and then mix together.
You’ll have laundry detergent for MONTHS. Plus some to share with your friends.
It really is the best, and least expensive detergent option out there. Hop on over to the original post and read over 1,500 comments from readers who have tried this recipe. They have a several helpful tips they’ve learned along the way.
I promise this gift will make someone’s day. It’s unique, it’s useful, and it smells amazing.
You’ll need your LAUNDRY SOAP GIFT GIVING printable for all the gifts you are about to create. Chickabug created them exclusively for HowDoesShe readers for FREE.
With a recipe as fabulous as this, I know you must be dying to know what else Blissful 55 has up their sleeve. Maybe, if we are lucky, we can talk them into doing another guest post for us soon. Until then, head on over to their blog and take a peek around.
Make sure to remember Chickabug for all your party printable needs. Her designs are over the top adorable and she there are over 50 themes to choose from. She is one incredibly talented designer and we are lucky to have her on our team. An extra special thanks to her for designing this free Laundry gift giving printable for HowDoesShe readers.
Need more great gifts? How about for the new baby? Shower gifts?
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You can also add essential oils. Like lavender or lemon, etc.
Love this! Sometimes I wish I didn’t have front-loader machine just so I could use homemade powdered detergent!
I have a front load washer and the powder laundry soap works fine as I add it
directly into the washer tub then add clothes and wash .
I also add directly to the tub of my front loader. This stuff is amazing and cheap!
I’ve experienced allergic reaction to OxyClean, an ingredient in your homemade laundry detergent. What would you recommend as an alternative ingredient?
There are many comments about alternative ingredients in the original recipe posted here: http://www.howdoesshe.com/cheaper-and-better-diy-laundry-detergent/ There might be some suggestions on the Oxyclean for people that have similar reactions. Hope this helps!
KPotter:
I would suggest trying Free & Clear Natural Oxy Stain Remover by Seventh Generation. I think it works great and it doesn’t contain Chlorine. Hope this works for you.
Thanks for the suggestion!!!
I personally just use more baking soda and omit the oxyclean.
I have an HE washer, is this safe for it? On the bottle of oxyclean it states to put directly in washer drum? Really want to try this, but don’t want to break my washer lol.
It is HE safe. Put it directly in the washer drum for best results in a front load.
Does this work in front loading HE machines?
Yes. Just put it directly in the drum.
I would try this but my oldest daughter will break out in a rash if I use arm & hammer detergent on her clothes. So i’m not sure what would happen with baking soda and arm & hammer washing soda.
Scentsy washer whiffs are amazing! Thanks for the plug
Love this recipe even more since I saw Scentsy washer whiffs is included!! As a consultant and big fan of Scentsy glad to see that people know this is the best soap ever especially being that it brings out the fragrance!!
Amanda
This sounds wonderful. I love stuff like this. What a great gift idea..it’s hard to find great stuff that is not food (haha). So you find that this works as well as Tide?
Love this idea so much. Such a great gift!! I love all your pictures. Ash
Does anyone have experience using this with cloth diapers? I’ve been wanting to switch diaper soaps for a while but the specific “cloth diaper” soaps are so expensive!
I wouldn’t. Oxyclean for sure is a no no on cloth. Also, anything with fragrance or optical brighteners. I am sure that some of the ingredients are ok, but definitely not all. Have you tried Nellie’s? I use 1/4 – 1/2 scoop per load and so a $20 tin lasts me up to 400 loads of diapers. I doubt this recipe beats 5-10 cents per load!
You can simply use Borax for cloth diapers you do not need any fancy soaps to get them clean.
Amazing Stuff!…I used the Purex crystals that I had never heard of before making my detergent, but they are actually fabric softener, which just adds to the savings!
You can also find Zote already grated for you. A container with the amount of 2 bars grated. Zote Laundry Flakes…in the detergent isle. Works great!
I have made this soap from the first time I saw it on your web site. Great stuff. I usually make a 2 gallon drum of it so it will last longer. I also have an HE washer. It works fine. I do have a suggestion or two. Instead of using Armor-All Etching cream, why not use an etching cream that isn’t so toxic. Like “Etch-All.com”. This I have used for several years with out any issues. You can rinse the Etch-All off in the kitchen sink. It won’t hurt you if you get some on your hands. Great stuff for etching. It comes in cream & liquid. Only problem I found with it,is it won’t etch on leaded glass. The other is why not use your electric mixer attachment for grating up the soap bar. I have used my Kitchen Aid to do this. It saves a lot of time plus you don’t run the risk of skinned knuckle/fingers if you get too close to the hand held graters.
I have been using this detergent since last May. I’m glad that I found it as it is cost effective and works great in cleaning.
I have been using this product since last May. It is one of the best ideas I have found on pinterest. I have shared it with my mother and it worked so well for her that one of her granddaughters took it when she moved to her new apartment.
Has anyone tried to convert this to a liquid detergent? I’m going to attempt it. I have a similar laundry detergent recipe that is liquid. I’ll let you know if it works.
Let me know how it goes!! We have had several requests for a liquid version. I’d love to hear how yours turns out! THank you!
I’ve used a similar recipe for years. I use the Fels Naptha soap and have not had a baby stain problem since switching to this great solution. I have saved so much money by not having to replace stained clothing for my 4 kiddos. I have used it on baby clothes once they reach 6 mo old. Just to be extra cautions for their delicate skin.
I have also made this in liquid form. It is FABULOUS in ‘he’ front load washers. Never had a problem with the liquid formula.
Enjoy! It is such a money saver all around!
What is the recipe for the liquid form?
I’m not 100% posotive but I have read that you just add water and simmer it? Again, just what I have read.
I’d never heard of the Scentsy Whiffs, but man…they’re expensive! I’m willing to give it a try and mix a couple in with my soap recipe, but $48 in smelly stuff kind of defeats the purpose of making your own, doesn’t it?
And I’ve used this soap recipe for almost a year now and love it, by the way! This last time I made it, I forgot the smelly stuff (I usually buy the crystal stuff at the grocery store), so I’m anxious to get some Scentsy to mix in!
The washer whiffs are amazing, but a fabulous alternative is the purex crystals found at the grocery store.
THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!!
It is the best thing I have ever made that was worth my time.
The smell is w o n d e r f u l !!
I just followed the steps and Ta Daa!
“The Best Laundry detergent EVER!”
I must say, I was a little leary at first.
I was thinking it would be some old fashion type of detergent.
No WAY!
I put some in jars and gave a few gifts to my nice neighbors.
I am ready to sell the stuff, I believe in it!
Thanks so much for sharing and doing what you do!
I bleach whites…..can this soap be used with bleach?
I’ve been using homemade laundry soap for some time now – I find that when I wash a load of DARKS – black sweatshirts etc. there are one streaks left on the clothes. Drying them in the dryer, most of it seems to disappear – perhaps just the rubbing against these streaks…. sometime the items have to be rewashed. I think it might be my new washer that I don’t like at all…. it is a top loader without an agitator. It is supposed to be cleaned every 35 loads and I have done that… it is done on the “clean washer” cycle with bleach. It hasn’t helped at all.OR is it this homemade soap? My soap is made with just the Borax, 1 bar of Zote or 3 bars of Fels, washing soda and baking soda. No Oxiclean or fabric softener. Any suggestions?
Would Downy Unstopables work as a substitution for the Scentsy or Purex?
I would also like to know if the Downy Unstopables would work?
I use almost this exact recipe, except I use 2 containers of the Downy Unstoppables. I also use Fels instead of Zote. HE Washer. Smells LOVELY!!
I looked in four different stores for the A&H Super Washing Soda and couldn’t find it. I ended up deciding it was the same as their detergent (which I don’t think it is now that I’ve researched it some more) and ended up using it anyway. Will this be OK? I’d hate to have to scratch this whole batch. I also found that microwaving the Zote took waaaay longer than indicated.
Just wondering how many loads of laundry does your recipe wash?
Will this soap dissolve easily when using the “warm” or “cool” water cycles on an HE top load washer? Thanks for your help!!
Just a tip for the fells naptha bar, microwave it for a minute and a half on a glass plate. It will bubble all up and look like its going to expkode but it doesnt. Let it cool. When u shred it it will be fine like sand and shreds really dry so it only takes a minute or two and you’re done! We make a five fallon bucket of liquid detergent, same ingredients but leave out the oxyclean and double the borax. Use the whole naptha bar. Double everything else. We use the purex crystals. In a saucepan melt your fells naptha gratings. Shuld b frothy on top but no chunks. Nice and smooth. We used six cups of water for the sauce pan. Add your other soaps. Fill the bucket half full with hot water. Add two cups of scented cryatals and stir with a wire wisk until its fully disolved. Then add your soap mixture. Stir again and slowly fill the rest of the bucket with more hot water. It will be a soapy feeling watery consistency, not really a gel. May have an egg drop soup consistency. Stir well then let it sit over nite. In the mor ing stir it again and pour it in an old laundry jug half way. Fill the rest with cold water. Shake. Now u r ready! U will have a five month supply of laundry detergent.
Works with ivory soap, too! The grating was killing me until I learned that when you microwave Ivory soap, it foams up. Once it cools, you can smash it with your bare hands!
so, my husband freaks out when it’s time to buy MORE laundry detergent at sams club. I am a scentsy consultant and want to try the washer wiffs and think MAYBE this would be an awesome thing to do. About how long does a batch of this last? I do probably 10 loads a week.. sometimes less. I constantly have to go through each shirt and treat it with stain treatment with two small children and half the time it doesn’t get the stain out anyway. I’m just wanting to go to my husband and say hey, this will be cheaper!!! also, my husband has sorta sensitive skin and he says that normal dry detergents at the store make him have a reaction. since i’ve known him we have used liquid. do you think it’s an ingreedient in powder that effects him, or is it all the fillers they use in laundry soap? My dad, an appliance repair man, said that laundry soaps use crushed glass and stuff as fillers and over time ruin your machines and wear out your clothes. could this be the perfect solution??
Does anyone know how many loads this particualr recipe will wash? Thanks!
This stuff is amazing! I use a 5 gal bucket to mix it and store it (Lowes,Home Depot,Walmart) I purchased everything except the Zote soap at Walmart. I live in Vancouver, Wa. I found the Zote at Home Depot in Janzten Beach, OR ( for all you that live in the area) Also, I think another commenter reccomended that if you use the Purex Crystals keep the container and lid and use to keep your laundry soap in. I WILL NEVER EVER NEVER USE TIDE AGAIN!!! THIS IS THE REAL DEAL!!!
Can i omit the borax, because here in Puerto Rico i cant find it. Anything else i can use to replace it?
OK. I have been miss bargain basement on buying laundry detergent for many years. I finally got tired of clothes not smelling clean without doctoring them up with laundry fresheners and dryer sheets($$$). I bit the bullet and started buying the Tide Pods and admittedly was immediately addicted…Until I tried this recipe. I am totally and finally hooked. I have a HE washer, no problems, it actually cleans the funky HE washer residue smell along with cleaning my clothes! I user the Purex Crystals (they were on sale) and some grating and mixing and done! Even after a week my 13 year old son commented that his sheets still smell good! Again, nothing short of amazing! I previously would use commercial liquids but got tired of the drips when people would miss the pour area. I just add powder to tub before adding laundry. Sorry Tide Pods but I am moving on! P.S. We have a farm and have a variety of smells and stains which have been no problem! Best Wishes!
How much did this all cost you? Also compared to regular laundry detergent?
Thanks, Ashley
I can not find the zote soap in my local store. I purchased 2 bars of fels-naptha but I was not sure the amount, in the recipe it says the zote soap is a 14.1 oz bar and the fels-naptha is only a 5.5 oz bar. DO I buy 2 bars of soap or enough bars to equal about 28.2 oz like the zote soap?
Does anyone know if it’s supposed to get sudsy? Mine didnt really get bubbly I was wondering if I used enough!
No it’s not.
Mom is sensitive to odors due to asthma and COPD. Is there much “smell” to this detergent if I leave out the Washer Whiffs?