Homemade Powdered Laundry Detergent with Scent Crystals

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So I bought some Zote Laundry Soap a couple weeks ago and have been waiting to make some powdered detergent till my Whipped Detergent was gone. I  used the Fels-Naptha Soap in my Liquid & Whipped Laundry Detergents, and that does smell good, and works really well too,  but after the clothes are washed and dried they don't have a scent. I like a good smelling shirt. :) That's why I made the Dryer Sheets , but I wanted to try the scent crystals in the Powdered Detergent. I used the Blue Bottle which is "Fresh Spring Waters" I would like to try the  Lavender Blossom but my hubby needs to smell that one first to see if its okay by him! Wouldn't that be so pretty though? Pink, Purple, & White!!! Even the Purex Crystals for Baby smells good...

Here is what you need:

2 Bars of Zote, or Fels-Naptha (You can use any bar soap you like, I've seen some recipes  with Dove, Ivory etc. (but I wouldn't use any that had oils in them, just my opinion)
2 Cups of Borax
2 Cups of Super Washing Soda
1 1/2 Cups of Purex Scent Crystals (you can use more or less to your liking) Updated  6/29/13 (see Edit below) I used my Gain Scent Crystals...I used the whole bottle. :)
1 Cup of Baking Soda (optional) (I didn't add this in, but have seen it added to other recipes)

I cut my Zote with a knife (its kinda soft-ish) into small cubes and put it into my little food processor  along with some of the borax or washing soda so it wouldn't stick to the blades so much.  I just did a little at a time so as not to burn up the motor. I also put the scent crystals in the processor too, it kinda chopped those up as well. If you don't have a food processor you can put your bars of soap in the freezer and use a small grater. Freezing the soap makes the grating a little easier and makes it into smaller flakes.

You only need 1 or 2 Tablespoons Per load! If its a really dirty load, you probably want to use 2. This detergent dissolves in cold water just fine. Its safe in HE machines, as this doesnt suds up at all, so don't add more thinking you'll get suds ;)

Edit 6-29-2013
I made a new batch with the Gain Scent Crystals ♥♥ Love the smell!! I missed my Gain....

Homemade Laundry Detergent with Gain Scent Crystals

Homemade Laundry Detergent with Gain Scent Crystals

Homemade Laundry Detergent with Gain Scent Crystals

Happy Laundry Day! I just know you love doing Laundry!  ツ  

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent & Vinegar Rinsing Aid

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I  have been wanting to make this for awhile but I waited until my store bought detergent was gone, and I did a lot of research on it first!  Well yesterday I went and purchase everything that I needed, I used the last of my Cascade. (finally) ;)
I always like to save money anywhere I can, and this seems like one way to do it... I do a load of dishes probably every other day, maybe every three days, this homemade dishwasher detergent will last forever!! And the cost savings is going to be great!!
I do, however rinse my dishes before they go in the dishwasher, I have to, since I don't run it daily. I would hate to have to rewash everything (and waste water) because of stuck on food! 
Some of you may have to do some adjusting on the salt, either a little more, or a little less...depending on how hard or soft your water is. 
BTW Salt also acts as a scouring agent to scrub your dishes.

Substitutes: 
Washing Soda - Baking Soda (doesn't work as well, so I've heard)
Kosher Salt     - Epsom Salt 
Citric Acid       - LemiShine, or Fruit Fresh or Lemon flavored Unsweetened 
                       Kool-Aid...*note* Kool-Aid will stain your dishwasher!
Borax             - No Substitute 

Here is what you need:
1 Cup of Borax
1 Cup of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
1/2 Cup of Kosher Salt
1/2 Cup of Citric Acid (can be found in the canning isle or at Amazon)
White Vinegar
6 to 8 drops of Dawn Dish Soap per dispenser (see edit below)

**edit 5-24-2012 ~ I'm pretty sure I saw the "Finish" brand dishwasher soap that had some Dawn in it for "grease fighting action" lol ....so that gave me an idea (light bulb) I tried putting some Dawn in the pre-wash dispenser AND in the main wash dispenser...I used anywhere from 6-8 drops per dispenser. I just add the drops after I put the powder in each dispenser. It works great!! It didn't suds up to much, and my dishes are really clean. I'm not sure I would use anymore than that, maybe experiment and add one more drop to each dispenser... I'm going to try.

** Edit 6-13-2012 ~ 9 drops in each dispenser...there is a little suds,but not to much,I think I'll stop here, before I'm sorry :) It works good,my dishes are clean!
** Edit #2 on 6-13-2012 ~ I also noticed that the Borax? does not mix well with aluminum, I have a cheese cutter that has a aluminum handle that looked a little corroded,so I'll be washing that by hand. But it also did it with regular store bought dishwasher soap also.

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl until well blended. Store in Air Tight container, in a cool dry place. (I will not be putting mine under the sink lol )
You can double or triple this recipe if you like.


Just a word of warning, this does tend to clump because of the Citric Acid, with that being said I am adding my Citric Acid when I run the dishwasher.

Tips to Avoid Clumping:
* Add 1/2 teaspoon Citric Acid separately to each dishwasher load. (This is what I'm doing, and I'm splitting it between the pre-wash and the main wash dispensers)

1/2 teaspoon added separately to dishwasher 

* Put some White Rice in panty hose (knee high's) tie a knot,cut off the majority of the "tail", and store in the container with the detergent.

* Add a couple Silica Gel Packets to the Detergent Container (This is what I wanted to do, but of coarse I couldn't find any when I needed them!) 
You can find these usually in Vitamin bottles, or in a shoe box etc., you know they are everywhere...except when you need them!!

Wash Dispenser/ Pre-Wash Dispenser:
Add 1 rounded Tablespoon, divided between the  pre-wash dispenser and the main wash dispenser. You can add a little more if you like, but I think less is more in this case. 

Rinse Dispenser:
* Add White Vinegar to the fill line in the Rinse Aid Dispenser (this should last about a month with regular use.(In the past I have added a drop or two of blue food coloring to the vinegar, if you have a viewing indicator window on the dispenser, it makes it easier to see how full it is I don't have one anymore. :(

* Also I add 1/2 Cup  to the bottom of the dishwasher before each load, it helps clean the dishes AND the dishwasher. And your dishes come out crystal clear! If you have hard water it helps with the lime build up on the heating element, and every where else inside the dishwasher for that matter!

I am happy with the results, I didn't have spots and my dishes came out with some bling ;) lol  Even my plastic cups came out with shine! 

Look at that shine! ;)

This is safe for any type of  dishwasher, including Stainless Steel Interior  Dishwasher's.

Now I can't wait to make my own Laundry Detergent....coming soon

 6-13-2012 ~ Link to Homemade Laundry Detergent(s)  :)