Money or time saving products that have stood the test of time?

[rnorwo1]

The only detergent I prefer over Tide is my homemade one, which now that I think of it is a HUGE money saver for my family. It's one of the few "make at home" products that is so easy, there's no reason not to do it most of the time.

Can you share the "recipe?"

 

[kamik86]

Our biggest one is probably DH working at Target. We get some amazing deals due to him being in the store all the time and being friends with the team that clearances stuff. I got a pair of great Bose over ear blue tooth headphones yesterday for only $65.

 

[eeyoresmom]

Can you share the "recipe?"

Shred a bar of Fels Naptha soap ( most stores sell it in their cleaning aisle, not with bath products). Boil that until all pieces are liquefied, about 5 min. Add a half cup of Borax and a half cup of washing soda, boil again until everything is dissolved. Pour into a large bucket that has about 2 gallons of warm water in it and stir. Let sit for 24 hours. What you will have is a thick, slippery product. I have my husband mix this with his drill to get it really mixed but you don't have to, just stir really well with a big spoon. This is the concentrated product. I no longer measure how much of this concentrated soap product I add to the water in my saved detergent bottles, I just estimate. I probably do about 20 % product and 80 % water. If you don't mix it really well (like with the drill), there will be some separation as it sits and you will have to shake before each use. For the amount of money I have saved over the years I don't mind shaking.The 3 products needed to make this are dirt cheap! I have a family of five. we do at least 2 loads of laundry a day. With this recipe, I only have to make the detergent once every few months. The boxes of washing soda and borax last me about 2 years. The Fels Naptha I have to buy a bar (99 cents) each time I make it.

 

[onenursebrandy]

The only detergent I prefer over Tide is my homemade one, which now that I think of it is a HUGE money saver for my family. It's one of the few "make at home" products that is so easy, there's no reason not to do it most of the time.

I make my own too.....I love it!!!!

Shred a bar of Fels Naptha soap ( most stores sell it in their cleaning aisle, not with bath products). Boil that until all pieces are liquefied, about 5 min. Add a half cup of Borax and a half cup of washing soda, boil again until everything is dissolved. Pour into a large bucket that has about 2 gallons of warm water in it and stir. Let sit for 24 hours. What you will have is a thick, slippery product. I have my husband mix this with his drill to get it really mixed but you don't have to, just stir really well with a big spoon. This is the concentrated product. I no longer measure how much of this concentrated soap product I add to the water in my saved detergent bottles, I just estimate. I probably do about 20 % product and 80 % water. If you don't mix it really well (like with the drill), there will be some separation as it sits and you will have to shake before each use. For the amount of money I have saved over the years I don't mind shaking.The 3 products needed to make this are dirt cheap! I have a family of five. we do at least 2 loads of laundry a day. With this recipe, I only have to make the detergent once every few months. The boxes of washing soda and borax last me about 2 years. The Fels Naptha I have to buy a bar (99 cents) each time I make it.

Mine is powdered though....and has more ingredients!!! I like the "clean smell" of commercial products....so I've tweeked the recipe so my laundry smells as good as if I used tide/gain. It takes such a small amount, one batch lasts us over 6 months. I will NEVER go back!!!!

 

[vaDisneyGuy]

Not sure if this qualifies but it's my Tide detergent. Every time I say I'm going to save money by purchasing a cheaper detergent, I regret it. end up either rewashing or washing more loads using more detergent.

I agree I have tried many other detergents and even the homemade stuff all cleans ok, but Tide gets it clean every time. I usually buy it when it is on sale and I have a coupon. CVS is a great place to buy Tide it is on sale often and and with extra care bucks too.

 

[pjlla]

So glad you all are having good luck with the homemade detergents. I tried hard for about two years to do it, but I couldn't see to find a recipe that dissolved well in cold water.... I tried the "pastes", the liquids, and the powdered. I tried shaking it in a jar with warm water before dumping it into the washer. I just kept ending up with either undissolved powder in the bottom of the washer or blobs of "paste" still stuck to the clothes. I may have to give it a try again though.... like TODAY.... because I am out of detergent and there is ONE MORE DAY left in the month and ONE MORE DAY before the monthly paycheck posts! I have all of the ingredients here from when I was making the detergent. Guess I know what I am doing with the rest of my day!.....P

 

[rnorwo1]

Shred a bar of Fels Naptha soap ( most stores sell it in their cleaning aisle, not with bath products). Boil that until all pieces are liquefied, about 5 min. Add a half cup of Borax and a half cup of washing soda, boil again until everything is dissolved. Pour into a large bucket that has about 2 gallons of warm water in it and stir. Let sit for 24 hours. What you will have is a thick, slippery product. I have my husband mix this with his drill to get it really mixed but you don't have to, just stir really well with a big spoon. This is the concentrated product. I no longer measure how much of this concentrated soap product I add to the water in my saved detergent bottles, I just estimate. I probably do about 20 % product and 80 % water. If you don't mix it really well (like with the drill), there will be some separation as it sits and you will have to shake before each use. For the amount of money I have saved over the years I don't mind shaking.The 3 products needed to make this are dirt cheap! I have a family of five. we do at least 2 loads of laundry a day. With this recipe, I only have to make the detergent once every few months. The boxes of washing soda and borax last me about 2 years. The Fels Naptha I have to buy a bar (99 cents) each time I make it.

Thank you!