Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent with the Power of TIDE!
I have been making my own homemade liquid laundry detergent for some time now, and I’m hooked. I absolutely love the stuff! The thing that I love the very most is the huge amount of money that it saves me. I can make 5 gallons of the homemade version for less than $2. Try finding that kind of deal in your local grocery store!
My original recipe has gotten a ton of response from ya’ll, and you seem to love it as much as I do. However, there are those out there that won’t even try it because they have a love affair with Tide, my mother included. So, I had to try to make a version of homemade detergent for all the Tide-snobs out there.
This version is pretty much the same as my original version – just with an added boost of Tide. Yes, it does cost a little bit more to make – but compared to the price of buying straight Tide, it’s a huge money saver. I recommend watching the sales & pairing it with a coupon, if available, to boost those savings a little more. I can usually get a 75 fl. oz. bottle for $7 when I do this.
I buy my ingredients at WalMart, which I’ve found to be the cheapest place to buy them at. Let me break down my costs for you.
- Borax – $2.99
- Washing Soda – $2.99
- Fels Naptha Soap – $0.97
- 75oz bottle of Tide – $7.00 (I used a coupon for this price, so watch those coupons for the best deals)
And, since you only need one cup of both the borax & washing soda, your costs are actually cheaper than that since one box will last for several batches.
This is safe for regular washers AND HE washers! Just make sure you purchase the HE version of Tide for the HE washing machines.
It’s so simple to put this together… Let me show you how!
Here’s what you will need:
First thing to do is to shred up 1 bar of Fels Naptha soap with a cheese grater. You can also use Zote or pure castile soap if you want.
Add the shredded soap to a pot along with 4 cups of water.
Heat on medium/high heat, stirring occasionally, until it is completely melted.
Meanwhile, measure out 1 cup of both the Borax & Super Washing Soda.
Fill up a 5 gallon bucket halfway with hot water. Pour the melted soap/water mixture into the bucket & stir. Then add in the borax & washing soda. Stir again. If you want any added scent power, then you can mix in several drops of your favorite essential oil. No exact amount, I just keep adding drops until I feel satisfied with the scent. My favorite scents for homemade detergent are orange & lavender.
Add more hot water, filling up the bucket to a little more than 3/4 of the way full. Put a lid on it, and let it sit for 24 hours to gel. Now, it will not gel the same way as your typical storebought detergent.
**It will be more of a egg noodle soup consistency…a little watery with gel-glops throughout. This is how it should look!!**
Now, if you let it sit for longer than 24 hours, it will gel into a jell-o like consistency. If this happens, don’t worry – just mix it up really well to break it up. I’ve heard from a reader that she actually lets hers sit for that long on purpose, and then mixes it up with her immersion blender – and she said that the consistency is much smoother like this, more comparable to what you see in store-bought detergent. I don’t have an immersion blender, so I haven’t tried this yet – but if one of you do try it, let me know how it works for you! Whichever way you do it though, the cleaning power is the same!
Now, its time to add in the Tide.
Pour in the whole container & give it a good stirring to mix it up.
That’s it – you’re done!
Now, you can leave it in the bucket – or you can divide it into empty containers of your choice. I usually make a couple of batches at once, and I’ll fill up 2-3 empty laundry containers, and store the buckets elsewhere… refilling the containers as needed.
Use 1/2 cup for a regular large load.
So, there you have it! I hope you all love this version as much as I do!!
If you don’t care whether you have Tide in your detergent, you can also check out the original version here.
Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent with the Power of Tide!
Ingredients
- 1 cup of borax
- 1 cup of super washing soda
- 1 bar of Fels Naptha soap shredded
- 1 75 fl oz bottle of Tide
- water
- 5 gallon bucket with lid
- essential oil of your choice optional
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, mix together the shredded Fels Naptha soap with 4 cups of water. Heat on medium/high, stirring occasionally, until melted. Fill up a 5 gallon bucket halfway with hot water. Pour in the melted soap/water mixture. Stir. Then stir in 1 cup of borax & 1 cup of washing soda. Stir in the essential oil, if using. Add more hot water, filling up the bucket a little more than 3/4 of the way full. Put the lid on it, and let it sit for 24 hours. Then, stir in the bottle of Tide. Add 1/2 cup for regular large loads.
I like to let mine set longer also. Besides the preferred consistency, it makes the house smell wonderful. I use a paint stirring “bit” that attaches to a drill to mix it up and it works really well.
I put oxi-clean (from the dollar tree) and some unstoppables in mine. Smells great and cleans better.
Do the Unstoppables “melt” into the soap? Or is it “bumpy” Just trying to determine if I could still pump it out with them in it.
Thanks!
I just don’t get the Tide thing it makes me itch so bad its crazy, and it makes my 6 yo itch, wonder what is in Tide that does that, since no other detergent does! I have to try your original thou, where are you getting fels naptha so cheap, I haven’t seen it under $2.99
I get mine at my local WalMart for $0.97 🙂
u can also use zote or ocatgon they both work well and are found in the laundry isle or sometimes soap isle
Bought “Fels ” @Walmart for .98 & you could substitute ” zote ” soap , larger bar for .98 also .
Im making this detergent right now. Thank you for the recipe. How long can this be stored? I’m only one individual.
You have made me so proud of myself today. ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????LMBO!!!Yhank You!
Tide makes me itch too!
Just double rinse that what I used to do until I got used to it. Hope that helps
I thought I was the only person in the world that itches from tide!
I know many people who can’t use Tide, including me! But I had used Tide for many years until sometime in the 80’s and I and several people I knew had to stop immediately! Apparently, they changed something.
I LOVE THIS SOAP, and I love the idea of adding Tide. I ONLY USE TIDE FREE AND CLEAR. CLEANS GREAT TOO.
Use arm and hammer with coo liquid instead. I have super sensitive skin this is all I use. Cheap.
I love Tide, Don’t love the price. I make my own detergent, sometimes, but I never feel like it cleans as well as the Tide does, especially grease. And, I hate using bleach, but I seem to have to in order to make the whites white after a few loads of homemade detergent. I think I will try this variation when I am done with this last batch I made using the original recipe. Maybe it will be the middle ground of cost savings and effectiveness I want and need!
I found a recipe that uses Dawn dish soap instead of Nafta. That may work well for greasy laundry.
They say it works great with front loaders. Also, I add about half a cup of Oxiclean to the original recipe.
We have been using the original version of your laundry detergent in our new HE washer and we love it. This new recipe sounds even better. Do you think adding the Tide to the pre-wash dispenser would have the same result as mixing it with the rest of the ingredients ? Thanks!
I feel sure that it would – I’m just not sure of what that measurement would be.
I made mine today and it wad pretty watery. I even used a 3 1/2 gallon bucket. I dont know what i did wrong.
When you add the Tide, it does make it a little more watery. Something about then together that just makes them a little less ‘gelly’. However, the consistency has nothing to do with the cleaning power of it. Next time, try leaving the mixture before adding the Tide to sit for longer, around 48 hours – and then stir it up really good (or use an immersion blender for a smoother mix). Then, stir in the Tide.
I use Purex..could this still work using Purex instead of Tide?
Sure! You could use the Purex if that’s what you like! You can also refer to the links in the post that go to the original recipe, which is the exact same – just doesn’t add any extra detergent.
I made mine yesterday. Only used 4 gallons of water so that it is super concentrated Smells fantastic and I have my first load in the washer as I type! Thanks for the recipe. .08 a load!!!!
Pingback: Homemade Recipes | All Kinds of Things Blog
I used to make my own laundry detergent, but was not happy with the results. Your recipe kicks the cleaning power up a notch. With the economy the way it is we have been cutting back everywhere we can think of. Now we can conquer laundry expense. Thanks for your wonderful information. I can’t wait to try it.
If you don’t have any tide on hand could you simply add it later????
You could, or you could just omit it all together & make my original laundry detergent (which is the same thing, just without the tide) https://www.mrshappyhomemaker.com/2012/09/homemade-liquid-laundry-detergent-plus-a-free-printable-label/
I had to snicker a little when I read this I use tide powder with mine.I make everything the same but when I turn the heat off let it stop boiling I add one cup of powdered tide. To me it gives it that little added Boston….ow and I make the same batch but a change the bar of soup to Lava
boston and soup… really
I am just curious to where you live because the prices of this stuff is WAY different than what I can find. Your are much cheaper
I get mine at WalMart!
Oh yes, russets are just fine!
Walmart .97 in Fll
Dollar general and sometimes Dollar Tree stores are even cheaper! But in a pinch I’ll use WalMart too! lolol
I really want to try this, but I’m allergic to the dyes and the scents. Normally I use All Free and Clear. Are there any suggestions to making it so I can avoid that?
I would make the original version of this recipe, and use castile soap if I were you. https://www.mrshappyhomemaker.com/2012/09/homemade-liquid-laundry-detergent-plus-a-free-printable-label/
I have used the recipe (without Tide) for years. The last batch I made was with liquid castle and I love it. Cleaner and fresher. No tide here I don’t like the chemicals.
Just double rinse and that should help
I just moved into a house where the washer is either dying or just set up weird. long story short, I have to use it on cold/cold. would the globs break up with the cold water or would I end up with globs at the end of the wash cycle?
Yes, it definitely will. I only wash on cold to save on energy, and have no issues at all.
I came over here from the ‘original’ recipe out of PURE curiosity…actually hoping for a ‘like’ tide recipe LOL Am still Impressed!
But I saw your question and HAD to tell you that YES the original recipe works WONDERFULLY in my washer and I ONLY use cold wash and rinse…there have NEVER been any globs or left over skunky gunk after using this detergent recipe (I only came back because I need to make more! lol)
Also, my family is HIGHLY allergic to just about every commercial brand of detergent…and this REALLY really gets their clothes clean-even in COLD water! That is laundry for 5 sons 4 of whom are teenagers and my hubby who works maintenance… And also gets the dogs beds clean! I cannot stress how much I LOVE the original recipe! This one adding tide- I can’t use *pouts* because of the allergy thing but I am pretty certain that the consistency adding the tide creates will make it even better in a cold wash and/or rinse cycles…
if I could use it I would! I love saving the money and making my own, something therapeutic about it LOL I see nothing wrong in simply stretching a normally expensive detergent in phenomenal proportions…
If you added an oxi boost to it, it would gove the same power booster to the soap that tide itself gives. Can be added straight into the wash when you add your soap. Don’t know if there is a sensitivity to this or not though?
I made this recently…just as good as Tide. I let mine set for almost 36 hours, took the lid off & it resembled coconut-colored jello. My husband gave me a small paint paddle that hooked to his drill. 🙂 It mixed up very well, then I added the Tide detergent, mixed again & poured into my empty containers. Loving it! My husband was impressed & he is even more skeptical than me!
Does it stay blended, or does it separate between loads. Only reason I was making powdered version, is I felt like I wasn’t getting a proper mix.
Oh my gosh, I just love this!! I am telling all my friends about it. Is it sad that all of my excitement yesterday was about waking up and getting to try out my laundry detergant??? Lol! Thank you so much for sharing 🙂
haha, I love that!! Thanks for taking the time to come back & share – and for telling your friends!!
Pingback: Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent, Less than $2 for 5 Gallons!
How is this home made if you are using a whole bottle of store bought tide? In that case why not just use tide alone? I’m just wondering. The whole point of home made is to avoid store bought like tide right?
This recipe is a different spin on my completely homemade version. I have a lot of readers who are devout Tide fans and wanted to either make their Tide money stretch further – OR- add an extra boost of cleaning power to their homemade detergent. You can find the original completely homemade version at this link: https://www.mrshappyhomemaker.com/2012/09/homemade-liquid-laundry-detergent-plus-a-free-printable-label/
I have never tried this and I am not opposed to trying it, but in the pictures above, the liquid/mix looks rather lumpy… will this clog up in the He washing machines?
I’ve hunted for Washing soda in every single store in my area, but apparently it just isn’t available in Canada… neither is that bar soap stuff. So I go to Canadian Tire and buy a brand they have there called Old Dutch, and it is REALLY good! And cheap — it’s often on sale for $3 for a 75-use bottle! I pair it with a good fabric softener (the concentrates don’t take much, only about 1 TBSP for an HE load) so it will smell fresh for a long time in the closet or drawers.
Everyone with HE machines — MAKE SURE you yank the front off (or use the little door at the bottom /side of the front if it has one) and pull apart the PUMP FILTER & clean it out!!
I was about to go buy a refurbished old-style washer because my machine didn’t have any instruction how to get at that filter — I was going to have to call for a repairman to come (for $125 just for the service call, then bill in 15-minute increments) to fix it. Some machines don’t say anything in the manual nor do you even know this little thing exists! Mine is a GE and the only mention is in Troubleshooting under “washer won’t drain” that the pump filter is clogged — but not one word as to how to get to the pump filter! I was devastated that my washer only lasted about a year, and had been hand-washing & doing the laundromat thing. I finally decided that “broken is broken, it can’t get any worse” and got down on the floor with a screwdriver & pilled out the bottom panel — sure enough, that pump filter was SO clogged it was tightly-packed with various fibres, my hair and my daughter’s hair (she & I both have long hair) cat fur, lint from all our fuzzy blankets & afghans, bit from a paper towel that must have been in our pockets– it was so packed it was like someone shoved a whole facecloth in there!
And since I cleaned out that filter (It’s about the size of a small frozen-juice can), the spin cycle REALLY sucks the water out AND the clothes really feel clean now. AND added bonus, all those things on the shelves to clean out the funky HE washer smell — you don’t need them! They are on the market because it’s actually the filter & gunk that starts smelling funky! There are some videos now on youtube showing various machines & how to clean that part out, I highly advise everyone who has an HE machine go right now & clean that thing — I’m sure many people have bought new machines or had repairmen in to “fix” their broken non-draining washer! (probably laughing all the way to the bank!)
Sorry, I didn’t mean to “blog” in your comments! I just don’t want anyone else in the same situation I was in with the HE machine!
I thought your helpful information was Awesomely Wonderful! And you have a kind heart! You found a solution to normally high priced dilemma and shared it with others. I don’t have an HE machine…but if ever I DO get one? I’ll know to keep that in mind! 😀 And like you, I tend to share when I figure out neat stuff too that might help others!
Aww, shucks… thank you for your kind words. I just don’t want someone else in the position of basically losing their laundry or having to spend a fortune fixing it, because repairmen are really expensive. I’m a widowed single mom, I got laid off, then sick, so I’ve got to look at everything I spend.
I’m going to look around for the washing soda again, as another Canadian commented that she gets it no problem. Thank you for your reply, I haven’t had a chance to noodle around your blog in a while, so off I go! 🙂
I’m not sure where you are in Canada but I have no problem finding Washing Soda. I currently live in Windsor Ontario (though have lived in Trenton and Toronto as well) and have definitely purchased it at Metro, Zehrs, Sobeys and various department stores like Zellers.
I’m near Edmonton — I’ve looked in Superstore, WalMart, Zellers (when we had it, it’s a Target now)… I’ve seen powdered Arm & Hammer Laundry Detergent, but not “Washing Soda”.
I bought Old Dutch liquid from Canadian Tire, it’s often on sale for abotu $2/bottle for the small & $4 for the large … it’s really good! I will add about 1 big capful of Tide to it that I had leftover from before it was for HE Machines — yeah it’s old but it still works, I don’t want to waste it 🙂 — and I find it works nicely.
I just made my first batch of laundry soap! I can’t believe how cheap it is! Thank you and my house smells really good after melting the soap!
Hi! I just made my detergent! 🙂 Except I didn’t use Tide, I added a different brand. Does that matter? I made homemade detergent before, but completely messed it up, so I made the powder. I’m out of that and discovered your Tide recipe! I can honestly say that I’m excited to start my laundry!
This is pretty hilarious, for something that is supposed to be an environmentally friendly alternative to laundry soap. You’re using an entire bottle of Tide? And shopping at Walmart?
Not reading anywhere about it being environmentally friendly alternative. I’m thinking its all about save a a$$ load of money(which is does).
I’m super stoked about trying this. Mine main complaint with homemade detergent is that there isn’t much of a scent to it. I’m glad I found this recipe. I’ve got my mixture sitting and I have my drill stir drill bit ready!
Don’t be afraid of oil spots! I have been making this for a LONG time! 😀 And I have a mostly male family …sighs… so I use empty gallon sized milk jugs and create fragrances according to their likes and then I make MINE MINE MINE! Lol all lovely and mine…I don’t go for the lavender as much by itself, but have combined it with sandalwood? Lovely! And no oil spots on anything ever! And that is with me using cold water to both wash my clothes and to rinse.
Pingback: Frugal Friday – Household Edition | Kathryn Tall & Strong
I love this post and have had it saved on Pinterest for a while now. I’ve just referenced this post and your blog in my blog today and wanted to let you know! Thanks for the amazing information!
http://kathryntallandstrong.com/2013/07/19/frugal-friday-household-edition/
Thanks so much! 🙂
What else could I use for smell, sorry I don’t care for essential oils.
I’ve heard of other people mixing in the Purex scent crystals with great results for scent!
I use scented Tide. We don’t care for essential oils. I am fixing to make a new batch using Mountain Spring® Tide®. Hubby & I love the scent. Also, this is my 2nd batch in 3 months because we gave out most of our first one to family & friends…lol. Now, they are wanting to know how to make it.
I tell them to look on my Pinterest page for “cleaning solutions”.
I use a lavender scented pure castle soap. which works great for adding scent. Castle soap also comes in other scents such as peppermint, and tea tree.
I misread the directions and added the tide at the same time:-/
Will this mess it up?
It won’t mess it up as far as cleaning power goes – it just won’t thicken up is all. Use it all up! 🙂
I accidently put the tide n at the same time as the other ingredients.
Is this going to ruin it?
I just finished my first batch ever and following the recipe to the T made it turn out just like the photo. Smells wonderful with no scents added just the tide. First load of laundry with the new soap is in now heres hoping it works well. Thanks for sharing this gotta say way way cheaper than my tide pods 72 count at 18 dollars and I use two a month with a family of 5 and thats only if I dont wash everyday.
Pingback: How I save Money Part 1 | Adventures in Mindful CookingAdventures in Mindful Cooking
I’ve actually NEVER added Tide or other detergent to mine (makes it less than $10 a year) and works great! Even on tough stains (3 kids and a mechanic husband)
Yes, I have a recipe on here (link in this post) that is done without the Tide, and it works great! There are those out there who really love the added Tide though, which is why I created this version 🙂
I love it w the tide. I am glad you added the recipe that includes the tide 🙂
yes why the addition of tide..it seems counterproductive.
The addition of Tide is just for the Tide lovers out there. You can find the original non-Tide version also on my blog at this link: https://www.mrshappyhomemaker.com/2012/09/homemade-liquid-laundry-detergent-plus-a-free-printable-label/
OK, I could not wait 24 hours to try this. Patience is not what I am known for. So, I tried a half a cup on some whites including my husband’s work shirts. Since there is a colorful logo on the shirts, I stay away from bleach. Long story short, those whites glisten. This stuff is better than any detergent I have used in the past.
The only difference between my batch and the site’s recipe is that I could not find a 75 ounce bottle of Tide and used the 100 ounce bottle. I also used the Tide Free and Clear.
This is a bit labor intensive with the stirring, measuring, and pouring, not to mention making sure the Naptha did not boil over but well worth the effort.
I love the results of the original version. Have used it for some years now. Will try this one out soon.
Question: Do you think I could get the same results without cooking/melting it? Just by mixing the dry borax, washing soda, grated soap & powdered tide in a container and letting it dissolve in the wash?
Yes alot of people just mix all the powders and soap together and use as a powder detergent. Without all the water you actually only need about a tablespoon per load
Can I add oxi clean to mixture ?
I have made this 2x now. love it! i also add fabric softener. And, we use a big bowl, pour it in, mix it with handheld mixer. kinda messy, but i like it smooth.
It is not about environmentally friendly – it is about making my Tide go further. I was VERY skeptical—but i am a convert! thankyou!!
I’m so glad you are loving it – and the addition of the fabric softener is a great idea, thanks for sharing!
Is this safe to use in HE washing machines? I know there is special soap in the stores for them and would like to try a homemade version, but my machines are fairly new and I am afraid to mess them up. It was a crazy good deal that allowed me to get my new washer and dryer so I can’t really afford to mess them up.
Yes, it is HE safe! It’s low sudsing, so it’s perfect 🙂
Hey it says to use the laundry bar or Castille Soap…can I use liquid Castille soap??
I’ve been making this using gain and love it, I’m going out to buy a new washer and most are now HE models so i had to come back to see if there was any mention of this being HE detergent and I’m so glad that it is, i was concerned because we wash with cold water mostly or warm and with getting a new washer i too can’t afford to mess it up, i can’t afford the new washer but i also can’t go to the laundry mat forever
Rather than an immersion blender, what I would suggest is a 5-gallon bucket paint mixer. http://goo.gl/io6rVW Attach it to a drill and mix away. Less than $10 at the hardware stores and use it for everything.
Great idea! 🙂
Yes, you certainly can! They’re natural ingredients, so there are no issues with that.
Hi! I love this recipe and have used it several times! Cleans AMAZINGLY WELL!! I have one question…. can I use a different detergent, say Gain? I happened to have a coupon and got it for a great price. Thoughts?
i use gain because i like it better than tide
Hi! I LOVE this recipe and it works GREAT!! I’ve used it several times. One question….can I use Gain instead of Tide? I had a coupon and got Gain for a great price. Thoughts?
Yes, you sure can!
I use my kitchen blender to mix it. It takes a extra time cuz loudly too gave to do it in small batches but it’s with it cuz I hate the gel clumps. Also if people are doing the for environmental purposes the Tide is counter-productive. But if people are doing it just to stretch their dollar, like me, this is a good idea. My kid hates my homemade detergent and have thought of doing this myself with Mt next batch
Whats the prettiest way to store this? my first thought was in like a Sweet Tea dispenser ( ya know, one of the glass ones with the pour spout on the bottom ) do you think that would work?
I like that
How do I get it thicker? Mine is sooo watery. I followed this recipe exactly. Any suggestions? Thanx! 🙂
You can allow it to sit longer if you haven’t already stirred it up. It should be somewhat watery though – sort of like the texture of egg noodle soup. We use an immersion blender on ours, and it blends the gloppy gel into the watery parts and makes it a smooth consistency. Also, the humidity this time of year can make a difference in the texture. However, no matter the texture of it – it will work the exact same!
I usually make this version but without the Tide. I decided to try it for extra stain removing power. The tide I bought it HE for my HE washer. However, we used a paint mixer attached on the end of a drill to mix and noticed it got very foamy. I let it sit overnight so the suds calmed down and when I transferred it to milk jugs today it’s suds right up again. I’m worried about using it in my HE washer. Has anyone else had this problem? I can’t figure out why its so sudsy and don’t want it to wreck my washer. Ideas?
It’s perfectly safe to use in your HE washer, it will not suds up while washing your clothes!
OK, I’m going to first go with this recipe instead of your original. I love me some Tide! 🙂 I can’t wait to do this. It’s sooooo much more cost effective! If all goes well, I’ll try it later with Gain which I love to use for my towels, sheets, etc.
Question: is your original recipe better suited for sensitive skin? I’m thinking maybe I should still make a smaller batch of your original recipe for certain items (like tank tops, undergarments, etc.) which can irritate the skin when using certain detergents.
Made my first original recipe , after I was reading comments . When do you add the crystals to it ? Do you add it to the 5 gallon bucket or just when adding it to the machine by itself? Or….. add it when melting the shredded bar soap ? Thank -you ! I usually make a 5 gallon bucket of the dry laundry detergent . Thanks for your help ! ☺️❤️
Pingback: Networked Learning Project, Week 1 | Mrs. Scott's Thoughts
I agree with the majority of the points in this article and
it’s great without any doubt and you can
also find this on “Sons Laundry and Dry Cleaning
Services” they have latest technology to give you better services. (http://24hourlaundromatanddrycleaners.com/),
Just have a look!!!
Anyone else have anything better?
I’m curious what did adding tide do?
Just finished my first batch and WOW it smells so good, started my first load can’t wait to see the outcome. I did choose to wait 48 hrs, but at that point just mixed with my hands.
Do you have a proven stain remover recipe?
I’m working on it!! 🙂
Dawn dishwashing soap works wonder on most stains but is used as a spot stain remover before adding to the washer.
Does adding tide or gain add to the scent
i make a $40 powder detergent that has NO scent and I’ve added pyrex crystals and essential oil and still no fresh clean scent, i LOVE the cost of this so much cheaper you’d think 5 gallons would last a year but only a few month when you have to use so much. well about 6-7 months – anyway does this have a scent from the tide or gain?
I just made it yesterday and it smells just like tide. My entire kitchen smells like tide.
i make this all the time i made other put i like this best. my daughter use it to shampoo her carpet . take out stains also
Pingback: Homemade TIDE Laundry Detergent | One Year of Simplicity
I have been making my own detergent for the past few years, it cleans awesome and is safe for my 3 year old and now 7 month old. The problem I’m running into now is that it’s not getting the formula & spit up smell in my sons clothes. I have tried changing the recipe and adding more baking soda or vinegar to eliminate the smell and it didn’t work. When I came across this on pinterest I thought wow this is a great idea! I bought all free and clear and by itself it still doesn’t seem to get the smell completly out. I have liquid castiel soap how would I substitute it in this recipe?
Buy some generic “oxy-clean” from Dollar Tree, called “Awesome Oxygen”. Add a couple tablespoons to your next load of baby clothes, and see if that works. If you like it, add 16 ounces to your recipe. Also, I do agree.about buying Purex Crystals, but what I’d do is just use them on the clothes you’re having a difficult time covering up smells with.
Honestly, I’d do both the Awesome Oxygen and the Purex Crystals.
Thank you so much, I’ll look for both the next time I go out.
Adding a little extra essential oils to your mix can help. You can substitute the shredded soap for the castile soap.
I have been using this recipe about 2 years! I love it. I store mine in one of those 5 gallon gatorade containers with the spout. Works great!
I make this recipe and do not add all the liquid at the end. It sets up thicker and I too use my immersion blender to get a silky smooth product. I don’t have the room to store the full version and compensate by using less in the wash since the recipe is concentrated. I have an HE machine and should use less anyway. Sometimes I use a gallon of vinegar with the extra water after melting the bar and adding the powders to aid with my hard well water.
Great tips – thank you! 🙂
compared
to a gym membership but it is SO worth it. It’s like you get a personal trainer
and a fun time. Sometimes the gym can feel like a chore but going to I Love
Kickboxing makes you feel like you are goingcoin laundromats in Toronto
I made my second batch of this yesterday. I love it and I give it by the jugfull to my relatives who work and don’t have the extra time. My husband and I are retired so I’m all about saving money but it cleans really well and I love being able to help the family.
This is wonderful to hear!! 🙂
I used my husbands drill and concrete mixer attachment to mix this after the 24 hr waiting period. I added the tide while i was mixing. It worked perfectly, none of that globby stuff. It is a little thinner than traditional store purchased laundy soap but i am very happy with it!!
Awesome! I have been using the Duggar homemade version sans commercial detergent and it just does not clean some of our laundry (work & sports clothes especially). Maybe it is our hard water? This is EXACTLY what I was looking for… a super combo and still save money.
Do you dilute the final stage with water or just use full concentrated? The original Duggar recipe will dilute again AFTER the 5 gallon bucket is filled and gelled overnight. Just checking what you do.
HELP!!!! I made this for the first time yesterday and between making it and tending to sick children I added the tide BEFORE I let the mixture gel for 24 hours. It’s been 27 hours I just opened my bucket and it didn’t gel at all. I’m assuming it will still clean just be watery. Did I ruin the batch or it is ok?
Don’t even bother with the tide, that’s just adding poisons back into a healthier soap.
Ok I decided to try this to ease into using homemade detergent and I have to say it seems amazing so far (only been using a wk) . My husband had a wk old gymbag hid in his car *yuck* and it took that disgusting smell out and everything ! Totally converting
So does this smell like tide? I’ve made the homemade version before but don’t love the smell. I usually end up buying tide for the wonderful scent, but if this has the same scent at a fraction of the cost, I’d be a convert for life!
Yes, it does smell like Tide 🙂
Go to your local hardware store and buy a drill powered paint stirrer and mix your detergent with that !! Amazing results if you do it for a couple minutes.
So the tide version…………how long will this last? or how often are you buying ingredients?
For a family of 5, a batch of 5 gallons lasts me about 2 months. However, I only have to buy the ingredients about once every 6 months.
First of all, your original version is a soap, NOT a detergent. Second, why on earth would you destroy a safe laundry soap by adding the carcinogenic toxins of Tide? So disappointing to see.
I made this for my mom, sister and best friend for mothers day. Im making a batch for myself today and im going to add oxy clean to it as well (lots of dogs and the dirt they bring in) Im also adding honeysuckle oil for scent.
Pingback: Making Laundry Soap is Awesomeeeeeeee! Everything is cool when your part of the team. | Nikkilett
Pingback: 16 Everyday Products You Can Make Instead of Buying -
I will try this tide to extra time. Originally how fast and clean cloths this tide.
Pingback: Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent
Since the ingredients are 1 cup of each I assume the water is the 5 gallons yes?
I saw an informal study that concluded straight Tide had better cleaning power than the strictly homemade. So it’s very clever of you to add Tide to the homemade; I just made my first batch. I found that by adding the Tide after 24 hours and using the immersion blender, it completely eliminated the clumps.
Hello
Although this post was from 4 years ago, I’m just seeing it now. I’m new to the DIY trend. I just made this soap about an hour ago…thank you so much for sharing. I used Sunlight washing soap bar instead of Fels. I also added Oxyclean and used Orange Essential oil…Cedarwood Essential oil and a bit of Tea tree oil. Anxious to see the results tomorrow. It does smell great though. I’m in Hamilton Ontario.
I too started making my own about 5 yrs ago and have learned a few things along the wat! First. Make completly sure the soa is desolved. add to hot water in the bucket! 2.Make compley sure the Borax and Washing Soad are disolved then add to bucket! Stir till completly mixed throughly!
I like orange and cinnimon oil! 3. 1/2 to 1 c more if clothers are really dirty. i have put it on stains. In the past year and a half I have bought soap twice and still have enough borax and soda for two maybe three batches. So…buying more soap… I will make 30 gal for around $13! Wow!
It is for people who want to save some money but will only use Tide.
Hello, I love love love this Tide recipe!!! I have been making it for about a year I think. It works great, better than any other detergent I have tried. I have a question, I live in a small town, the water has failed health inspections for the last several years. It has a high iron content. Which means if you add Bleach to your whites, they will come out brown, like you drug them through muddy lake water. And, it will not come out, ever. So, we have been told by the city to add a product called, Iron Out, which removes the iron and your clothes are about fifty percent briter, Now they are never white as they should be, but, is it safe to add the Iron Out to the Tide, even if I add oxiclean to the tide recipe?
Does it have to sit for 24 hours?
Yes, for best results.
Can you use the liquid castile soap and skip the grating and boiling process?
I’ve never tried it, but I’ve heard others have done this with success.
you have to use laundry detergent to make laundry detergent?
No LOL This was a special request from a reader of mine some time ago that I did. You can find my homemade laundry detergent here: https://www.mrshappyhomemaker.com/homemade-liquid-laundry-detergent-plus-a-free-printable-label/
Just made this past weekend, I used gain instead of tide for the smell. How do you wash away the soap smell from the pan used to melt the soap afterwards?
I’m excited 😁 I just finished making my first two 5 gallon buckets of detergent. I have really high hopes considering doing laundry for 6 gets really expensive. Mine looks a bit watery at the moment, I only added 3 gallons of water and the 4 cups from melting the soap so I’m hoping it thickens up. We have a paint stirer so I will be waiting 24 to 48 hours and stiring to see the outcome… I can’t hardly wait, I wanted to do a load of laundry just to see how well it works.. STOKEDDDD
Pingback: Can You Use Dish Soap To Wash Golf Clubs – The Annika Academy
I really like using the homemade version of detergent, similar to yours. My problem is that I can’t get some things as clean as I would like, so I’m going to try this recipe! Thanks. How much OxyClean would I need to add to this recipe?
Pingback: Top 14 how to make laundry pods – hkfindall.com
This recipe is super easy to make and smells wonderful. My clothes come out so clean and fresh. I have no issues using with cold water. I’m looking for ways to save money and this is a fantastic way to do that. We are also using one of those solar/wind power dryers, aka clothes line. Bonus! Even more savings. I’m getting ready to make my second batch now. I opted to omit the essential oils as the Tide already has a strong scent as does the other 3 ingredients. Didn’t really see the need to pour $$ scented oils into my already 4x scented detergent and risk possibly staining my clothes.