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Ideas For DIY

Save Big By Making Your Own Laundry Detergent For 1 Cent per load

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Laundry is something that we just have to do.  As much as we may or may not like it, it’s just a task that has to be done.  No matter if it’s just your own clothes to be washed, or if the pile of clothing seems utterly endless, doing the wash is just a regular task.    We have our very own DIY laundry powder recipes here.

laundry

This wonderful recipe is shared with us from the blog Why Not Sew, and tells us just what we need to make our own laundry detergent for only 1 cent per load.  Yes, I typed that right, 1 cent!  She made 2 gallons, which equals out to 576 loads, for only $6.  I’m convinced that I will start making my own detergent.  How about you?

Read the post here: How To Make Homemade Laundry Detergent 

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Comments

  1. I’ve been making my own detergent with this basic recipe for many years – I love the cleaning properties, and will probably never go back to commercial detergent. I used to “cook” it like this, but for the past several years I have streamlined it for myself – it takes a while to get the soap and powders to dissolve when cooking it. I add the grated soap bar (I use Fels Naptha, a laundry soap bar – $1 each), and the one cup each of Borax and washing soda to my blender, and mix to a uniform fine powder. I use about a tablespoon per load. You can also add scent crystals, Oxy Clean boosters, essential oils, etc.
    The 576 loads claim is a bit misleading – at one half cup per load, the 2 gallon recipe will wash 64 loads. If you are figuring that a box of Borax, a box of Washing Soda and 9 bars of soap will make 9 batches, you can come up with a total of 576 loads. This is an older (2011) article, and prices have gone up – Borax and washing soda are $4-$5 per box where I live, and figuring .50 each for 9 bars of soap, the price has gone up a bit, but is still very economical at less than 5 cents a load!
    Good article – I hope more people start making it!

Have you read?

Building with Nature: My Experience with Natural Birdhouses

If you’re someone who enjoys DIY woodworking projects and has a soft spot for garden wildlife, Natural Birdhouses by Maria and Amen Fisher is a must-read. I picked this book up recently and have been completely inspired by the earthy, sustainable approach it offers to building homes for birds, bats, and even beneficial bugs.

What really drew me in was the focus on using found wood and natural materials—think branches, logs, reclaimed boards, and other bits of nature you can often source from your own backyard or a nearby forest. Not only does this make the projects eco-friendly, but it also gives everything a beautiful, rustic feel that blends effortlessly into any garden or backyard setting.

The book includes 25 step-by-step projects, all clearly explained and illustrated, which makes it accessible for both beginner and seasoned crafters. Even if you don’t have a fully-equipped workshop, most of these can be tackled with just a few basic tools and a bit of patience.

I started with a simple birdhouse design, using some weathered fence boards I had stashed in the shed. The instructions were easy to follow, and I was surprised how quickly it came together. Within a couple of days of putting it out in the garden, a curious little sparrow showed up—talk about instant reward! I’ve since bookmarked the bat box project and one of the insect hotel builds for next weekend.

What I really love about this book is that it’s not just about crafting; it’s about encouraging wildlife and creating a more natural, welcoming habitat right in your own yard. It’s a great way to involve kids, too—mine were fascinated by the idea of building a bug hotel and couldn’t wait to help collect materials.

If you’re looking for nature-inspired DIY garden projects that not only look good but also serve a purpose, Natural Birdhouses is full of ideas that check all the boxes. It’s creative, environmentally conscious, and a great way to spend time outdoors while giving something back to the ecosystem.

I’d definitely recommend this to anyone into sustainable gardening, backyard birdwatching, or rustic outdoor décor. Let me know if you give it a try—I’d love to hear what you build!