How to Prepare Washing Powder

Most grocery stores and drugstores offer a staggering selection of washing powders and washing liquids. However, you can wash your laundry at a fraction of the cost by making washing powder at home. According to the Money Talks News website, consumers can save 90 percent of the cost with homemade detergents. Besides the cost, store-bought brands often contain harsh chemicals and a petrochemical carcinogen called dioxane. With a few simple ingredients, you can make an inexpensive, eco-friendly alternative to store-bought powder detergents.

Cheese grater
Large bowl
Rubber gloves
Plastic container
Mild bar soap (such as Zote, Fels Naptha or Ivory)
Washing soda
Borax
Food processor (optional)
Essential oils (optional)

Instructions

Instructions
- 1
  Use a cheese grater to grate a mild bar soap into a large bowl until you have 2 cups. Use the smallest shred size on the grater.
- 2
  Add 1cup of washing soda and 1 cup of borax to the bowl of grated soap.
- 3
  Put on rubber gloves, and mix the dry ingredients thoroughly by hand.
- 4
  Add ½ tsp. of your favorite essential oil to the mixture if you want to add a scent to your detergent. Stir the ingredients thoroughly again.
- 5
  Run the mixture through a food processor if you would like a finer washing powder. The finer the powder, the faster it will dissolve during washing.
- 6
  Store your homemade washing powder in an airtight plastic container.
- 7
  Add 1 tbsp. of your washing powder to a light load of clothes. Use 2 tbsp. for a larger or more soiled load. Do not be concerned if you don't see lots of suds. Homemade washing powder does not lather up like store-bought brands.

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