Homemade Laundry Detergent

On July 27, 2010, in Self-Sufficiency, Skills, by Country Survival

Making your own home made laundry detergent is one of a way that you can save cost especially saving a lot by not sending your laundry to the laundry shop or buying expensive laundry detergent.

It is really a personal preference, and some might think its just really a big hassle to make it yourself. This is a laundry detergent that does not have the harsh chemicals, dies, and perfumes (like the commercial products) that is is really sensitive for some people.

What you need:

1. 1 bar of soap (Fels Naptha, Zote, Ivory)
2. 1 box of Arm and Hammer Washing Soda (available in the laundry area
3. 1 box of 20 Mule Team Borax
4. A five gallon bucket that has lid on it
5. Three gallons of tap water
6. A big scoop or spoon to stir the ingredients
7. A measuring cup
8. A knife or grater

homemade laundry detergents Homemade Laundry Detergent

The Borax cleans, disinfects and softens the water. Arm & Hammer Washing Soda works on grease and neutralizes odors. The Fels Naptha Soap is a heavy duty laundry soap bar & stain remover.

Do not buy Arm & Hammer Baking Soda in place of Washing soda. They are two different products that are not interchangeable and results will vary if substituting one for the other. Also, grate the soap first this is so it dissolves better in the wash. The finer it is, the quicker it dissolves. Keep in mind this is the most time consuming part of the whole thing after that its a breeze.

Homemade detergents produce low suds; you will not see many suds in the wash. No worries, this is normal and your clothes will still come out clean. You only need 2 Tablespoons of laundry soap per load. This roughly comes out to about 1/8 cup.

Method:

1. First of all you need to boil about four cups of tap water using a pan on your stove until it is almost boiling.
2. You can start shaving the bar of soap into strips by using a knife or grater and put it directly into the pan of boiling water.
3. After you have shave or grate the whole bar of soap, you need to stir the hot water until it is dissolved and it become highly soapy water.
4. Then, you need to put three gallons of hot water into the five gallon bucket. Mix it with the hot soapy water and stir it for a little while before adding a cup of washing soda.
5. Stir it up to a minute or two, before adding a half cup of Borax. Then, stir it again for a few minutes and let the ingredients mix together overnight.
6. The next morning you will be having a bucket of gelatinous slime where by using only 1/8 cup is all it takes to do a batch of your laundry.
7. If you want a scent other than the soap smell, you can add an ounce of essential oils.
8. Please bear in mind that this mentioned method might not be suitable for most front loading washers, while the Super Washing Soda is also not recommended for usage on wool or silk.

Compared to liquid Tide, the cost of homemade soap is about 1/16th of the cost of liquid Tide.

Note from Lucy: I found this recipe for homemade laundry soap and knew it was for me... I have been cutting down on expenses because of the economy... I am using my own homemade fabric softener and now I have found a great homemade laundry detergent.... It is so much more cost effective and it does a great job...You might just want to give it a try... Have a great weak everyone...