DIY {Powdered} Laundry Detergent

We like to be a little bit eco friendly over here. I try my hardest to make as many products from our home naturally for lots of reasons: saves us money, isn't full of harsh chemicals, I know what is going in or on us, reducing the waste and damage to our Earth. I've made natural air freshener, spa kits, and even deodorant and toothpaste {tutorials on those to come}! I also make my own nursing pads, cloth wipes, un-paper towels, and natural toys for my kids. But one of the biggest money savers in the house involves laundry; laundry detergent. 

The process is very easy and luckily only includes three ingredients! 

You will need:

-1 c. Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda

-1 c. 20 Mule Team Borax 

-1 Bar Soap {Dr. Bronner's, Ivory, Fels Naptha}

-Container to store detergent in

I found that vintage blue ball mason jar at an antique store this past weekend on our family adventure up the coast!

Wait!

Before we get started... Super Washing Soda may be very hard to come by. When I first started making our own detergent I searched high and low for this stuff and couldn't find it anywhere. It wasn't in the baking isle {why would it be anyway?} like with baking soda, it wasn't in the household cleanser isle, and it wasn't with the laundry detergent. I tried grocery stores, hardware stores, the dollar store, even Big Lots; nothing. So then I decided to look up the different between baking soda and washing soda; they both practically do the same thing anyway {deodorize and brighten} and found that their chemical makeup is very close. I researched some more and found that you can make washing soda yourself from baking soda with a simple tutorial! So, if you're unable to find any of that fancy washing soda stuff, go here for the tutorial.

Ok, now we can get started...

1. Grate bar soap using fine grater {grate the whole bar}

You'll want it to be finely grated like this

2. Mix in the washing soda and borax

3. Stir for a few minutes to mix up the ingredients well

4. Store in container for use

Use 1 tbsp. per load {or 2 tbsp. for more soiled clothes}

Note: 

-This detergent is safe to use in all HE machines. The reason there are 'special' detergents needed for HE machines is because those machines use less water therefore they require less suds and lucky for you, this detergent creates hardly any suds at all!

-BORAX IS SAFE and is not toxic. Many debated whether or not Borax was safe and it is. Just dont go ingesting large quantities of it and you will be fine {duh}. Also, do not confuse Borax with Boric Acid. Two very different products there!!

-I use this detergent on my baby's clothes and he hasn't broke out in a rash. I've had some mama's ask me if this is safe for baby and I believe it is. HOWEVER; if your child has skin sensitivities, please make and use with caution. If baby breaks out in a rash after using this detergent discontinue use and ask your ped's doctor for a skin sensitive detergent.