My Own Detergent and Re-Ordering Aion

Frugal Dreamer's last post about making your own laundry detergent finally convinced me to try it for myself. I would rate the project as a moderate success.

I used the recipe she gave here. For my soap, I used Irish Spring , Reviving with Mint, because I failed to look at the website from which Frugal Dreamer took her recipe, which recommends that you not use heavily perfumed soap, lest it stain your clothing.



I think I ended up spending about as much as Frugal Dreamer did, but differently. I couldn't find any place in my area that sold washing soda, so I ordered some from ebay from this person (she was the cheapest at the time, and she delivered within 5 days, so I'd recommend her). The Borax was lying around the house from a failed project by Mr. Goat, but would have cost about $3 at Wal-Mart. I didn't have to buy a bucket, though, because I had a kitty litter bucket lying around. I save them because they are so so useful around the house, and they proved so this time as well. The soap came as part of a package; it's what we use here at Chez Goat normally.

The actual detergent-making process was quite simple, and it looked like it came out really well. The next morning, it had hardened to a scary jello-like consistency. A vigorous stir yielded a light green sludgy mess.



I have a high energy front loader washing machine, and the detergent did not dissolve in the little tray. However, when I put it directly into the drum, it dissolved fine and cleaned clothing fairly well. After two loads, I have not noticed any staining. The only thing that did not come clean was one pair of muddy white socks, but I washed them on normal with no bleach, so I don't think commercial detergent would have done any better.



I am using about half a cup of detergent per load, so figure 40 loads per batch. It looks like the borax will make 3 batches, so ~ $1 a batch; the washing soda will make 2 batches, so ~ $4.23 a batch, and the soap was ~ $1 bar. So $6.23 per batch, or almost 16 cents a load. Arm & Hammer Detergent, my usual brand, costs about the same amount, tax included, for 31 loads, or a little more that 20 cents a load. The detergent website has a recipe (#8) that uses baking soda instead of washing soda, which I might try next time, as that would bring the cost down for me significantly.

On a different note, Amazon canceled my Aion pre-order. When I pre-ordered, it was $3 cheaper than it is now, but when I called them and complained, they gave me a $3 credit on my new pre-order. So if you had the same problem, it's worth giving them a call to get your $3 back.