🧺 Homemade Laundry Tabs
Save Money, Cleaner Clothes, Better Ingredients!
📌 In This Article
🧺 The Laundry Story
"So I had started making our own laundry tabs years ago and stopped because of moving and things. Was needing to save some extra money on things and went back to the good old days. So glad I did. It's really easy to do."
Life gets busy. Moving, unpacking, settling in — sometimes the little habits we had fall by the wayside. But when the budget gets tight, you start remembering the good old days. And that's exactly what happened to me.
I used to make my own laundry tabs all the time. Then life happened. But when I needed to save some extra money, I thought — why not go back to what works? So I did. And let me tell you, I'm so glad I did!
💬 The verdict: "It's really easy to do. I use the powder Foca laundry detergent to make mine. It is literally half the price of the 60ct All pods for a 4lb bag."
💰 Cost Comparison
📊 Foca vs. All – The Numbers Don't Lie
| Homemade (Foca) | All Pods (60ct) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$4.50 (4lb bag) | ~$9.00 (60 pods) |
| Tabs per bag | ~200 tabs | 60 pods |
| Cost per tab | ~$0.02 | ~$0.15 |
| Cost per load | ~$0.02 | ~$0.15 |
| Ingredients | Simple, recognizable | Mystery chemicals |
💰 The savings: "I've gotten 135 tablets out of just one bag and still have enough to make at least another 50. So that's almost 200 laundry tablets for half the price of 60 pods of All (which is one of the cheaper ones)."
⚠️ Important: "The other thing that gets me is the ingredients list on the All vs the Foca. Yes the Foca it works and gets your clothes cleaner than the other stuff."
📦 Ingredients
Simple & Frugal
- 🧂 Foca Laundry Powder – 4lb bag (the secret weapon!)
- 🧴 Warm water – to bind the tabs together
- 🧪 Optional: A few drops of essential oil for fragrance
💡 Pro tip: "That's literally it! Two ingredients — Foca powder and water. That's all you need!"
🧐 Ingredient Comparison
✅ Foca Powder
- Sodium carbonate
- Sodium metasilicate
- Surfactants
- Enzymes
- Simple. Recognizable. Works.
❌ All Pods
- Sodium carbonate
- Sodium aluminosilicate
- Polyacrylic acid
- Ethoxylated alcohol
- Mystery "fragrances"
- Long list. Hard to pronounce.
💡 Pro tip: "The ingredient list on Foca is shorter and cleaner. And honestly? It gets your clothes cleaner than the other stuff!"
📝 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 – Measure Your Powder
- Measure out 1 cup of Foca laundry powder into a mixing bowl.
- This will make about 30-40 tabs depending on size.
💡 Pro tip: "One 4lb bag makes almost 200 tabs. That's a LOT of laundry!"
Step 2 – Add Water
- Add warm water a little at a time.
- Start with about 1/4 cup and mix.
- Keep adding until the mixture reaches a sandy, crumbly dough consistency.
- It should hold together when squeezed but not be wet or sticky.
⚠️ Important: "Add water slowly! You can always add more, but you can't take it away. You want it crumbly, not mushy."
Step 3 – Press Into Molds
- Press the mixture firmly into silicone molds or an ice cube tray.
- Pack it in tight — no air pockets!
- Each compartment should be full and compressed.
💡 Pro tip: "I use a small silicone mold that makes about 1 tablespoon-sized tabs. Perfect for one load!"
Step 4 – Dry
- Let the tabs dry completely — about 24-48 hours.
- They should be hard and solid when fully dry.
- Pop them out of the molds carefully.
💡 Pro tip: "Place them on a baking rack or parchment paper to dry. Air circulation helps them dry faster."
Step 5 – Store
- Store in an airtight container or mason jar.
- Keep in a cool, dry place.
- Use one tab per load of laundry.
💡 Pro tip: "I keep mine in a cute mason jar on the laundry shelf. Looks great and keeps them fresh!"
🧺 How to Store Your Laundry Tabs
- 🏠 Room temperature: Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place
- 🧊 Avoid moisture: Keep away from humidity or they'll start to soften
- 📦 Mason jars work great: Airtight, clear, and easy to grab from
- ⏱️ Shelf life: Several months when stored properly
💡 Pro tip: "Add a silica gel packet to the jar to absorb any moisture — keeps them perfect longer!"
💡 Pro Tips
- 🧂 Foca is key: It's cheap, effective, and has clean ingredients. Don't substitute with other powders!
- 💧 Go slow with water: Add water a little at a time. You want crumbly, not sludgy.
- 👊 Pack it tight: Press the mixture firmly into the molds for tabs that hold together.
- ⏱️ Be patient drying: Let them dry completely before storing — 24-48 hours is ideal.
- 🌿 Add fragrance: A few drops of essential oil (lavender, lemon, eucalyptus) can be added to the water before mixing.
- 🧪 Small batch first: Test with 1 cup of powder to get the consistency right before making a big batch.
- 🧺 Use warm water: Warm water helps the powder dissolve and bind better than cold.
- 💰 Stock up on sale: When Foca goes on sale, buy a few bags. They last forever and you'll save even more!
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
❓ How many tabs does one bag of Foca make?
About 200 tabs! I got 135 from one bag and still had enough for at least 50 more.
❓ Is this cheaper than buying pods?
Much cheaper! It's literally half the price of a 60ct box of All pods.
❓ Does Foca clean as well as name brands?
Better, honestly. It gets clothes cleaner with fewer harsh chemicals.
❓ Can I use a different detergent powder?
Foca is the best for this because of its texture and ingredients. Other powders may not bind as well.
❓ How long do the tabs take to dry?
24-48 hours depending on humidity. Make sure they're completely hard before storing.
❓ Can I add fragrance to the tabs?
Yes! Add a few drops of essential oil to the water before mixing.
❓ Will these dissolve in cold water?
Yes, Foca dissolves well in all temperatures. Use warm water for mixing though.
❓ How many tabs do I use per load?
One tab per standard load. For heavily soiled loads, use two tabs.
❓ Are these safe for HE machines?
Yes! Foca is HE-compatible. Just use one tab per load.
❓ Can I use these for cloth diapers?
Yes, but use unscented Foca and avoid any additives. Test first on a small load.
📄 Printable Recipe Card
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║ HOMEMADE LAUNDRY TABS ║
║ Save Money, Cleaner Clothes, Better Ingredients! ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
YIELD: ~40 tabs per batch | TIME: 15 minutes + 24-48 hours drying
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 cup Foca laundry powder (4lb bag = ~200 tabs total)
- Warm water (about 1/4 cup, added slowly)
- Optional: 5-10 drops essential oil for fragrance
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Measure 1 cup of Foca powder into a mixing bowl.
2. Add warm water a little at a time, mixing thoroughly.
3. Continue adding water until mixture reaches a crumbly, sandy dough.
4. Press firmly into silicone molds or ice cube trays.
5. Let dry completely for 24-48 hours.
6. Pop out of molds and store in an airtight container.
STORAGE:
- Store in an airtight jar in a cool, dry place.
- Use one tab per laundry load.
💰 COST BREAKDOWN:
- 4lb bag of Foca: ~$4.50
- Tabs per bag: ~200
- Cost per tab: ~$0.02
- 60ct All pods: ~$9.00
- Cost per pod: ~$0.15
"Almost 200 laundry tablets for half the price of 60 pods of All!"
Foca gets your clothes cleaner — and you can pronounce the ingredients!
Recipe adapted from Grandma's Frugal Laundry Tips • © CanningRebels — Homemade Laundry Tabs
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