Home made laundry soap
 

Have you ever considered making your own laundry soap? It is much cheaper and it works fine for me. You can Google for it, or here is the recipe that I use.....In a very large bowl combine 1 cup 20 Mule Team Borax, 1 cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda (NOT baking soda!), Mix WELL. Now add 1/2 bar of Fels Naptha soap, OR 1/4 of a bar of Zote soap, shaved on your microplane zester, or a good grater. This is a little time consuming but worthwhile I think. Also, this is optional but I add 2 or 3 TBs of Purex Crystals, for the scent. Now, you will need to mix 5 minutes, to make sure everything is completely mixed. I use a slotted large dipper type tool to stir, and to lift it up and allow to sift through. Store the mixture in an air-tight container. Use 2 TBs for a medium load of laundry. Use 3 to 4 TBs for a heavy load, very large load or extra dirty. You will NOT see any suds, so don't be surprised. I would have listed all of this in a regular list, but my computer wouldn't let me do a "return" at all. I mostly use warm or hot water (although it is not really hot in my new washing machine!) and it dissolves fine. If I am doubtful that it will not dissolve I add my "soap" to a cup or more of boiling hot water and stir. Then add to the washer (this is for loads where I want to use cold water). You can find all these items in the laundry/bath soap section of the store. (If they stock it). I usually find them at WalMart.

I would like to edit the above post...I gave the wrong amounts for the shaved soap(s). Use 1 full bar Fels Naptha OR a half bar of the Zote soap. Sorry!

I use the same recipe except I buy the Zote in flakes. I also use 1/2 cut of white vinegar in the rinse. It leaves the clothes nice and soft and they smell so fresh.

I also make my laundry soap and save lots of money doing so. Mine is liquid uses the same basic ingredients and makes 10 gallons for about $1.25.

I have been making mine for a couple of years. I bar of zote soap but I put it through the food processor grate blade and then dump it into a bowl and put in the mixing thingy and put it back into the food processor and pulverize it into tiny balls, and then add the borax and washing soda and pulverize all of that. The other measurements aren't exact. Sometimes I get to the end of one of the boxes and there is a little more, so just dump it in. So far, it has worked great for us. Never have seen the Zote in flakes. That would be something to try.

Thank you for providing us with the "recipe". I have been thinking about making some but just haven't had time to look it up. One of the ladies at PT was talking about using it. Will have to give it a try!!!

I make my own powdered soap.....2 cups of soap flakes, 1 cup of Borax, 1 cup of Oxyclean, and 1 cup of Arm and Hammer Washing Soda. I also add a few drops of Lavendar oil... It works very well..

I do not make my soap but remember my Mother and Grandmother made really large batches of what they called lye (?) soap when I was growing up. It must have been something really special because other family members seemed so happy when they were offered a bar and I don't recall anyone ever turning one down. The women just talked about how shinny it made their hair. I think it must have had hog fat in it as they always made their soap around the time my Dad and Grandfather slaughtered a hog. I haven't thought about this in years so thanks for the memories. And, does this sound familiar to anyone else? LOL

GranJan, this is the recipe I use as well. Recently added a cup of OxyClean to the mix as well. I really like it until I run out and have to make some more....:shock: like tomorrow for the next batch of laundry to do. I'm a farm wife and DH's jeans get really dirty...hot water and this soap gets the surface dirt out....manure stains well that's another story. City gals really don't know what dirt is.
canmitch I like the idea of adding the lavender...Thanks.

This is something I want to try. Thanks for the encouragement!

I've used the same formula for about three years now. It saves a lot of money!!! More for FABRIC!!!

Does anyone use this recipe with a front load washing machine?

Sounds like an easy recipe, thanks!

I'm curious if those of you who use these various recipes have 'hard' water? With all the phosphates taken out of detergents; soaps; shampoos; etc., our clothes are no longer getting clean. We were away recently to an area where the water is 'softer' and the clothes came out much cleaner. Granted, a different brand of detergent but I don't really think that is the issue. I think in our case it's the mineral content of the water. Looking into a water softener system of some type at this point.

My step daughter makes hers and it uses less powder than store brought ones to do laundry with, cleans just as well too.

She uses the he front loader too.

I tried this a couple years ago but by the end of the batch all my clothes felt like the had a buildup on them, didn't really feel clean.

I've been using the food processor method for about 3 years now. Can make a 3 months supply in about 20 minutes. Make my own fabric softener ,too- due to skin allergies .Rash cleared up after I started making my own.

How much do the ingredients cost to make the soap and how much mixture does it make to get the final cost of $1.25 per 10 gallons.....

I make my own laundry soap now for about 2 years. What I like best is that I don't have to use fabric softner in the wash or the dryer and now my towels actually absorb the moisture when you use them. My recipe makes a huge batch so I don't have to do it too often.

How do you make the fabric softener?

I have used biodegradable soap since about 1961 Amway and Shaklee. a few years ago I began using a laundry ball. love it I bought it from Mystic Wonders, Inc. I also have the balls for my dishwasher. for info on these you can go to www.mysticwondersinc.com I love my wonder water stick for plants & cleaning from there also. no need to buy windex anymore. this does the job. I use it for cleaning spots on my carpet too.
I recently read that Washing Soda should be used to clean all your clothes - even before you wear them I also love Oxyclean I had some blue embroidery thread bleed when doing "Walking in a Winter Wonderland". after trying many things to remedy the situiation I soaked it in Oxyclean It did a very good Job.
Another product I love is a glass nail file. Do not buy the cheap ones. Have used these for many years now.
Guess I could go on and on I buy products from Global Light Networks love many of their products but my favorite is Bentonite Living Clay. You can use it to drink, or topically. use it for many, many things. you can stop bleeding, bathe in it. it will help you detoxify, The clay is 25% off until evening of the 21st. I believe even free shipping.
globallightnetworks.com for more info.

I have used biodegradable soap since about 1961 Amway and Shaklee. a few years ago I began using a laundry ball. love it I bought it from Mystic Wonders, Inc. I also have the balls for my dishwasher. for info on these you can go to www.mysticwondersinc.com I love my wonder water stick for plants & cleaning from there also. no need to buy windex anymore. this does the job. I use it for cleaning spots on my carpet too.
I recently read that Washing Soda should be used to clean all your clothes - even before you wear them I also love Oxyclean I had some blue embroidery thread bleed when doing "Walking in a Winter Wonderland". after trying many things to remedy the situiation I soaked it in Oxyclean It did a very good Job.
Another product I love is a glass nail file. Do not buy the cheap ones. Have used these for many years now.
Guess I could go on and on I buy products from Global Light Networks love many of their products but my favorite is Bentonite Living Clay. You can use it to drink, or topically. use it for many, many things. you can stop bleeding, bathe in it. it will help you detoxify, The clay is 25% off until evening of the 21st. I believe even free shipping.
globallightnetworks.com for more info.

I should add: Diatomaceous Earth - this can even be used to kill scorpians! I bought Pure Diatomaceous earth which is food grade. One can then ingest this and it will kill parasites in you. for the food grade call 505-243-1460. You can buy the regular kind which you can use outside at seed or farm stores. It is not dangerous google it when insets crawl over it , it will feel sharp to them and they will dehydrate and die. good for those nasty things that eat your hosta plants !

A few months ago, I bought all the ingredients (there aren't many, but I bought them all) to make by own laundry detergent. I grated the soap, measured everything out, stirred it all together and . . . could NOT stand the strong smell of the mixture. I so wanted this to work, but I ended up tossing the whole smelly mess. It didn't smell bad, just very, very strong. :(

I use the 1 cup each of borax, washing soda and one bar of Fels Naptha soap. Works great. The soap bar is easy
& quick to grate using my Pampered Chef mandolin. No suds. I also use glass nail file. Love it.
Does anyone make liquid detergent? How is it? Recipes I have read seem complicated to make. Anyone have
a simple recipe? My daughter has a high efficiency washer.

I have been making my own soap for a few years now and it works better than any commercial brand. I use cold water for most of my washing and no problem with dissolving. I have gotten so many people started on this. Costs less than a penny a load. Oh be careful with Oxyclean in it, i found it caused some color change in some clothes. So now I am careful what I add it too. I do it as a booster. If you have a front loader it works great but only use one T. Enjoy and think about how money you are saving!!!!!

I've been making this soap for several years now. I found the recipe on line called Duggers laundry soap. My son's family, my daughter's, and my husband and I use it. I make a batch that fits into a 5 gallon bucket and store it in the closet for all to use. They fill their jug 1/2 way with the mixture then fill the other half with water. It works great

I have made this also.,Love it. However, I put the bar soap in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Break thebar into six pieces ad heat. It will bubble up like foam. Remove, let cool for a few secs, then crumble with your hands. Works better then grating/

Arm & Hammer detergent is eco-friendly and the best detergent to use with septic tanks. Also recommended for high efficiency machines, which I have. We also have a water softener. The clothes smell great and they are soft!

I am happy.
Sandy

If anyone is in the least bit interested, my niece, Becky Rapinchuk, wrote a book "The Orgnically Clean Home". It is absolutely unbelievable. It says on the front page "150 everyday organic cleaning products you can make yourself - the natural, chemical-free ways. Google Becky Rapinchuk - Clean Mama.net. Her ideas are unbelievable and son of a gun, they work. From laundry soap to towels that clean the dirt of dogs feet in muddy weather. Sure is a heckuva lot neater than hanging a dirty towel in the hallway.

Give it a look-see and you can get the book at Barnes and Noble and Amazon (I think). So well worth the money.

Edie

I make the liquid version of this recipe.

I have been making my own for about 2 years. I just made my 3rd batch and it cost me under $20. I use one large box of Borax, the large box of washing soda, large box of baking soda, large box of Oxiclean , 3 shaved bars of Fels Naptha and 1 bar ivory soap shaved. I bought a plastic storage box that has a airtight seal to store it in. I dumped everything in the box, put on the lid and shook it good. I have a front loader and have had no problems. I did notice that I needed to use a bit more that what the recipe indicated which was 2-3 Tablespoons. I took the measure cup from the Oxiclean and cut it down to the size I wanted.

Boy I'm with you on this. We live on the family farm, plum all 5 of my men work on cars, 2 of them off the farm as they jobs one changes oil all day and the our works on them so you can see the oil and grease that come home for me to get out. I like to idea of OxyClean add to the mix Will gave this a try. I have been making my soap in the slow cooker I put the dry things and a part if the water [ just to full the cooker]. mix it as walk by. them when it is well mixed I move to the storage pail and add all the water and mix again and as need.

I've made lye soap as did my mother and mother in law. Yes it is made with fat, aka mostly hog. It can be lard or meat fryings. There is a cold method and a cooked method. Lard was rendered in a very large kettle over an open fire at hog killing time. It has been so many years since I made lye soap I don't remember how I did it. Since our culture has moved away from the use of animal fat in cooking, I think it has become a lost art. Ah the memories. Thanks for reminding me.

I like the soap recipes, but want to know how to make fabric softener also. I haven't been using softener since I got my front loader more than three years ago. The clothes come out of the machine so dry, they need very little time in the dryer or on the wash line.
It doesn't really need softener since all the soap residue has been spun out. But I might try some anyway.

I have not seen the Zote flakes...Good idea! I will look for some.

Have you checked for that at Google?

I use this mixture with my front loader.

I Googled and found this recipe for softener:
http://www.lizmarieblog.com/2013/08/...ndry-softener/