How to Make Your Own Laundry Detergent

Making your own laundry detergent can be a bit of a time investment, but if you're looking to save some money and maybe do a fun project, this could be for you!

To make your own laundry detergent, you'll need to get a couple things together.

Tools:

• Grater
• Food Processor
• Bowl
• Storage Container
• Measuring Cup

Ingredients:

• Bar of fels-naptha
• Borax Detergent Booster
• Arm-and-Hammer Washing Soda

Optional Ingredients:

• Essential oil of choice (I recommend the Purity blend by doTerra)

Grate the bar of fels-naptha into a the food processor. You can also use a natural option like the coconut-based bar pictured,

Use the food processor to grind the grated bar of fels-naptha into a really fine consistency. It won't quite process into a powder, but it get fine enough to blend well with the other ingredients.

You may have to do this step in parts depending on the size of your food processor. Add a total of 1 cup of Borax and 1 cup of Washing Soda to the grated Fels-naptha.

While your mix is still in the food processor, add a few drops of your chosen essential oil and blend well. You may choose to do this in batches as well to make sure it is evenly mixed.

Now that it's all blended, all that's left is to pour it all into your storage container, and start washing! You will use a similar amount to your regular detergent, about a half cup to a whole cup depending on how many clothes you are washing.

All photos by me, Heather Starr.