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Below you will find “recipes” for homemade laundry detergents provided by different Padded Tush Stats readers. Please be aware that some of the contents listed in these recipes could have a negative effect on your diapers or may void diaper warranties. While I personally do not feel like there is sufficient research correlating the use of these chemicals on diapers specifically, please use at your own risk. Pin Stripes and Polka Dots has a GREAT post that talks about many of these ingredients. You may also want to read this caution article from Thirsties.

*** Items are those that may lead to premature wear on diapers, so wash at your own risk!

Although washing with some of these natural chemicals may not be ideal for diapers, many have come to the point that due to their water conditions or budget, it is just something they need to do.

Making your own detergent is one way to both reduce costs and to customize your detergent to meet your particular needs.

35 of the 2,098 survey respondents to the Washing Diapers Survey (still open) indicated that they made their own detergent.

Overall, the satisfaction score for homemade laundry detergent scores higher than the average score for all detergents.

Those who had front loaders, soft water, and normal water all seemed very satisfied with their detergent (much, much more than those using all detergents).

I asked those who were satisfied with their routine to let me know what their recipes were and here were the responses:

Front Loader, Unsure Of Water Type

1 cup borax***

1 cup washing soda

1/2 cup baking soda

1 bar of Ivory or Dr Bronners, finely grated

Use 1-2 tablespoons per load.

Makes 48 cloth diaper loads/24 regular clothes

(this video seems very similar to this recipe)

Estimated Price: Roughly .05 per load

Front Loader, Moderately Hard Water

1 bar fels naptha, grated

1/2 cup washing soda

1/2 cup borax***

Melt grated soap in 2 quarts of water on stove top, stirring to melt.

In 5 gallon bucket, add 2 1/2 gallons of hot tap water and pour hot soapy water into that, stirring well.

While it's still liquid-y I pour that into gallon jugs (I use vinegar jugs).

Leave lid off overnight – the soap will set up a bit like jello.

Use a little less than 1/4 cup per load.

Estimated Price: Makes 3 gallons for $1.50 per gallon

Top Loader, Hard Water

165 ounces washing soda (3 boxes)

96 ounces oxygen bleach***

152 ounces borax *** (2 boxes)

Using 1.5 tablespoons in the prewash and 3 tablespoons in the wash cycle, it would do about 100 loads of diapers.

Use 2 tablespoons in regular laundry loads.

Estimated Price: .31/load (about .15/load for regular laundry)

Top Loader, Moderately Hard Water

1 box washing soda

1 box baking soda

1 box borax***

2 containers of oxygen bleach***

3 bars Dr Bronners bar soap (or Kirks Castile bar soap)

Estimated Price: Roughly .05 per load

Front Loader, Normal Water

1 bar Ivory soap, grated

1 cup borax***

1 cup washing soda

Keep it a powder and use about 1/2 tablespoon.

Front Loader, Normal Water

I use this recipe from the Eco Friendly Family but only use 1/2 tablespoon per wash since I have an HE front loader.

Top Loader, Normal Water

1 part borax***

1 part washing soda

1 part oxygen bleach***

They are all powdered ingredients, so just dump them in a container and stir it up. :)

I usually made it with 2 cups of each, and stored it in a 2 quart Tupperware container.

Use 2-3 tablespoons, depending on load size.

Front Loader, Soft Water

1 bar of non-oil based soap (I use Dove)

2 cups washing soda

2 cups borax***

Microwave the soap for about 1 minute.

Put that in a blender with the washing soda and borax.

Blend it and let it cool. Viola!

Makes about 75 loads.

I just want to say a special “Thank You” to all who contributed to this article!

Do you make your own detergent? If so, please share below! Please also fill out this survey on whatever detergent you use. If you got your “recipe” from somewhere, please link up!