Friday, April 1, 2011

Frugal Friday - Homemade Laundry Soap

This is a recipe I have not made myself, but have used. I saw no difference in the freshness or cleanliness of my clothes after using it. It's extremely cost effective. One batch makes enough for SEVERAL loads.

Homemade Laundry Soap
4 cups Hot Tap Water
1 Fels-Naptha Soap bar(I have seen recipes that say any bar soap you have will work I have not tried it though)
1 cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (NOT BAKING SODA)
1/2 cup Borax

Grate the bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir Continually over Medium-Low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.

Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.

Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap then fill the rest of the way with water. Shake before each use (will gel).

Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: Lavender, Rosemary, Tea Tree oil.

Top Loading Machines: 5/8c per load (approx. 180 loads)
Front Loading Machines: 1/4c per load (approx. 640 loads)


Let me know if any of you try it and what you thought!

1 comment:

  1. I've used the dry version. Not as cost effective, but much quicker and easier to make. Just grate soap bar & mix all dry ingredients together. I think it is 1 Tblsp (maybe 2) per load. Works fine.

    I like the jelly beans and music on the blog. :-)

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