Economical Laundry Detergent, The Powder Version!!!

So after I posted my last blog about Economical Laundry Detergent I had several mommies asking about a powdered version. Personally I do not use powdered laundry soap very often but was forced to make some when my husband told me he was going TDY (government/military terminology for going out of town for work..lol) for 2 weeks and needed to take laundry detergent. As we all know, taking liquids through the airport is one of the worst headaches you will ever get, so I decided that this was the perfect opportunity to try the powdered detergent! Below is the recipe I used. The powdered version does not save you as much money as the liquid version, but it is quicker to make. This recipe is for top load washing machines.

Ingredients:

1 Fels-Naptha Bar
1 Cup Borax
1 Cup Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda*
1 Food Processor (for powdering your Fels-Naptha Bar)

You will need a high powered Food Processor with the cheese grater attachment and the regular double blade processor attachment.

Take your Fels-Naptha bar and put it through your food processor using the cheese grater attachment.

Put you Fels-Naptha bar in a bowl and set aside. Place your double food processor blade into your food processor.

Add your Fels-Naptha bar (grated in the bowl you set aside earlier) and turn your food processor on for 30 seconds. this will turn the Fels-Naptha bar into powder.

Add the borax and the Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda to the food processor.

Turn your food processor on for another 30 seconds. This will combine all of the ingredients.

To store your powdered detergent, place it in an air tight Rubbermaid container. When using this detergent, add 1 Tablespoon for light loads and 2-4 Tablespoons for heavily soiled loads. I have used this detergent in a load of cloth diapers. I will admit that I like the liquid version better, but this would be great for traveling. It gets the job done, but when I am at home I prefer using a liquid detergent for the cloth diapers.

Happy Soap Making!!!

~Rachelle