How to Make Laundry Powder

Well, Erin is in the throngs of relocation so you get to hear from ME again today. Aren't you just so so so lucky?

I was not really a huge proponent of really making my own laundry soap, UNTIL Henry (my four-year-old) developed this wicked weird rash and it didn't appear to be caused by his bath soap. So, rather than spend a fortune on pricey "free" laundry soap (you know, free of dyes, scents, etc.) I just decided to give the whole "homemade" idea a whirl.

And surprise surprise, it's EASY and okay, little bit FUN.

I had to search high and low for the type of laundry detergent I wanted. See, I saw no reason to create a liquid because, well, um, it was really just adding WATER to something. I thought that was a step I could skip. Most of the "make your own" ideas out there are liquid. Not my thing.

PLUS, I have this, like, phobia of stinky smells. I don't mean like body odor smells (that too though) I mean like, how some earthy, "organic" types of soaps have a weird "after-smell" to them. I am NOT describing it properly...). I needed something guaranteed not to smell weird to my overly-sensitive nose.

PLUS, I didn't trust myself to add my own "essential oils" for "scent." I am just no bueno at deciding when enough is enough. Ya know?

So, with all that in mind, I needed a POWDER that was either 100% scent-free (and smell-free) or that smelled GOOD and didn't require too much attention and thinking from myself.

I am a tough sell.

So, I found this recipe (and then promptly FORGOT where I found it and have spent a month searching it out on my hard drive again. I should have just re-googled it! Good grief.)

I'm reposting it exactly from Soulemama.com. However, I'll share my own variation and feelings on the matter.

Homemade Laundry Powder

(Makes approximately 5 cups)

2 cups (finely) grated castile soap

1 cup borax

1 cup baking soda

1 cup soda ash (washing soda)

From The Diet Coke Diet

I used her suggestion and ordered Dr. Bronner's organic soap. I ordered peppermint and his citrus orange. Both are fabulous. But citrus orange is our favorite. LOVE!

From The Diet Coke Diet

From The Diet Coke Diet

However, any castile soap will work. You can even make your own if you're feeling incredibly ambitious!

But, I was feeling overwhelmed with the prospect of making my own laundry soap, so I just bought some. I bought five bars (I think), and the shipping was free.

Step 1: Grate the bar of soap as finely as you can. (Don't let the kids eat it, they'll think it's cheese!)

From The Diet Coke Diet

Step 2: Measure the Borax, Washing Soda and Baking Soda all together.

Step 3: Add the grated soap, and stir. 

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Please note the huge mess I was making. 

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How it looks all stirred up:

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From The Diet Coke Diet

Step Four: Store in an airtight container

From The Diet Coke Diet

I believe in recycling, so this is an orange juice container.

The grated soap does tend to settle so give it a shake before you add it.

Between 1/8-1/4 of a cup per load, depending on water-hardness and clothing's soil level. 

The original recipe said that it took 1 and a half bars of soap to get two cups of grated soap, but I found for my needs, that one bar alone is plenty. It makes about five cups and this lasts me about twenty minutes. Just kidding! This much lasts us about 2-3 weeks depending on how dirty my kids are being. 

Truth be told, it has NOT solved Henry's rash, which is a bummer, but I really REALLY like the smell, and for the price, it's a lot cheaper than buying a high-quality laundry soap, so we're sticking with the homemade kind. 

It's a lot easier than you might think. You know me, if it ain't easy, I probably won't do it. ;)