Monday, March 12, 2012

Laundry Soap Tutorial


Yes, I am addicted to Pinterest.  It sounds like I am as well as everyone else.  I came across making your own laundry detergent.  I thought about it and I decided to try it myself.  Laundry detergent is very pricey so I thought I would give my own a try.  I checked out numerous blogs to decide how to make it.  I decided to go with the liquid version of detergent since that is usually what I use.  I used a little from each blog and created my own mix.

Products you need to make your own detergent.

  • A bucket to mix your ingredients in. I used a 5 gallon Lowes bucket. A 2 gallon will work, but the detergent will be at the top of it. 
  • 1/2 cup of Borax.
  • 1/2 cup Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda.
  • 1/3 Fels Naptha Laundry Soap
 Cut the bar of Fels Naptha Soap into thirds.
Use 1/3 of the soap.  Save the other thirds for the next round of making detergent.


Finely grate 1/3 of the soap.
It should look like shredded cheese. (Remember it is soap so don't eat it.)
Dump grated soap in a pot with 6 cups of water.  Heat on low until the soap melts. Make sure you don't let the mixture boil. 

Then once all the soap is melted, add the washing soda and the borax. 






 Stir until it is dissolved.


 

 Keep stirring until the mixture thickens, then remove from heat. 

 Pour 4 cups of hot tap water into your bucket. 

Add the soap mixture and stir it up.
 



Next, add one gallon of hot tap water plus 6 more cups.  This is why I used a 5 gallon bucket so the sloshing didn't get all over my floor.  Stir for a few minutes (or have your interested son stir for a little while) and then let it sit overnight. 

The next day the soap will look funny. 
Mine was runny, but clumpy.  Bubbles were on the top but clumps were in the bottom.  This is normal.  It depends on the type of soap you use and the weather.  
 The detergent is all finished!  
Woohoo!  
You will need 1/2 cup scoop for load.  
This detergent costs 1 cent per load.
You can use it straight out of the bucket you made it in or you can stir it some more and funnel it into a rinsed laundry soap bottle.

7 comments:

  1. Thanks so much for hosting the party. I too like all the blogs in one place.

    April
    Wolfelicious

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  2. I've never made soap before. I wonder if this would work in H.E. washers?

    I found your blog through the linky party. I love linky parties, too!


    Michelle
    Teach123

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    Replies
    1. Hi! I had never made it before either. This was my first time. It was pretty easy. I believe it does work in H.E. washers. I would only use 1/4 of a cup though. I am so glad you found my blog. Thanks for becoming a follower.

      April
      Wolfelicious

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  3. I am your newest follower! I hope that you will come check out my new blog. enrichingkinders.blogspot.com

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  4. Wow, I love that you made this!! I am always looking for ways to be frugal, but also I want to be as green as possible. I live in an old Hawaiian neighborhood that does not have a traditional sewer system. All of our run off goes right into a cess pool:P I use baking soda and vinegar for cleaning most of my house and even washing my hair!! I will definitely try this!! My latest love is coconut oil for cooking, lotion and even deodorant(with a little baking soda). All natural, gotta love that:) I am your newest follower:)

    Corinna
    Surfin' Through Second

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  5. Corinna,
    I am glad you read my blog! Thanks for becoming a follower! Goodluck with the detergent. It has been working well for me.

    April
    Wolfelicious

    ReplyDelete