I surprised myself, and made laundry soap. I've been thinking about it lately since commercial detergent is so expensive. So I looked for recipes, and found quite a few. I modified some of them, and finally settled on the following:
Ingredients
1/2 bar of Ivory soap (can use Fels Naptha or other bar soap)
1/2 cup of washing soda
1/2 cup of Borax
2 gallon bucket
Directions
Grate soap, Put the soap and 3 pints of water in a medium sauce pan on low. Heat the grated soap, and water together till the soap dissolves. Add the washing soda and Borax. Stir well till mixture turns thick. Turn heat off.
In a two gallon bucket pour one quart hot water. Add soap solution mix well. Fill the rest of the pot with hot water to make two gallons. Let set for 24 hours till thick. Use 1/2 cup per load of laundry. I washed a stained bedspread and it came out great.
I had this recipe given to me: 1 c grated soap ( 1/2 c Zote and 1/2 c Fels Naptha) 1/2 c Washing Soda 1/2 c Borax Essential Oils for Scent (Optional) In a stockpot: soap and 6 c. water. Heat till soap melts. Add Washing Soda and Borax, stir until dissolved, then remove from heat Add 4 cups of hot water and stir. Then add 1 gallon + 6 cups water and stir. Let soap sit 24 hours, it will gel. Stir well before use. 1/2 c to 1 cup per load.
1/2 cup of liquid castile soap (can purchase on amazon or find it at Target in the cosmetic section for 13) 1/2 cup washing soda (online at soapsgonebuy.com or amazon or in a local store in the laundry section) 1/2 cup borax (online at soapsgonebuy.com or amazon or in a local store in the laundry section))
mix togther in a 2 gallon container, add hot water to fill the container & stir. You will have to shake it up before each use because it will settle.
1 cup grated soap (laundry soap like Fels Naptha or Ivory bar soap is fine) 1/2 cup Borax 1/2 cup Washing Soda (only by Arm & Hammer.)
use 1 TBLSP for med loads, or double for large/heavy soil.
NOTE: No one else mentions this, but grating soap is DANGEROUS to your lungs. Even measuring this out will get soap up your nose. I now do option 2:
Equal parts Borax & Washing Soda. Use 1/3 cup in wash. I also add Nature Bright Laundry Brightner by Shaklee to soften and whiten/brighten. (2 Tbsp large load) You can order it at www.healthyhomeworld.com I realized the Washing soda works just as well without the soap, and it was easier than grating soap for an hour! It is the main ingredient in biodegradable laundry detergents, and has disinfecting qualities. My older son and husband have sensitive skin, so this seems to work the best for our money!
Login using the form on the top of the page to post feedback (if you are a registered user). If you have not yet registered, click here to do so. It's FREE!.
Archives:
Request: Homemade Laundry Soap
Archived on 02/25/2009
We were talking about making homemade laundry soap. Does any one have a recipe for it?
Kddid from Springfield, MO
Answers:
RE: Homemade Laundry Soap
Here are two options:
1 cup grated soap (laundry soap like Fels Naptha or Ivory bar soap is fine)
1/2 cup Borax
1/2 cup Washing Soda (only by Arm & Hammer.)
use 1 TBLSP for med loads, or double for large/heavy soil.
NOTE: No one else mentions this, but grating soap is DANGEROUS to your lungs. Even measuring this out will get soap up your nose. I now do option 2:
Equal parts Borax and Washing Soda. Use 1/3 cup in wash. I also add Nature Bright Laundry Brightner by Shaklee to soften and whiten/brighten. (2 Tbsp large load) You can order it at www.healthyhomeworld.com I realized the Washing soda works just as well without the soap, and it was easier than grating soap for an hour! It is the main ingredient in biodegradable laundry detergents, and has disinfecting qualities. My older son and husband have sensitive skin, so this seems to work the best for our money! (07/12/2006)
