Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Make Your Own Laundry Soap!

I love to be frugal!  I've been a DIY girl for many years!  I think the crafter in me likes making all kinds of things like spray cleaners, bath/body products and yes laundry soap!  I've made my own soap for almost 5 years!!! I honestly can't stand store bought soap any more because unless you spend the big money your not getting quality.  I used to use that big orange bottled stuff that is pretty pricey and I can honestly say my version works just as well and smells great too!  Only difference is I'm only paying pennies a load!!!  Also this stuff is great for sensitive skin so no more specialty baby laundry products it was great for our whole family!

Here is what you will need:

A bar of Fels Naptha soap grated
*TIP* I put my bar through the food processor and do about 6 bars at at time then store them until needed.
1 cup of Arm and Hammer Washing Soda
1/2 cup of borax
water
5 gallon bucket with lid
empty laundry containers


Steps:
1.  put grated bar of soap in a saucepan and add about 3 cups of water (I just eyeball so the soap is covered).  Cook slowly until melted about 15 mins.  Stir occasionally and watch it will spill over if you don't watch!

2.  Put borax and arm and hammer in the bucket and put about 2 inches of HOT water.  Stir to incorporate.

3.  Mix cooked soap mixture into the bucket and stir. 

4.  Fill the bucket to the top with HOT water and put lid on.  Let sit overnight. 

5.  Next day stir well.  Get your empty laundry containers (clean them by rinsing)  and fill halfway with soap mixture and half with water. 

6.  Shake well before using.  Use approx 1 cup for each load (this is 4 caps of the orange bottle!).  In HE washers you can use 1/4-1/2 of this. 



Additional information:

The initial investment is larger because you need a 5 gallon bucket ($6 at Walmart!) a bar of fels naptha soap ($1.09), Arm & hammer Washing soda (around $4) and Borax ($8) however the next bucket you will have the two powder ingredients and only need the bar soap.  I believe it works out to about 9c a load vs big orange at 25c a load (if using a full cup - I don't do that on all loads you'll have to see how much you actually need for your own laundry). 

1. Save up your old laundry containers so you have a few vessels to put it in.
2.  For local NJ friends:   I've found the ingredients at Perks in Pine Hill, Shoprite and Walmart in Magnolia.

6 comments:

  1. I've really got to try this out! Thanks so much for sharing!

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  2. I need to start doing that. The cost savings would be so worth it and it doesn't look that difficult. Thank you!

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  3. I did find similar recipe some time ago, problem was no borax in UK, apparently it is not for sale here :-(

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  4. Agatha - you can order it online :-)

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B003DU5NTW

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  5. I've heard mixed things about borax and how well it works. I use so much laundry detergent I NEED to make my own.

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