How to make your own powdered laundry detergent

While I've been stuck on the floor I've discovered Pinterest and StumbleUpon. You gotta try these, there is soooo much to learn out there. Anyway, there are a lot of stay-at-home moms posting tutorials for everything under the sun, and I thought I'd try my hand at a few of them. I've read about some DIY liquid detergents, but the heating and mixing process (not to mention the quantity) just seemed too involved for me right now. When I discovered that many of the same ingredients can be used to create powdered detergents, I decided to see if it was for me.

Q: Why do it myself?

A: Well, I'm bored, and have plenty of time on my hands right now.

A: Other bloggers promise I can save a lot of money with this method.

A: With sensitive skin and allergies, controlling irritants and additives really appeals to me.

How to make your own powdered laundry detergent

You will need:

1 Fels-Naptha or Zote laundry bar

1 cup 20 Mule Team Borax

1 cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda, or DIY

1/4 cup baking soda

food processor

canning funnel (optional)

26 oz airtight storage canisters

If you can't find washing soda at your store, or want to save a little money making it yourself, read my tutorial on how to turn baking soda into washing soda.

To my dismay, a lot of other bloggers have included smelly crystals and fragrances. Why would you add unnecessary skin and nose irritants? Laundry can actually be clean and fresh without smelling like a chemical plant!

Using the grater/shredder disc on your food processor, shred the laundry bar. Several bloggers have commented that Fels-Naptha is easier to work with if frozen for 48 hours and then smashed with a hammer before shredding. Impatient as I am, I put it in the freezer overnight, then whacked it once or twice with the hammer. It broke into a couple of pieces, but my food processor was strong enough to handle the job.You might have to put some resistant chunks through a couple of times. Zote is a lot softer and can be cut into smaller pieces before adding to the feed tube.

Switch to the chopper blade, and process until bar is finely chopped. Gradually add the remaining ingredients and continue blending. That's it! Transfer to an airtight container. This recipe fits perfectly into 26 oz peanut butter jars.

I'd recommend soaking and scrubbing your utensils and  processor parts before running them through the dishwasher. They may leave your dishes filmy.

It only takes a couple of tablespoons per load... really! It's hard to resist pouring in more, but I've restrained myself and been very pleased for two or three weeks now. I have an extra coffee spoon labeled 2TBS that somehow holds more than this cute little 1/8 cup scoop. Aren't there 4 tablespoons in 1/4 cup? Even if it's inaccurate, it's cute and small enough to store in the canister. I'll just use generously rounded spoonfuls.

Fels-Naptha and Zote formulas

The Fels-Naptha bar is mustard yellow and has a no-nonsense detergent scent that I do not detect after clothes come out of the dryer (I have a nose like a bloodhound). The Fels-Naptha bar did not chop as finely, so you may want to help it dissolve by adding it to the wash water prior to putting in your clothes.

The Zote bar is bubble-gum pink and has a slightly "fresher" scent. I smell a trace of the Zote scent on finished laundry, but most people wouldn't pick it up.

Several bloggers have claimed that this detergent is safe for HE machines because the soap bars don't get sudsy. I do not own one of these machines, so use at your own risk.

How to turn baking soda into washing soda

It's time for chemistry in the kitchen! 

Q: Why would I need washing soda?

A: So you can make your own laundry detergent! It's a natural water softener and stain remover.

Q: Can't I just buy washing soda at the store?

A: Probably, but I couldn't get to the store. Also, this method may be cheaper depending upon your energy costs.

Arm & Hammer Washing Soda wasn't available through Safeway.com, and Amazon.com carries it, but with a ridiculous price mark-up (no doubt to compensate for the free shipping). If it's difficult for you to find in your area, try this simple recipe:

How to turn baking soda into washing soda in your own kitchen

You will need:

baking soda

an oven

baking trays (not aluminum)

spatula/turner

airtight container

Set your oven to 400° F. The process will actually work at 270° or greater, but you don't want to wait around for that, do you?  Pour the baking soda into your trays. I used one tray for each pound, so the powder was shallower and had more surface area for the reaction.

Bake for an hour. I stirred it a couple of times to ensure even heating and exposure. I read that it doesn't hurt to over cook it, so I didn't keep a close watch on the clock. When a friend picked me up for dinner, I just turned off the oven and let it cool in the trays.

Here's a little science lesson while you wait for the magic to happen:

Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate (CHNaO₃), while washing soda or soda ash is sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃). When baking soda is heated, carbon dioxide and water are given off. 

If not stored in an airtight container, it will absorb moisture from the air, and lose its potency. Which makes me wonder, how effective is the stuff sitting in a cardboard box on the supermarket shelf?

Once the powder cools, store in a clearly labeled airtight plastic canister.

baking soda --> washing soda

Lessons learned: I found out later that washing soda is not recommended for cleaning aluminum, which explains why one pan was left filmy. The coated cookie sheet came out of the dishwasher just fine.

Also, I know the number one rule in chemistry lab is to not use the taste test, but I couldn't resist. How could I know that it really was no longer baking soda? So I stuck a finger in and touched it to my tongue. Ewww! It was soapy and not at all zesty and tangy like baking soda. I rinsed my mouth out right away. It's not toxic, but very caustic and can irritate the skin and eyes. I didn't notice a big hole in my tongue, and I haven't died from it yet, but I'd recommend you take my word for it. And if that's not enough to convince you, read About.com's chemistry column.

Using white vinegar as a fabric softener

After reading a lot of blogs about DIY fabric softener, I decided to try just straight white vinegar. I don't need more scents and irritants, but it seems a lot of people add perfumes to the wash just because it makes the clothes smell "clean." 

you have to trust me on this one

So, I just filled my Downy ball with vinegar and threw it in with the wash. The clothes came out of the dryer soft and unscented. They do not smell like vinegar. This just elevated the joy of fresh, clean sheets to a new level of dreamy softness! And a bonus: the dryer ball is clean! 

I won't be buying fabric softener ever again!

Additional bonus: the vinegar worked beautifully to wipe off all the lint and detergent drippings to make my washer portrait-ready. 

Update: I'd recommend filling the Downy ball completely full, especially for a full load of towels and sheets. That's about one cup for those of you with other types of dispensers. For this load I experimented with only filling it to the line, and I wasn't as impressed as in previous trials.