Making your own laundry detergent can be a bit of a time investment, but if you're looking to save some money and maybe do a fun project, this could be for you!

Step 1: Get All Your Ingredients and Tools!

To make your own laundry detergent, you'll need to get a couple things together.

Tools:

Grater
Food Processor
Bowl
Storage Container
Measuring Cup

Ingredients:

Bar of fels-naptha
Borax Detergent Booster
Arm-and-Hammer Washing Soda

Optional Ingredients:

Essential oil of choice (I recommend the Purity blend by doTerra)

Step 2: Grate the Fels-naptha

Grate the bar of fels-naptha into a the food processor. You can also use a natural option like the coconut-based bar pictured,

Step 3: Grind the Grated Fels-naptha

Use the food processor to grind the grated bar of fels-naptha into a really fine consistency. It won't quite process into a powder, but it get fine enough to blend well with the other ingredients.

Step 4: Blend in the Rest of the Ingredients

You may have to do this step in parts depending on the size of your food processor. Add a total of 1 cup of Borax and 1 cup of Washing Soda to the grated Fels-naptha.

Step 5: Add Your Essential Oil (optional)

While your mix is still in the food processor, add a few drops of your chosen essential oil and blend well. You may choose to do this in batches as well to make sure it is evenly mixed.

Step 6: Store!

Now that it's all blended, all that's left is to pour it all into your storage container, and start washing! You will use a similar amount to your regular detergent, about a half cup to a whole cup depending on how many clothes you are washing.

All photos by me, Heather Starr.