Does making your own laundry soap save you money?

Linda Lynk

October 17, 20060 found this helpful

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.

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). I took his advise AND have been using just that amount ever since! Our clothes still come out clean, plus I save money on purchasing detergent this way. Only useing 2 tablespoons per load makes a botlle of detergent last, and last and last. Good luck!

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

Mary

October 20, 20060 found this helpful

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?

gbk

February 25, 20090 found this helpful

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..

1stborn

February 16, 20100 found this helpful

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.