Homemade Laundry Detergent

It seems like the cost of everything is up which can be a bit of a pain especially when it is something you use almost daily if not everyday, like laundry detergent.  A friend of mine turned me onto making my own laundry detergent after my oldest was born.  We were always looking of ways to cut costs.  Both my boys and myself included have super sensitive skin.  We cannot have anything with perfumes, dyes, or harsh chemicals because they are so irritating for us.  Free and clear detergents and baby detergents can run into some real coin.  When my friend showed me how easy and cost effective making my own detergent was I was willing to try.  Of course the first thing that I wondered was does it work though?  I was amazed to find out it does and even more amazed at my savings.

Here is what you will need:

1 – 55 ounce box of Arm & Hammer® Super Washing Soda = $3.99
1 – 76 ounce box of 20 Mule Team® Borax = $4.99
1 – 10 pack of 4.5 ounce bars of Dove® Sensitive Skin Bar Soap = $15.99 or $1.60/bar (This is what I use.  You can use anything though. Other brands of commonly used bar soaps include Pure & Natural®, Ivory®, and did I mention it is really up to you?)

So in total I spent $24.97.  With 10 bars of soap this will make 10 batches of detergent.  Per batch that breaks down to roughtly $4.99 a batch with about 65 loads in each batch.  That ends up being $0.07 a load!!!! 


So how do you make it? 

For dry detergent (powdered)

• 2 bars of shaved bar soap (use a cheese grater or for an easier way use a food processor to shave it)
• 1 cup of borax
• 1 cup of washing soda

Put all the ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly for about 5 minutes to make sure it is mixed well.  Store in a container.  Use 1 Tbsp per load or 2 for heavily soiled loads.

That's it.

For liquid detergent.

• Same items above
• 2 empty gallon jugs
• water

Fill a large pot with water and place on the stove.  While heating add the shaved soap flakes.  Continually stir the flakes until they are dissolved completely. Once boiling remove from heat and place in the sink (there is a good chance of boil over).  Quickly stir in the borax and baking soda until dissolved.  Using a funnel divide the detergent in the pot between the gallon jugs.  Fill the remainder of the jug with water.  Place the cap on and store.  You will use 1 cup of the homemade detergent per load, 1 1/2 for heavily soiled loads.

It really is that easy and cheap :)

Mittens made from an old sweater

Today I am making mittens from an old sweater.  I absolutely love upcycling old things to make them new.  Not only is it "green" but its fun to do.  I am constantly looking at things and wondering what I can remake them into.  This idea is a "pinspiration" from pinterest.com.

For this project you will need:

• An old sweater
• scissors
• Sharpie or ink pen
• Sewing machine or
• needle and thread. 

I used embroidery floss for thread since it is what I had on hand.

I will be using a needle and thread since the machine I am using is kaput at the moment.  It is not a whole lot of sewing so it can be done either way.

This is an easy project and would be great for a beginner.

Step 1:

Align the bottom edge/hem of the sweater.  This is going to serve as the base for your mittens.


Step 2:

Next, place your hand down on the sweater as seen above.  Spread your thumb away from the rest of your fingers and have your other fingers sit naturally.  You will want a little wiggle room between them.

Step 3:

 Trace around your hand.  TIP: Make sure to trace about a half inch from your hand as seen on the thumb.  (I didn't do that very well in this pic).  This gives you seam allowance when sewing the mittens together.

Step 4:

Repeat steps 2-3 for the other hand.  If you are not very good at tracing with your non-dominant hand have someone else trace for you.  Be sure to remember the seam allowance.


Step 5:

Follow your line that you traced and cut out the mittens.  Be sure to cut through the whole sweater so that you are cutting both the front and back of your mittens.

Step 6:

Make sure the edges are matched up and bind stitch the edge (through and over the fabric edge).

Step 7:

 Flip the mitten inside out once you are done sewing and there ya have it.

Step 8:

Repeat steps 5-7 for the other mitten

Optional Steps:

I chose to stitch a heart onto the left mitten.  I just cut out the shape I wanted placed it on the mitten and stitched it in place.  Feel free to embellish however you would like or not at all.

These were fun and easy to make.  I think they would make cute gifts for friends or loved ones.  It is a great way to transform something you were going to toss or get rid of and there are endless possibilities.


Have fun crafting!