Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I am looking into making my own laundry soap to save some money, but will I really save money? I get my detergent on sale at the discount store and I figure that it costs about 12 cents a load. To me, that is very good. If I make my own, what will it cost per load based on your own experience.
I make my own and figure it costs about 7 cents a load. Also, I use only white vinegar in the rinse cycle and my clothes are cleaner and softer than they ever were with store-bought stuff.
Linda in Missouri
i think you might save a few more cents, but the idea of making your own is more of a self sufficiency thing than a big money saver. just the knowledge that if you need to you can. that in itself can be a great ego booster. some people make their own stuff to see how much money they can save. some for allergy problems. some for hard water problems. some (like me) just to prove you don't have to depend on name brands to do well. you don't even have to depend on store brands to do well. making a game of seeing what you can do without or make do with what you have can be a lot of fun and it give you a sense of accomplishment.
I have been making mine for about 2 years now and not only save money on the detergent, but I don't run out and buy more stuff when I do run out of it.
I have even added cheap hair shampoo to the mix when I have it on hand as it cuts body grease on collars. My family thinks I am nuts because I do make my own but they would never have known had I not told them as my clothes are just as clean if not cleaner than when I bought detergent at the store.
I also use vinegar for almost all my household cleaning chores. When a pet has an accident on my tile floors I pour straight vinegar on the floor and mop. It kills any smell and cleans up as well.
I clean chrome, glass, carpet, counter tops etc...
One more way I have cut down on household expenses is using cloth napkins and rags as opposed to paper. This has saved a ton of money just on these two areas of expense! HTH
Like you I was going to also make my own laundry detergent UNTIL I read this. Use only 2 tablespoons of laundry detergent per an average load of laundry to get your clothes clean and to get your washer to last longer (A Maytag reapair man told this tidbit).
Thanks for the info -- I usually buy 10-12 at a time so I never run out and it literally lasts me "forever" but I understanding about the self sufficiency.
Linda -- You pay close to half what I do - I like that what do you use to make it? And this may be a "stupid" question but how do you know when the cycle is on rinse? My washer doesn't say. Can you pour the vinegar right on the clothes? Colors too?
Thanks, Mindy
i have used cheap washing liquid in the soap drawer of my washing machine the kind u use for washing the dishes for years! i was told it would be bad for the machine but my washing machine is 15 years old and still going strong it works perfectly i have used this as bubble bath, hair shampoo, diluted in water as a household cleaner etc i buy this and bleach and it covers most things
You better believe making your own saves money! I also like that it's made with natural products. The clothes come out sparkling clean, too!
I haven't heard of this before. What do you use to make your own laundry detergent?
Mindy I put the vinigar in at the first of the wash to take out odors and disenfect the laundry. I think you will like it. 2 to 3 Tablespoons will do. It says 1/4 cup but that gets expensive..
Yes you will save money. I make soap 2 times a year. I make the powder detergent. I also use white vinegar in my loads also. Remember the ingredients used can be used for other cleaning so you will save money all around.
