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....
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| Homemade Laundry Detergent with Gain Scent Crystals |
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| Homemade Laundry Detergent with Gain Scent Crystals |
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| Homemade Laundry Detergent with Gain Scent Crystals |
Happy Laundry Day! I just know you love doing Laundry! ツ
How many loads are you abe to get from this powder detergent?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure, I haven't used it up yet, and truthfully I haven't been counting. I probably would have lost count by now though :) I know my container(ice cream bucket)is about half full and I made that batch in March. So it is lasting a long time! Sometimes depending on the load (how dirty it is) I might use 2-3 scoops (Tablespoon full) I'm happy with it, I can't wait to try the new original scent Gain crystals!!
DeleteI have been using this laundry detergent for over a year. The only thing I do different is I use 2 boxes borax, 2 box super washing soda, 1 box zote shavings, i container oxiclean, and 4 containers downy unstoppables. when I make mine it lasts any where from 6-8 months. I use the lid on the downy unstoppables. The bottom line is for normal loads and the top line is for heavily soiled or large loads.
DeleteThat would last a really long time!! I wish they had the pink zote in the shavings also, I like to see how well its mixed up..
DeleteThanks for posting Jennifer!
Never of heard zote where u get it, and I don't have food processor is there another way to make shaveings
DeleteIf you cut the zote up then microwave it. Looks like cotton candy, but it is easier then using a food processor. I make this and it last a year for me with a family of 4.
DeleteThank you! I am anxious to try this out mysef :)
ReplyDeleteYour welcome 8) You will like it I'm sure!
DeleteI recently made this and love it! I tried others, but like this one the best. I used the Purex crystals for baby because my kids and hubby liked it more than the other scents. Thanks for posting this! :)
ReplyDeleteBarbara, I lied, its every bit as pretty with the Gain, its almost neon! :)
DeleteHi Barbara! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for you comment
I really like this one too!! I thought about the Crystals for Baby but wasn't sure if my husband would like it (he probably would)
A couple weeks ago I purchased some Original Gain scent crystals and I can't wait to try them!!! I love Gain! I'm not sure I can use the food processor on them though, I'll have to see... and it won't be as pretty either, the Gain Crystals are yellow.
Are the gain crystals like a fabric softner so you dont have to use any?
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous.
DeleteThey are a scent booster. I use my homemade dryer sheets made from the Gain liquid. If you're interested here is the link:
http://whitfieldshomeinthecountry.blogspot.com/2012/07/make-your-own-dryer-sheets.html
Does it suds up like the actual Gain??
ReplyDeleteNo,it doesn't suds up at all. So its good to use in the HE machines too! The detergent doesn't make suds, and neither does the Gain Scent crystals, nor the Purex crystals.
DeleteHope this helps!
The quality of your blogs and articles and worth appreciating.
ReplyDeleteCarpet Cleaning
Hi Carol, Help me please! I've made the detergent but without the crystals. I ended up with dry soup deposits on my clothes. Is it because I used cold water? Do I have to use the hot/cold setting so this doesn't happen? I just discovered your site when I was looking for a bottom round steak recipe. Haven't made it yet, but it sounds yummy! Thank you, Missy
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous,
DeleteI haven't had that problem before, Adding the crystals shouldnt matter with it dissolving. I always add my powder first, let it fill a little then spin the agitator a few times to "stir" it up. It shouldn't matter if the water is cold or not, but if you want to make sure you can dissolve your detergent in a small glass of hot water and pour in your cold wash, when you wash with cold. Which soap did you use? Fels-Naptha, or something different? I've only used the Fels-Naptha and the Zote, so not sure if that would be the problem or not I've heard others have used other bar soaps without a problem...
Let me know...
You wont be disappointed with the Bottom Round if you end up trying it! :)
Carol, I made the laundry detergent, but without the crystals. I had dried powder on the clothes after washing. Was it because I used the cold/cold setting? I just discovered your site while looking for a bottom round steak recipe. Haven't made it yet, but it sounds yummy. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI made half a batch of this stuff yesterday it made the whole front of my house smell lovely! And I have not even had a chance to add the scent crystals to it yet....lol....I can't decide on which one to use. I will probably end up with the , "Original Gain" As it is my favorite but the Baby Purex almost smells like bubble gum and we have two little girls so its a toss up. Used this on a load of laundry last night I think this my go too recipe from now on. How long did your original batch last? I do 1-3 loads of washing a day. So I am just curious about that. Love the blog, Next thing on my list is one I have been wanting to do since this summer...your homemade fabric sheets, love that idea.
ReplyDeleteHi Stampsfam,
DeleteYou could do the Baby Purex this time and Gain next time ;) I'm not really sure how long it lasted, (and I probably would have lost count lol) I save my laundry for one day a week and its just me and my husband, I'd say we probably have about 5-6 loads. I can honestly say it lasted a long time, I want to say more than two months? I use about 2 Tablespoons per load except on my husbands work clothes and I use 3 Tablespoons for his. Sorry I couldnt be of more help...
You'll like the dryer sheets, I still use them
I'm glad you like the blog, I enjoy doing posts
Stop back soon! :)
I have been making this for a while but I use 2 bars of the Fels bar soap and a box of each borax and washing soda plus I also put a small thing of oxy clean in mine and purex and its makes a 5 gallon bucket worth and I have to use 1/2 cup each load for my family as for I have 5 kids and hubby and we are farmers so very dirty clothes and I love this one
ReplyDeleteI bet you have dirty clothes living on a farm!! What do you farm, animals, or veggies and stuff? Or both lol
DeleteI bet you are never done with laundry, with 5 kids! I don't envy you on the laundry part :)
Don't you love making your own!!?
How long does you 5 gal. bucket last you?
Are you able to purchase the components of the laundry soap at your local stores (i.e. Walmart, Target, grocery store, etc.) or do you order them online? This is interesting. My husband runs a restaurant and often times comes homes smelling of the frying oil and coated in food, if he happens to cook that day. It'd be nice to have a detergent that would get his clothes clean in our front loading HE washer, as Tide just doesn't seem to cut it.
ReplyDeleteHi Miss Tori,
DeleteI buy everything at my local Walmart. My other local stores carry some of the products, but not all of them. I would maybe soak the clothes for a little while (can you do that in a front loader?) and maybe add a cup of vinegar to the wash cycle also.
I know that smell all to well, its not pleasant!
Good Luck!
I see that some people have had issues with the Gain Scent - leaving marks on cloths and oily spots. Have you had this issue at all? I really want to make this but I am hesitant to with that issue with the scent. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI personally have not had this happen to our clothes...
DeleteThe only oil spots on my clothes are the ones that are from greasy splatters that I've forgotten to pre-treat :/
Do you know if this type of homemade detergent is safe for septic systems? I've heard powder can clog a septic system up.
ReplyDeleteI sure hope it doesn't! Because I have septic...I don't see any powder, it all desolves in my machine, I only use 2 Tablespoons per wash load. I've been using it for over a year now with no problems..
DeleteHi! I just made a batch tonight. I was wondering if you could do a bar of zote and gels naptha. (Spelling :-))
ReplyDelete:) :) lol
DeleteI don't see it hurting anything, they both smell good, but neither leaves a scent after washing clothes, that's where the scent crystals come in. Maybe see how they smell just sitting next to each other, and see if its something you could stand just with them being mixed. I get headaches pretty easily from smells, so that would be something I would do before mixing them.
Thanks for the comment!
One more question: the scent crystals, regardless of brand, just adds a smell to the clothes? They don't act as a softener? I'm not a big fan of scented soaps. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI know that the Gain scent crystals are just for scent, they aren't a softener.
DeleteI'm not 100% positive on the others, but pretty sure...
Does anyone know if you can use the crystals to add scent to the liquid detergent? I make my own but use the recipe for liquid instead of powder. I definitely want to add scent to the batch but wasn't sure if the crystals would work in the liquid.
ReplyDeleteI would think they would "melt" like they do in the wash... I'll try it, and get back with you. You could always add some when your loading the wash, instead of putting some in the liquid...
DeleteThey melted...
DeleteI use Epsom Salt as a softener so I just added the Gain to the Epsom Salt. Put it in with the detergent and clothes are soft and sweet smelling. Thanks for the info.
DeleteThat's a good idea! Thanks!
DeleteI have been using this exact recipe with the purex crystals and baking soda, I did not however add oxyclean and we love it so much....it also works as a super hand cleaner and my hubby runs a machine shop so we are talking heavy grease and it cuts it awseome....we use vinegar as a fabric softener...have a HE so we put the soap in the drum and the vinegar in the rinse drawer and use a ball of tinfoil in the dryer....I have allergies so this has been a godsend....lasts forever and easy tomake ...my daughter helps
ReplyDeleteDoes he make a paste, for the hand cleaner? My husband gets his hands dirty as well.
DeleteI have tried tinfoil, I use them to long and they break apart lol, we use tennis balls now :)
What does the tennis balls or tinfoil do?
DeleteWill this recipe work with a front load washer?
ReplyDeleteDo you add the powder to your powder he dispenser in front loader or just into the drum?
ReplyDeleteWhen using powder version with gain in he front loader do you add to the powder dispenser or directly into the tub with clothes? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI tried to answer this once,it wouldn't post, lets try again....
DeleteI'm not sure on a front loader, but I think in the tub?
Someone please correct me if I'm wrong!!
I started making the liquid first about 3 years ago and now make the powder formula and add the Purex scent crystals. The powder is so convenient to store and no shaking, but both are great. I also use this when mopping the kitchen floor and it really looks great. Thanks for publishing this!!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
DeleteGood Idea for kitchen floors! Probably could be used on most anything... The powder is very convenient!
How many bottles of gain crystals did you use? I've made it with purex crystals and used 2 big bottles. Thanks
ReplyDeleteI just used one bottle!
DeleteCan you use it in cold water?
ReplyDeleteI did!!
Deletesorry for the big delay in response..
I cant wait to make this and try it out! :) Thank you for an awesom blog!
ReplyDeleteI found vote laundry flakes at Wal-Mart. No more grating and it's cheaper than the solid soaps.
ReplyDeleteBuy the zotes soap flakes. It's already grated and is much faster
ReplyDeleteI'll have to look if my store carries them! That would be awesome!
DeleteTry cutting the zote bars into 5 slices then microwave for about 1 minute (it will expand). You should be able to crumble it up with your hands.
DeleteIs this recipe safe to use on newborn baby clothes?
ReplyDeleteI would think so, but I personally would use Dreft :)
DeleteI have made a batch of your detergent (works good for us!) and so far I've been adding it directly to the drum of my HE washer but I'd like to add it to the detergent dispenser. Is it safe to do that? My main concern is the downy scent Booster within the detergent mix. If anyone could get back to me on that I would really appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteDO NOT ADD TO DETERGENT DISPENSER. I have an HE front load as well and after about two months of adding to the dispenser it clogged up and had to repair it. I only add to the drum now and have been doing so for about 6 months with no problem. My only complaint is that it does not leave my clothes smelling as good. Should I add more crystals?
DeleteTotally off subject But can u plz suggest how I can remove the smell of cat pee/feces from my carpet?
ReplyDelete