Cheap & Simple Laundry Alternatives

I have been making my own laundry detergent for over a year now. Not one complaint!! It's SO simple and SO cheap it's almost unbelievable. This is the recipe I use. I usually don't use any measurements, I just eyeball it.

Home Made Powder Laundry Soap
1 Medium Box of Baking Soda1 Box of Washing Soda4 Cups of Borax1 Small Canister of OxiClean (optional)1 Bar of Fels Naptha Grated (or any other bar soap of your choice)

Mix all contents in a container of your choice. I used one from Hobby Lobby. They had 50% off all glass wear!

I use the little blue scoop that comes in the OxiClean canister, but it's roughly 1-2 tablespoons. 

A trick that I learned when grating the bar soap is to leave it out for a few weeks before you grate it; makes it easier! I usually buy 2-3 bars at a time and just keep then unwrapped on top of my refrigerator until I need them.

Before using this soap, I was really nervous. I never used a powdered detergent before; I had to get used to it. There isn't a fragrance, so if you like heavily scented clothing, this might not be for you. I really don't mind now, I hardly even notice. One batch usually lasts me 2-3 months - no joke. I have a 2 year old and a farming husband, so I know I do  A LOT of laundry.

Recently I have been using vinegar in the washing machine as a rinsing agent and fabric softener. I know it doesn't sound like a good idea, but it has worked wonders! I add about 1/2 a cup to the washing machine after it fills up with water for the rinse cycle. If you don't have the time to wait around to hear the rinse cycle you can always use a Downy Ball. 

The biggest fear I had with this was the smell. I didn't want my clothes to smell like vinegar. Guess what. No scent!! I've had to do a second rinse (with water only) on a couple loads to make sure there wasn't a smell. I would suggest using white vinegar, but if you have apple cider vinegar just dilute it before you add it.

 I have read where people use balls of foil to de-static clothes. I haven't tried it yet, but once I buy another roll of foil, it'll be one of the first things I do when I get back from the store, haha. 

Not only are these things easy to use/make, you probably have most of them in the cabinet right now! What are you waiting for? Start living simpler, and become happier!!

Do you have your any of own "simple" recipes for making your own laundry alternatives? If so, let me know!