Thursday, April 22, 2010

Homemade Laundry Soap

I decided to try making laundry detergent from scratch.
It was really easy, works great, and saves a bundle.
If you're interested here's the recipe I used:
(from
Made with Love and Glue)

Liquid Laundry Soap-Family Sized Batch

Water
1 bar grated Fels Naptha soap
5 gallon bucket
1 cup washing soda (Arm and Hammer)
1 cup 20 Mule Team Borax
4 1/2 gallons water
Put grated Fels Naptha in saucepan and cover with water. Heat on low until dissolved. Fill bucket 1/2 way with hot water and add soap. Stir to combine. Add 1 cup washing soda and 1 cup borax and mix well. Fill bucket with more HOT water (I added enough water so it reaches the rings near the top of the bucket) As it cools, it will thicken.
If mixture becomes too thick, add hot water to thin it to desired consistency. May be used immediately. Mix well before each use.
Use 1/2(normal) to 1 cup per load (heavy).
Cost per load .04

TIP: The above recipes will NOT make suds in your washer so don't be alarmed. Fels Naptha Soap is a pure soap and typically makes little or no suds in the water. This makes it perfect for use in the new HE washers as well as traditional washers. You will also notice the need to either reduce your laundry softener or in most cases you can even eliminate the use of softener completely, depending on your preference.

I ladled some from the 5 gallom bucket into an old apple juice container,
so it's easier to use everyday.
I had a hard time finding the Fels Naptha soap.
I finally found it at Winco for $1.06 a bar.


It looks like a vat of lemonade, so as long as someone doesn't drink it
then maybe we'll have clean laundry. Maybe ......if I do it.
Happy Washing!

6 comments:

  1. Love this idea! I have wanted to try it for awhile! Let me know how it does removing the stains from your 4 little ones clothes. That is the real test right?:)
    Enjoy the day!
    Does it smell good?????

    ReplyDelete
  2. Same questions as above, does it smell good?

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  3. That's cheap! (I love the shelf in your photo)

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  4. where do you get all these ideas? Oh....i love soap that makes bubbles.....so I guess this is not for moi! Any how cute photos....

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  5. This is a great idea. I've lately started using vinegar as a softener. It works great - and our clothes DO NOT smell like a salad at all!

    Thanks for posting this great 'recipe'.

    ~Sarah @ Sugar Bananas!

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  6. I'm so excited to use this...I finally found all of the ingredients. Had to order the Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda, but they had a great deal - order 3 boxes at $4.50 and receive free shipping. (-;

    Here's their number in case anyone else is having trouble finding it: 800-524-1328

    I've got it all mixed up...time to go do some washing.

    ReplyDelete

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