laundry_mat_2 by gregparis (2006) via morguefile laundry_mat_2 by gregparis (2006) via morguefile

It's a crime how much we spend on laundry detergent. Isn't it? (That's the end of the pun. No more money-laundering associations possible.) A friend shared the other day that she just completed a new batch of DIY laundry detergent that would last her family of four like, eight months! Come again? Eight months?

There's little more painful than going to the grocery store for a quick in-and-out trip and remembering you're almost out of laundry soap. $16.99? Seriously? So when I saw that this concoction was supposedly going to last 2/3 of a year and not cost much more than a single bottle, I was willing to take the bait.

I mentioned it to my mother and she asked if it contained lard. Ah... no. It's not quite THAT DIY.

Here's the "recipe." And before you even ask, it IS safe for HE/front loading washers.

I lived to tell the tale, and wash a load. The only tricky part is the Fels-Naptha. I started out by grating it and then put it in the food processor. It didn't get as fine as shown in the "Happy Money Saver" pics. In fact, I don't know how she got it that fine. When you put it in the processor, even on pulse, the heat causes the Fels to melt enough that it became little balls. I put some of the Gain in and the dryness helped a tad. One trick that will help - cut it into chunks and microwave it. It will become really hard. Then you can work with it more easily. The kids will love watching it puff up in the microwave! I've used this on everything from baby-blow outs to my workout clothes, and I've been pleased. I keep a bottle of "regular" detergent on hand just in case I want to do it the new, old-fashioned way, but I haven't needed it.

Photo copyright 2016 Abby Brundage. All rights reserved. Photo copyright 2016 Abby Brundage. All rights reserved.

Bonus: It only takes 1-2 tablespoons per load, and the Oxi Clean comes with a scooper that is slightly more than a tablespoon. Win!

Double-bonus: All the materials were about $22 at the grocery store, so in my budget's opinion, it was worth testing out.

Happy laundering!

Copyright 2016 Abby Brundage