While I was in Washington, visiting my family, my ward at church did an activity where they learned to make homemade laundry detergent. My friend, Ginger, spear-headed the whole she-bang, and since I missed it, sent me the directions so I could make it when I got home.
My hub and I did it this week, and I can't wait to use it on my clothes...it was so dang cheap and made so much!
Here's the recipe:
8-12 Cups of Water
1 Bar of grated Fels Naptha soap
1-5 Gallon Bucket ( I got mine at Home Depot...and it's the Martha Stewart line...pretty, huh?)
1 Cup of Arm and Hammer washing soda (not baking soda!)
1 Cup of 20 mule team Borax
4 1/2 Gallons of Water
Put grated Fels-Naptha soap into large saucepan and cover with 8-12 cups of water.
Heat on Medium High until dissolved.
Add 1 Cup of Washing Soda and 1 Cup of Borax and mix well.
Make sure all ingredients are dissolved.
Fill bucket with 2 gallons of HOT water and add soap mixture. Stir to combine.
Add remaining water. As it cools it will thicken. Allow to thicken over night. If it thickens too much, add hot water and mix well. Use 1/2 -1 Cup per load of laundry!
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So, here's the general skinny from my end:
my cute Martha turquoise bucket----------$2.50
Lid for my cute Marth bucket--------------$0.98
Fels-Naptha soap-------------------------$0.97
Washing Soda-----------------------------$3.24 (It'll last me several batches!)
Borax-------------------------------------$2.98 (Again, it'll ast me several batches)
Grand Total for my first batch--------------$10.67
BUT I'll never have to buy the bucket again, and since I only used a Cup of both the Soda and the Borax, I'll only be purchasing the Fels Naptha bar of soap each time I make it forever more...So, rather than spending $20 on my laundry detergent...I'll only be spending ONE pretty little dollar for 5 gallons worth of Clean!
sounds good to me!
try it!
(ps...I bought all of my stuff, with the exception of my bucket, at Wal-Mart (ewww))
Any idea how it works with a high efficiency washer?
ReplyDeleteYes, these types of recipes work great with HE because they are low suds.
DeleteI use this soap for our family except for I don't make it liquid--just a powder detergent using the same ingredients. I did a short tute on my blog about it if anyone wants to hop over http://mengalings.blogspot.com/2011/08/goin-crunchy-homemade-laundry-detergent.html.
ReplyDeleteI use it in my HE machine and it works really well. This homemade detergent is low suds which is perfect for HE machines.
I made this same recipe a few months ago and love it! I have an HE machine and it works great in it. This is the Dugger's recipe. For the HE machines you only use 1/4 cup so it lasts even longer!
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate the pictures and WHERE you got this. I have wanted to make my own laundry soap many many times. I have not done so however, because I had a hard time finding the correct supplies to do so. I will be saving this post, and certainly giving it a try. I love money saving, frugal ideas that help the environment. This will be great for our skin, and great for the machine as well. No dies or perfumes (unless we want them). Now, any ideas on fabric softner :)
ReplyDeleteMartha really does know how to make everything better doesn't she? What a great reminder that I want to do this soon!
ReplyDeleteThat bucket is gorgeous!! I totally want one. I made homemade laundry soap two (?) weeks ago too, except I made the powder version too b/c it's a lot easier to store and it was faster. LOVE how it works!! I had the smell of fels in my nose for the rest of the day, which wasn't such a bad thing. :)
ReplyDeleteAnybody know how to add in a fragrance if desired? And would you use essential oils? Maybe a bottle of fabric softener?
ReplyDeleteTo add scent you would want to use the essential oils.
ReplyDeleteI made mine a few months ago and it cleans great in my HE washer. So much cheaper.
Just awesome!!! So excited to try this!
ReplyDeleteBrooke
www.TheAnnessaFamily.blogspot.com
I've never heard of Fels-Naptha soap. Is it something special? Would any other type of soap work? Any idea on where to get it besides Walmart?
ReplyDeletedo you have winco stores in your area? they have it. most grocery would have it in the cleaning/laundry area.
DeleteHow do the clothes smell after washing them with this? Is there any scent at all?
ReplyDelete@ Melissa: I could not find Fels-Naptha soap either so I used Ivory--basically you want to use a pure soap with out any extra fancy stuff in it.
ReplyDelete@Jill: The clothes come out of the washer smelling faintly of soap, a nice clean smell. They don't really have any scent coming out of the drier, unless you use drier sheets (I do).
i just made it and it did not thicken overnight! :( what's up with that? anyone else have this problem? i did put an essential oil in last night but i can't imagine that that would have anything to do with it.... :(
ReplyDeleteI love your bucket! I featured this at So very Creative in a round-up.
ReplyDeletehttp://soverycreative.blogspot.com/2011/09/homemade-cleaner-round-up.html
You can find Fels-Naptha at Wal-Mart. I'm pretty sure it's around the stain removers/laundry detergents. Are you happy with the way this cleans your clothes? I've been thinking about trying it out but I'm curious if people are happy with it's cleaning power.
ReplyDeleteMost grocery stores carry Fels Naptha in the laundry section, usually on the top shelf (so people can't find it?!). I grew up on Fels Naptha, as a stain remover, so it made sense that it was added to the mix. I've been making the dry powder for almost a year and never had any problems.. even in my HE machine. You can grind the bar up in the food processor. It's noisy, but it grinds it up really well. I keep the machine running while I add the other 2 ingredients so everything is mixed. I store mine in a large Mason jar. If you prefer not to use it in the washing machine, you can also use the mixture as a presoak. Works great either way!
ReplyDeleteAlso... 20 Mule Team Borax can be used in a variety of other ways, if you're looking for a non-toxic cleaner.
We've also been making a version, Ive made liquid and powder but going forward I will stick to powder, Its much less time consuming and I get the same result. I was afraid it wouldnt dissolve completely, but I blended all of the ingredients in the magic bullet until it was very powdery, and have had no problem with it dissolving in cold water. Here's what I did:
ReplyDeletehttp://domesticmother.blogspot.com/2011/10/homemade-laundry-detergent.html
I made mine last night and it is very watery. Reminds me of bath water. Is there anything that I can do to thicken it up?
ReplyDeletemine is pretty soupy too...try shaking it up before you use it! sometimes it settles to the bottom!
DeleteIf a fragrance is going to be used, how much should be added, and when?
ReplyDeleteOK, my friend that uses the scent adds like 8-10 drops to a reused laundry container... hope that helps!
DeleteIf you leave this in its powdered version, how much do you use in an HE washer?
ReplyDeletevivo en Argentina. No tienes idea si se pueden reemplazar esos materiales por otros más universales? Muchas Gracias, precioso el blog-
ReplyDeleteI live in Argentina. You have any idea if these materials can be replaced by others more universal? Thank you very much, lovely blog
Abi,
DeleteI emailed my cousin who is from Guatemala and has traveled to more countries than I can name! Hopefully she'll be able to help me answer your questions!
I'll get back to you when I hear from her!
just made my first batch of laundry soap how does it do with colored clothes?
ReplyDeletefabulous! No worries with colored clothes, it's just perfect!
DeleteI made some of this last night. I'm not sure what I did wrong but it seemed to separate a little bit. There are chunks of gel throughout and when I stirred, they don't seem to break up.
ReplyDeleteHey Amanda, mine sort of separates a little but, too...but I just stir it like crazy before I dump it in my recycled containters...and then I can shake those up before use. I hope that helps!
Deleteis this good for sensitive skin?
ReplyDeleteGreat Tip for you
ReplyDeletereplace the soap with a much better soap.
Mexican Zote or Vel Rosita. they are awesome.
anyquestions about the soap Email me: rmyesbravo@yahoo.com (subject soap) It smells nicer and works better adds extra power to detergent and protects the color. I've never used the recommended soap. I love my choices better.
I have an uber senstive skin child and therefore i makesure i use these soaps instead.