Well DH was talking to the neighbor and he said that his wife makes their laundry soap once a year. I guess she uses vinegar?? not sure exactly but its a powder and they save lots of money doing this. I am thinking of trying. Has anyone done this or used any other method??

I have made some before and here are some recipes that I have used...
Homemade Laundry Soap Detergent Recipes
Recipe #1

1 quart Water (boiling)
2 cups Bar soap (grated)
2 cups Borax
2 cups Washing Soda

■Add finely grated bar soap to the boiling water and stir until soap is melted. You can keep on low heat until soap is melted.
■Pour the soap water into a large, clean pail and add the Borax and Washing Soda. Stir well until all is dissolved.
■Add 2 gallons of water, stir until well mixed.
■Cover pail and use 1/4 cup for each load of laundry. Stir the soap each time you use it (will gel).
Recipe #2

Hot water
1 cup Washing Soda
1/2 cup Borax
1 Soap bar

■Grate the bar soap and add to a large saucepan with hot water. Stir over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
■Fill a 10 gallon pail half full of hot water. Add the melted soap, Borax and Washing soda, stir well until all powder is dissolved. Top the pail up with more hot water.
■Use 1 cup per load, stirring soap before each use (will gel).
Recipe #3

Hot water
1/2 cup Washing Soda
1/2 cup Borax
1/3 bar Soap (grated)

■In a large pot, heat 3 pints of water. Add the grated bar soap and stir until melted. Then add the washing soda and borax. Stir until powder is dissolved, then remove from heat.
■In a 2 gallon clean pail, pour 1 quart of hot water and add the heated soap mixture. Top pail with cold water and stir well.
■Use 1/2 cup per load, stirring soap before each use (will gel).

I use the same one from above, except I use soap scraps. I just save the tiny bits from the bars ,and dry them out.
I wonder if she uses vinegar in the rinse cycle as a fabric softner, I do!

Where do you get Borax and Washing Soda? How well does it clean?

I have but I started with homemade lye soap. Then grade it then add water more of a pain. Not sure it saved alot of money.

LeeAnn, it can be hard to find, I find mine mostly at the smaller grocery stores. Do you have a Piggly Wiggly? Thats were I get it. They should be in the laundry isle.
It cleans GREAT, but one caution! I have alot of black pants, I dont use it on those, as it seems to fade them faster. I just use Dawn dish soap on blacks.
Borax is a great natural cleaner, and even kills fleas!

Yes!! she does use it as fabric softner :-D I will have to borrow this book from her or ask her about it because I would like a powder rather then a liquid if possible.

smpt5, thanx for all the great recipes, I will have to try one out!

I buy it on line at Meijers.com, you have to buy it by the case but you can use it as an all purpose cleaner. I use the same recipe and this detergent will clean the dirtest diaper so it is bright and white.

I was with washing nuts. But for the white wash I use a regular soap.

You wash with washing nuts?
What are those? Never heard of them.

:?:

Here is the Powder Detergent

Powdered Laundry Detergent

12 cups Borax
8 cups Baking Soda
8 cups Washing Soda
8 cups Bar soap (grated)

■Mix all ingredients well and store in a sealed tub.
■Use 1/8 cup of powder per full load.

thanx! I think I really may try these

I used to make some with grated bar soap and borax and baking soda (I think. My memory is fuzzy on the process and ingredients). I know I got the recipe online somewhere.

It worked as good as anything storebought, and was cheap. I just didn't like grating the soap up and it made a mess.

Does it suds up? I have a front loader and it can't handle bubbles.

I make a powered version and use 2 heaping tsp. I like that it is thrifty. It does not suds up.

It may not brighten whites as much but (at least for me) but then again, whites were meant for "Sunday best" in the past.

Vinegar is great for fabric softener.

I use Fels and "grate" it in a food processor. Then mix some of the borax and soda (not baking soda) and process it too to blend.

I mix 2 c Borax, 2 c. oxyclean and 4 c grated soap (Castille soap or Lux or Zuds) borax and oxyclean can be purchased at walmart or Publix - castille at the grocery store Zuds I've seen at wm. We've done this for well over two years and have spent - maybe $24

I use
ibar FELS NAPTHA BAR grated
1 cup of washing soda
1 cup borax
mix together...put in air tight container...use 2 tablespoons for a large load...I have to mail order my supplies from soaps gone by .com..Or you can google it...
Mine is a powder when mixed..do not add water to the mix..

MadQuilter, it doesnt suds up!!!!!!!

WOW!! I really need to do this with a family of 5!!!

For washing nuts or soap nuts please look here:http://www.gogreen.cellande.co.uk/sh...s/soapnuts.php

This is what I use for years to do my regular wash.

I buy regular Arm & Hammer Pure baking soda it is for laundry as well. it says so right on the box. The borax soap also at the store, in the laundry section. I use the Fels-Naptha bar soap, it smells so good. You can get that and most grocery stores of dollar stores or MFA. I also add oxy-clean. It makes 5 gallons and for us it lasts about 6 months.

You can use Washing soda or baking soda

Baking soda is a mild abrasive and deodorizer so it works.
and washing soda I dont know what it is but it washes lol.

I use washing soda, borax, and bar fels soap grated recipe and it works good

how neat!!