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!