I don’t consider myself particularly crafty or fit into the “tradwife” mold. My kids’ Valentine’s cards came straight from Amazon, and I have never felt the urge to churn my own butter or weave baskets from homegrown straw. In fact, I have a deep appreciation for modern conveniences—hello, grocery pick-up, pizza delivery, and pre-cut fruit.
But occasionally, I find myself drawn to the idea of making something from scratch. Not because I’m on a mission to rid my home of every possible chemical or because I believe homemade is always superior, but simply because I’m curious. Can I make something better? Will it work just as well (or better) than the store-bought version? And, most importantly, will I actually enjoy the process?
That’s how I ended up making my own laundry detergent. It started as a little experiment.
Our laundry situation is intense, with three kids constantly getting into everything—school projects, dance, baseball, and whatever other messes they stumble into. I wondered if a homemade detergent could get our clothes cleaner than the big-brand stuff, and honestly, I think it does. Or maybe I want to believe it does. Either way, I haven’t looked back.
Now, I’m not here to tell you that making your own detergent will change your life or that store-bought options are evil. But if you’re looking for a simple, effective, and budget-friendly way to tackle laundry, this recipe is worth a try. It’s easy to make, lasts forever, and works in high-efficiency machines.
DIY Laundry Detergent Recipe
Ingredients:
- 3 bars Zote soap, grated
- 1 box Borax (4 lbs. 12 oz.)
- 1 box Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (3 lbs. 7 oz.)
- 1 box Baking Soda (4 lbs.)
Instructions:
- Grate the Zote soap using a cheese grater or a food processor.
- In a large container, mix all the ingredients until well combined.
- Store in an airtight container.
- Use about two tablespoons per load.
