Make Your Own Detergent

Well, it is Works For Me Wednesday again and this time I actually have something to add.


I made my own laundry detergent and it really works!!


There are lots of recipes online for powder and liquid laundry detergent but I found a great recipe and explanation of how all of the components work here.


I made mine out of 1 cup of Borax, 1 cup of Washing Soda and 1 cup Fels Naptha soap shavings. I mixed up a big batch and started using it. I use 1/4 cup in each load.


It seems to work just as well as any other detergent and I actually like the smell of the Fels Naptha soap. It is a little strange not to see any bubbles or suds in the machine, but hey it works, so who cares.


I will warn you that I also tried to make my own dishwasher detergent. It does not work. It is horrible as a matter of fact. Everything came out scummy and with a film on it. See....

The glass on the right was washed in the homemade detergent and the glass on the left was washed in Cascade.

I used the 1 cup Borax, 1 cup Washing Soda, 1/4 cup salt recipe and then put vinegar in my rinse agent dispenser. It still didn't help. It bothers me that there is no soap in the recipe...and the fact that it doesn't actually clean anything.

I've never wanted to handwash dishes so badly in mylife. I take that back....I've never wanted to handwash dishes in my life, until now. I'm so glad to have my good old generic Great Value dishwasher detergent back.

For more great ideas head over to WFMW at Rocks in My Dryer.