• AIMEE’S PRETTY PALATE
    • Mardi Gras Brunch
    • Perfect for a Picnic
    • There’s an App for That
    • Keepin It Cool
    • Fan-tastic Flavors
    • Quick Fix
    • Gone to the Dogs
    • Farmer’s Market Finds
    • Sheet Pan Suppers
    • Oh, the Pastabilities
    • Giving Thanks
    • Merry Berries
  • COOKING IN THE 225
    • Cookbook Club Featuring Magnolia Table
  • PICNICS, POTLUCKS & PORCH PARTIES COOKBOOK

Aimee Broussard & Co.

Heirloom Recipes + Sweet Southern Charm

  • HOME
  • ABOUT AIMEE
    • PRIVACY POLICY
  • RECIPES
    • APPETIZERS
    • BEVERAGES
    • BREAKFAST & BRUNCH
    • DESSERTS
    • DINNERTIME
    • FOR THE DOGS
    • ON THE SIDE
    • SOUPS/SALADS
    • TAILGATING
  • THE TRAVELING APRON
    • ABOUT THE TRAVELING APRON
    • DOWNLOAD RECIPE CARDS
    • SIGN UP FOR A FUTURE SWAP
  • CONTACT

LIFE

DIY Laundry Detergent & the BEST Fabric Softener

This shop has been compensated by #CollectiveBias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #FastDrySaveTime

Today we’re going to chat about DIY Laundry & the BEST Fabric Softener.

I’m going to share a little secret with you. I like to do laundry. I do. I really do. I like the way it makes everything smell fresh & clean. I like how when other people are doing laundry, I can smell their fabric softener while walking the dogs…therefore making the outdoors smell fresh & clean. I like nothing more than freshly laundered sheets when I climb into bed on Sunday nights (I wash the sheets every Sunday afternoon). What I don’t like, however, is how long it all takes.

Laundry Room Decor

And what I really don’t like is when you forget the clothes in the dryer and they get cold.

I refuse to fold cold clothes. I’m constantly “fluffing” in order to scoop them out when they’re all hot and fresh.

Do you know how much of our lives are spent doing laundry?

Seriously, think about it for a moment.

Even my small loads take 40+ minutes to wash, and another 45+ to dry. Multiply that by a minimum of 3-5 loads per week.

That’s about 7.5 hours a week.

About 30 hours a month.

360 hours a year, or basically TWO FULL WEEKS of your life doing laundry 24 hours a day!!! And that’s not counting the amount of time it takes to fold the darn things. That’s ONLY washing & drying.

Naturally, if I told you that you could reduce your drying time by 30% and therefore regain some of that time back you’d jump on it, right?

Right.

So, I’m going to tell you how to do so right this moment.

Suavitel Fabric Softener

Say hello to my little pink bottle friend, Miss Suavitel.

It’s located on the same aisle at WalMart where all the detergent and other fabric softeners are located.

Suavitel

Suavitel Fast Dry fabric conditioner exists simply to make your life easier by not only softening your clothes but by drying them faster. With a unique technology that wicks away water from the fabric, your clothes dry 30% faster.

suavitel fabric conditioner

Less time in the dryer. Less energy consumed. Less time out of your precious life.

And do you know what you can do with all that free time?

You can go ahead and give that DIY Laundry Detergent a whirl.

You know the one. The one that all of Pinterest has been raving about.

DIY Detergent

Super concentrated allowing you to only use 2-4 tablespoons per load.

DIY Laundry Detergent

Two tablespoons, y’all. That’s like nothing.

I used this recipe, but basically cut the ingredients in half because I wasn’t so sure I was going to love the stuff.

I mean, can a laundry detergent you made yourself, really compare to store bought? I was skeptical.

And I got nervous that I didn’t have a container large enough to hold it all.

Here’s what you’ll need.

1 (4 lb 12 oz) Box of Borax- Found in the detergent aisle
1 (3 lb 7 oz) Box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda- Found in the detergent aisle
1 (3 lb) Container of OxyClean- Found in the detergent aisle
2 (14.1 oz) Bars of Zote Soap- Found in the detergent aisle (You can also use Fels Naptha)
2 (2 lb) Boxes of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda- Found in the baking aisle
2 Bottles of Purex Crystals Fabric Enhancer- Found in the detergent aisle

DIY Laundry Detergent

Again, I halfed the recipe. So when it says 1 Box of Borax, I used half the box. Instead of 2 2-lb boxes of Baking Soda, I used 2 1-lb boxes, etc.

But here’s what you’ll do once you determine just how much you want to make:

Begin by grating the Zote soap with a cheese grater. I used the medium setting.
Mix all ingredients together in a large bucket.

You’re only going to want to use 2-4 tablespoons per load. That’s it.

DIY Laundry Detergent

You can see how this stuff will last an eternity. The lady at the check out line said another lady came in and was buying similar products to make her own detergent and said it lasted her 6 months! SIX MONTHS!

I think it will largely depend on how much laundry your family creates, but I can definitely see how it’s going to long outlast store bought detergent.

I have no idea why I was skeptical (of either product). The laundry detergent is FANTASTIC and not only does the fabric softener appear to really take less drying time, but it’s got some sort of wrinkle resistance properties in it, too.

I kid you not, my clothes are less wrinkly.

Which means less ironing.

Which means more time!

More time for doing fun things like making your own laundry detergent! Or starting a gallery wall in the laundry room.

I mean, if you’re going to spend two weeks of your life in there, might as well make it cozy right?

Laundry Room Gallery Wall

Stella thinks so.

What about you? Ever made your own laundry detergent? Heard of Suavitel?

Had any clue how much time you spend doing laundry and now want to cry?

I’m with ya.

Let’s take back our lives!

You Might Also Like:

  • Church Pew & Puppy DogsChurch Pew & Puppy Dogs
  • Kitchen Cutting Board Sign| Silhouette America BlogKitchen Cutting Board Sign| Silhouette America Blog
  • Crisp & Clean Home Office Crisp & Clean Home Office
  • At Home with Aimee (Living Room + Wayfair Discount)At Home with Aimee (Living Room + Wayfair Discount)


4 Comments

About Aimee

Southern born and raised, Aimee enjoys living life in the deep South with husband Brian and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Milo, Murph, Tucker and their occasional foster dog. A graduate of Louisiana College, she once haphazardly traded in a career in corporate insurance for the aprons and ovens of her kitchen. AimeeBroussard.com is the online diary of her journey as an award-winning cookie creator and two-time cookbook author.

Subscribe

Get the latest recipes delivered to your inbox weekly!

Previous Post: « Ghoul’s Night Out Halloween Snacks
Next Post: Halloween Porch Party »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Julie says

    October 21, 2014 at 11:42 am

    The dog! The gorgeous laundry table! I know it’s supposed to be about the fabric softener but your laundry room is BEAUTIFUL!

    Reply
    • Aimee says

      October 22, 2014 at 1:31 pm

      Do you know that laundry table was from the top of a coffee table we found in the attic of our old house?!? There was just this coffee table top (no legs) from the previous owner and we were like “let’s make something”!. My father in law gets all the credit for it. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Liz Abramson says

    May 26, 2016 at 7:10 am

    I am from Louisiana and have never heard of Louisiana College. Is it known by another name?

    Reply
    • Aimee says

      May 26, 2016 at 3:57 pm

      Sometimes people abbreviate to LC, but no it’s not known as another name. It’s a private Christian college in Pineville. http://www.lacollege.edu/

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING?

CLICK THE MIXER & MEET AIMEE:

CLICK THE MIXER & MEET AIMEE:

Hi, I'm Aimee. Southern born and raised, a self proclaimed accidental entrepreneur with a penchant for porches and sweet hospitality. I'm a two time cookbook author, recipe developer and award winning cookie creator making my home in the deep South with husband, Brian and a gaggle of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. WELCOME to my online front porch.

Stay updated!

Get all the latest tasty goodness straight to your inbox!

LATEST FROM INSTAGRAM

aimeebroussard

🍰 Heirloom Recipes with sweet Southern Charm
🍽 Recipe developer + food columnist
📚 Cookbook Author x2 + Traveling Apron Founder
You hungry? 👇

Instagram post 2193084053779838059_49863990 Did you get your December @inregister copy yet? It may be one of my MOST favorite Aimee’s Pretty Palate columns to date. ❤️ Homemade gifts are my love language and nothing says I’m thinking of you more than: Pumpkin Pie Spice to make your own lattes at home, Gingerbread Flavoring to make some Gingerbread House Popcorn (recipe on blog!) while you watch Hallmark movies or some Cajun Seasoning that will make a delightful hostess gift. All recipes AND those cute little downloadable tags are on the blog for you. Seasoned Greetings! Get it? Seasoned? Ha! 🎁 🎅 🌲 #handmadeholiday #howiholiday #aimeesprettypalate
Instagram post 2192230881183654065_49863990 Popping in to say hello with these Spiced Pear Breakfast Pastries aka Pop Tarts. 🍐 NEW on the blog! PS: My senior pup (Tucker) had eye surgery on Tuesday and I’ve been riding the struggle 🚌 trying to save his eye since last week. 🐶 Surgery was a success and I just dumped like 5 new holiday posts on the blog so refill your coffee before heading over for this recipe! 💚 #pears #nationalpearmonth #lovesprouts #sproutsbrand
Instagram post 2187262567755789490_49863990 Grateful. Thankful. Blessed. Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃
Instagram post 2185720548885437121_49863990 Dutch Apple with a bonus cream cheese layer? WHY NOT?! Find the recipe on the blog (updated link in profile) and make ahead this irresistible pie for Thursday's shindig. Your family will be grateful you did! #FallBaking #DutchApplePie #HowIHoliday 🍎 🍏 🥧 🍏 🍎
Instagram post 2182101180935002018_49863990 Add a cast iron wedge pan to your holiday plan! 🙌 It’s great for individual cornbread, and it’s super fabulous for perfectly portioned Chocolate Chip Pecan Pie slices. 🥧 🍫 Recipe is in blog archives. #homemadepie #fallbaking
Instagram post 2181370367394597660_49863990 Raise your hand if you want s'more pie? 🙋🏻‍♀️ Don't let a sweet potato or pumpkin steal the show this holiday season, treat yo family to this Sweet Potato S'mores Pie and watch everyone do the happy pants dance. <--- that's totally a thing. 👖 💃🏻 🥧 🍫 #fallbaking #howiholiday #sweetpotatopie
Instagram post 2180651281764670091_49863990 Day 2 and another pie for you! 🥧 Fall’s favorite caramel apples join the pecan pie party making this Caramel Apple Pecan Pie the best of both worlds. It’s on the blog! 🍎 🍏 🥧 🍏 🍎  #fallbaking #howiholiday #caramelapples
Instagram post 2179982159355659005_49863990 Let’s talk holiday pies! 🥧 Are you strictly pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving? Pecan? Sweet Potato? I'm going to be sharing ALL the pies this week (holiday pies are my favvvvvvorite), and first up is this Dutch Apple Pie with an oatmeal cookie type crunch streusel that is divine. NEW on the blog & the @dixie_crystals website! 🥧🍎#dutchapplepie #holidaybaking
Instagram post 2176288304828144260_49863990 When you need a Pumpkin Pie Spice Latte but it is MUCH too cold to leave the house to go get one, make one at home! ☕️ Recipe is NEW on the blog. *Y'all it is 30 degrees in Louisiana today with a hard freeze last night .... we are not okay. We are so cold. Ha! How cold is where you are? 🥶 🧣 🧥 #pumpkinspice #pumpkinspicelatte
Follow on Instagram

THE LATEST FROM AIMEE’S PRETTY PALATE:

Sheet Pan Cashew Chicken

Sheet Pan Suppers

King Cake Pull Apart Bread

Mardi Gras Brunch

Fiesta Veggie Dip

There’s an App for That

WHEN YOU NEED DINNER:

One Pot Penne alla Vodka with Spicy Andouille

One Pot Penne alla Vodka with Spicy Andouille

Slow Cooker Bacon Cheeseburger Soup

Slow Cooker Bacon Cheeseburger Soup

Chicken & Sausage Gumbo Casserole

Chicken & Sausage Gumbo Casserole

MOST RECENT RECIPES:

Gingerbread Seasoning for Popcorn

Gingerbread Flavored Popcorn

Dutch Apple Pie with Oatmeal Streusel Topping

Dutch Apple Pie with Oatmeal Streusel Topping

Butter Pecan Fudge

Butter Pecan Fudge Recipe

Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Dip

Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Dip

Footer

IN CASE YOU’RE STILL HUNGRY:

Halloween Cheeseball Spiders

Halloween Cheeseball Spiders

Honey Garlic Party Meatballs

Honey Garlic Party Meatballs

CranApple Brie Bites

CranApple Brie Bites

Cranberry Applesauce Recipe

Homemade Cinnamon CranApple Sauce

Whipped Pumpkin Pie Dip

Whipped Pumpkin Pie Dip

Copyright © 2019 · Aimee Broussard & Co.