Laundry Detergent

1. Fill a pot of water and set it on high to boil on the stove.
2. Grate 1 bar of Fels Neptha laundry soap bar into the water.
3. Reduce heat to simmer and stir occasionally, cooking until soap is dissolved (especially with new washers as it can easily clog the detergent area).
4. In the meantime, measure 1 cup Arm and Hammer Superwash and 1 cup 20 Mule Team Borax into a 5lb heavy duty Tupperware or bucket (with a lid).
5. Once the Fels Neptha is dissolved, cool the water for 20-30 mins.
6. Pour over the mix in the 5 lb. container.
7. Mix well with large spoon and let it overnight. 
8. Mix will turn to gel - break up with your hands and stir well the next day and sit again overnight.
9. Mix will turn to gel - break up with your hands and stir well again the next day (I use a powerful drill with a cement mixer attachment).  

 

Uses

I keep my detergent stored in an airtight Tupperware storage bin.  On the handle I have a small metal hook screwed in so that I can hang a measuring cup.  I use almost 1 cup per load, scooping a cup and filling my washer to the fill line.  I have a High Efficiency washer and have no issues using this detergent in it.  This detergent is made with all natural, hypoallergenic and green ingredients.

Cost  

Here is the cost breakdown:

·         Borax: $12 box 76oz

·         Arm & Hammer Superwash: $10 box 55oz

·         Fels Neptha: $1.00 per bar

Using 1 cup of each boxed mix per batch we can make up to 6 batches per box.  That being said we would need 6 laundry bars for a total cost of $28.  1 batch of detergent lasts me about 6 months.  So for $28 I can make enough detergent to last 3 years.  

Savings

The typical detergent runs around $10 per large container, which lasts about 1 1/2 months in my house.  That is about 8 containers a year for around $80.  That is 24 containers in 3 years for around $240.  That is a savings of $212 in 3 years or around $71 per year.