Request: Homemade Laundry Detergent
Archived on 06/11/2009
I have lost my instructions for making homemade laundry detergent. Please help? Thanks.
Nelwyn from Bunkie
Feedback:
RE: Homemade Laundry Detergent
You can locate it online go to, how to make soap at home. Good luck.http://www.wsac.com/soaps/make-soap.htm (01/23/2009)
By Kathleen
RE: Homemade Laundry Detergent
- 5 gallon bucket
- 1 bar of soap, grated or cut into small chunks
- 1 cup washing soda*
- 4.5 gallons of water
- 1/2 cup of borax (optional, which I read adds extra cleaning boost)
*or PH Plus, which is a swimming pool additive available at Walmart stores or swimming pool places, contains 98% sodium carbonate. I couldn't find washing soda in our area, and the sodium carbonate in PH Plus is the same ingredient as washing soda! I saw this tip on television.)
Directions
Grate the soap or make small chunks, and put in sauce pan. Put just enough water in to cover the soap, and cook on low heat until dissolved, stirring often, adding a bit more water if needed while melting soap. Fill the bucket with 4.5 gallons of hot water. Add the washing soda (or PH Plus) to the soap mixture and mix well. If desired add the borax to the contents of the bucket at this time, taking care not to inhale any borax dust. Your detergent will be watery at this point, but will thicken as it cools. Let sit for 24 hours. You'll have a wonderful Jello-y detergent that works great! Use 1 or 2 cups per average load of laundry, adjusting the amount as needed.
(01/23/2009)
By theroadrunnerla
RE: Homemade Laundry Detergent
On my recipe for making homemade laundry detergent, I realized I wasn't too very clear in the instruction part. Here's the correct steps of adding products. Hope this makes my goofy, earlier instructions easier to understand. And if that "Bunkie" is in Louisiana, allow me to say hello neighbor, I live not far from Baton Rouge!
Melt soap, then add washing soda (PH Plus) to the soap. Borax can be added at this time to soap mixture. Then add soap mixture to hot water in bucket.
(01/23/2009)
By theroadrunnerla
RE: Homemade Laundry Detergent
Is this recipe for the front loading washing machines that are supposed to use HE laundry soap or for top loading washing machines? Thanks.
Bobbie from Mesa, AZ (01/26/2009)
By BMA1
RE: Homemade Laundry Detergent
This is the recipe that I use for my top loading washer.
Laundry Powder Mix
Ingredients:
1 bar Fels Naptha Laundry Soap - Grated
3 cups 20 Mule Team Borax
3 cups Arm and Hammer Washing Soda
Instructions:
Use 1/3 cup per wash load. (I, personally use 6 Tablespoons.) Run water into washer. If washing colors, run some hot water first to dissolve the powder, then switch to cold or warm water. Then, add clothes.(01/27/2009)
By majorw
RE: Homemade Laundry Detergent
Here's one recipe for homemade liquid laundry soap. I got the original recipe from this site for a friend. I adapted it for smaller batches because she can't lift anything heavy. Now I'm going to copy the powdered laundry soap recipe for her.
Homemade Laundry Soap Ingredients, Full Batch
- 2 gallons Water (hot)
- 1 bar Soap (grated)
- 2 cups Baking soda (yes baking soda not washing soda)
Ingredients, Half Batch
- 1 gallon water, hot
- 1/2 bar soap, grated
- 1 cup baking soda
Ingredients, Quarter Batch
- 1/2 gallon water, hot
- 1/4 bar soap, grated
- 1/2 cup baking soda
Instructions
Melt grated soap in a saucepan with enough hot water to cover. Cook on medium-low heat, stirring frequently until soap is melted.
In a large pail, pour hot water. Add melted soap, stir well.
Then add the baking soda, stir well again.
Use half cup per full load, 1 cup per very soiled load
Note: add 1/4 to 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide per load for extra whiteness. (01/27/2009)
By JustPlainJo
RE: Homemade Laundry Detergent
Just made the homemade laundry detergent, first time trying it, so we'll see what happens. Instead of the fels naptha bar soap, I used the castile lavender soap for an added scent. Don't know if it works as good, but am willing to try. lol I love the idea of making my own laundry detergent plus I love the idea of saving money, too. (05/18/2009)
By catielady09
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