Thursday, February 4, 2010

Homemade Laundry Detergent

I've been wanting to make my own laundry soap ever since I saw the directions for it! I finally got all my ingredients together! So, today's the day!!! I'm so excited!


Here's the recipe:

1 bar soap (I used Fels-Naptha) $1 per bar online
4 cups hot tap water
1 cup washing soda (not to be confused with baking soda!) $3.99 online
1/2 cup borax (found on just about any laundry aisle) $3.99 Wal-mart

Grate the bar of soap and add to saucepan with 4 cups hot tap water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until it dissolves and is melted.

Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda, and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved.

Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken. This will make a gelled substance.

Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (it will gel, like egg drop soup consistency) This is a low-sudsing soap. If you do not see suds, that is ok. It is not the suds that clean, but the ingredients in the soap. You can also add 1/2 - 1 oz. of an essential/fragrance oil such as citrus, lavender etc.

Makes 10 gallons! (I've been saving my detergent containers for a while now!)

Top load machine: 5/8 cup per load (approx. 180 loads) $.01 per load!
Front load machine: 1/2 cup per load

UPDATE: I LOVE my new soap so far! I don't think I'll EVER buy commercial laundry soap again!

6 comments:

mama2ryleigh said...

Cool! I've known different people that have used this recipe (including both my sister & sister-in-law) & I've gotten varying opinions on it. Some say they love it, but that you have to really treat your stains before washing for them to come out. Others say that it doesn't really get their clothes clean. I'm still debating about trying it for myself, so be sure to let us know how it works for you.

Bethany said...

I made the powdered version of this, and we really liked it. We found the Fels-Naptha and Washing Soda at a grocery store, but Walmart didn't have it. My recipe called for 2/3 bar of soap, and that didn't get stains out like I like, but when I used the whole bar, it did. Even baby stains! We were happy with it. If you have a really yucky load, you can add some bleach for colors, or a scoop of oxiclean. And yes, you have to treat your stains, but I have to with any detergent!

David and April said...

BTW: Cool idea on the laundry detergent. I know Marianne makes her own too! And I saw your poll on here and I must admit I stole the question and put it on my blog too! I check yours pretty regularly! ;)

Unknown said...

I'd like to hear how this works for you. I certainly would like to try it if it works well.

Kara Plank said...

So far, I LOVE the soap (but maybe it's the new honeymoon phase!?) I added a few drops of pumpkin essential oil & wow! <3

Missy said...

Kara, you are awesome!!! That is so cool that you did that. Would love to make it with you...or even see you!!! lol!