DIY: Make your own laundry powder

Happy Thanksgiving one and all!

May your holiday weekend be merry and bright...

Homemade laundry powder can be a cost-effective way to avoid

the harsh perfumes and dyes of commercial products.

Our supply of laundry powder ingredients has lasted about 3 months, and cost around $8 total.

There are cheaper laundry soaps out there, but the chemical "freer" laundry soap

alternatives can be very expensive. 

Because we have a small apartment and there are only two of us, we make small batches about once a month. I'll share with you the basic ratio of ingredients, so that you can multiply accordingly.

Here is what you'll need to make your own laundry powder:

1 bar Ivory soap or Fels-Naptha bar finely grated

1/2 cup Borax

1/2 cup washing Powder

You only need to use 1 tablespoon for each load--MAX. I only use about 1/2 tablespoon for an average size (and minimally soiled) load.

To grate your soap, I suggest you use a food processor. 

We grate our soap using a standard grater. It is fine for our washing machine, though many washing machine's do not appreciate larger chunks of soap and will leave a residue after each load.

Cadence was on hand to oversee the laundry powder operation. Thank goodness.

Borax is also useful for myriad other chores around the house, and has been a great alternative to the army of toxic chemical cleaners under our sink.

We sprinkle it on our carpets to deodorize before we vacuum each week. 

There is a great list of alternate uses for borax on www.diylife.com/2010/08/12/25-household-uses-for-borax/

Another frugal laundry trick we love is using tennis balls in the dryer. Not only does laundry dry faster, but it also leaves towels and blankets extra fluffy and cuts down on the static! 

We now use those little neon balls completely in the place of standard dryer sheets. 

Fair warning: doing the laundry with tennis balls can be loud!