There are a bunch of recipes out there for laundry soap, you can try out different ones, if you like. Here is the one that I use and love:
1/3 bar of Fels Naptha soap, grated
1/2 c Arm & Hammer Washing Soda (not to be confused with Baking Soda!)
1/2 c 20 Mule Team Borax
I get all of my ingredients at WinCo. This probably costs around $7 for these three items, and just think of how many batches you can make out of each box! Fels Naptha runs about $1 and I use a 1/3 of the bar for each batch. I grate up the entire bar and then put it in three separate ziplock bags, so I don't have to grate it up each time I make some.
-First, in a large pot on the stove, heat up 6 cups of water and pour in your 1/3 bar of grated Fels Naptha soap. Stir until dissolved (just on medium heat. . . don't bring to a boil).
-Then add in the washing soda and borax and stir until dissolved.
-Add 4 more cups of water.
Now what you do next will depend on how you are going to store your soap. This recipe makes 2 gallons. I have one of the old Costco laundry soap containers that this fits perfectly into. But, if I didn't, this is what I would do:
-Put 1 gallon, plus 6 cups of cold water into a two gallon bucket, or container. (I put this right into my laundry soap container using a funnel)
-Pour your soap mixture from you pot into the bucket or container. (Again, I put it right into my container)
-Stir or shake until it is all mixed up. (At this point, if you are not using a laundry soap container, pour your mixture into whatever containers you will be using to dispense the soap. You can pour it into two different containers if you don't have one big enough).
-Stir or shake until it is all mixed up. (At this point, if you are not using a laundry soap container, pour your mixture into whatever containers you will be using to dispense the soap. You can pour it into two different containers if you don't have one big enough).
-Let it sit for 24 hours before using it.
You must SHAKE the container before you use the soap EACH TIME. It gets really gloopy.
Use 1/2 cup per load.
The price to make a two gallon batch of soap is less than $1. I'd say that's a pretty big savings compared to the price you pay in the store!!
I just found your blog and I love it! I've been making homemade laundry soap for about a year, and it's been great. I use the same ingredients, and the only difference in how I use it is that I just mix the dry ingredients and then store it in a mason jar. The washing soda tends to clump so I mash all the lumps out with a wooden spoon before mixing the borax & grated bar soap in (I love Fels Naptha but I've also tried Yardley brand with good results, and I'm going to try Bee & Honey Sandalwood next; I've heard you can use Ivory bar soap, too). I use about 1/8 per washload for a front-loading HE washer but I would use 1/4 cup for a top-loader, or when I wash really grimy laundry.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jeanne! I'm glad you are trying lot of new things. I've seen many different recipes for liquid and powder, but this is the only one I've tried. I just love not having to buy expensive laundry soap at the store! :)
DeleteI have been using this for about a year and a half. I had friends poo poo the idea and tell me how it would fade my clothes and all sorts of things. The only thing it is doing is cleaning my clothes and keeping money in my pocket. We love it.
ReplyDeleteI have used it for probably 5 years now and totally love not spending money on laundry soap! I am glad that you love it. :) This last time I made it I put in a few drops of tea tree oil in it to give it a little scent.
DeleteYou can do this "dry" as well. I usually grate a full bar of Fels Naptha, 1 cup borax and 1 cup washing soda. Mix it all together really well and use 1-2 Tablespoons per load. I like the fact it takes up very little space and it lasts a long time. HTH
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking about trying a dry mix lately. I will try this when my next batch runs out. Thanks!
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