My Homemade Laundry Detergent

[Anthony Fasolo]

Hello All and Sundry;

A number of months ago, I tried my hand at making homemade laundry soap. I had been concerned about all the excess packaging, chemicals, artificial scents and needless expense of laundry detergent and wanted an alternative. So.... I looked about on the internets and found that there are STILL many people who make their own laundry soap. I was a bit skeptical at first, but since the cost to do so was miniscule, and it was remarkably easy I figured it couldn't hurt to try.

Needless to say, I was wonderfully pleased with the result! The experience itself was fantastic in that making the soap filled the house with a wonderful smell that is indescriblable (providing you use Naptha Soap). The cost per load is a fraction of what commercial soap costs, but the real test is the results! Our clothes come out just a clean and without all the chemically false smells of "summer rain, springtime fresh, or lavender vanilla's" all of which never really smell real.

So, here is the recipe and have a go at it, you will not be disappointed .

Home Made Laundry Soap

SOURCE: http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/laundrysoap.htm
CATEGORIES: Household Cleaning
MAKES: 64 loads

INGREDIENTS:

1/3 bar Fels Naptha or other type of soap, (available in most supermarkets in the laundry area.)
1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 cup borax powder
~You will also need a small bucket, about 2 gallon size~

METHOD:

Grate the soap and put it in a sauce pan.  Add 6 cups water and heat it until the soap melts.  Add the washing soda and the borax and stir until it is dissolved.  Remove from heat.  Pour 4 cups hot water into the bucket.   Now add your soap mixture and stir.  Now add 1 gallon plus 6 cups of water and stir.  Let the soap sit for about 24 hours and it will gel.  You use ½ cup per load.

Optional: If you want your soap to have some sort of scent you can scent this with ½ to 1 oz. of essential oil or fragrance oil of your choice.  My favorite scent is orange essential oil.

[Hilary Homer]

Martha would be so proud of you, Anthony!

I too am stunned at how expensive laundry detergent is, and the scents are truly offensive (if spring rain and mountain breezes really smelled like that, I'd move to another planet). I've been adding borax to my laundry as a detergent booster for a while now but can't wait to try this. Thanks for the recipe!

[Anthony Fasolo]

It's a pleasure! I have to make some more too and I've been waiting for a cold day when all the windows need to be shut, just so I can keep that wonderful smell inside as long as I can! Have fun!

[Shawn]

The only caution I would give, is that you will need a large bucket to hold your finished soap, and something you can use to scoop it out with. The soap has a slippery consistancy when your finished, and you will need to stir it before you use it. So I would recommend saving your old laundry container and refilling that, then give it a little shake before using.

[Marian Boutet]

I just love stuff that is simple, cheap, and works. And thanks for the link to the family homestead.

[Sheri Tehan]

As an aside, Fels Naptha can be used to prevent a poison ivy outbreak. If you have come in contact with poison ivy wash exposed areas with FN as soon as possible. It can remove the plant's oils from your skin.

[Shawn]

Oh that's a good thing too know! I did not know that. Thanks Sheri :)

[Cheryl Bertou]

Thanks so much for posting this. I'm going to try it as soon as I can!

[MacClurg Vivian]

Hi Anthony, I just stumbled across your homemade soap. Qustoin. the last gallon+6 cups water that you add, is that also hot or will tap water do?

[Anthony Fasolo]

Hi Vivian;

For the last batch of water at the end I just add cold water. It seems to help it set up quicker. Stir it up good then let it sit for a few hours. Every now and a again stir it up because it will set real good and you might find that you may need to add a bit more water if it seems to thick. Then after 2 hours or so it is set to go! Good luck with it!