Disclaimer: Before I type this post, I must add that I am “no” homemade laundry soap expert. This is not the first time I have tried my hand at making homemade soap. However, they did not seem to produce the desired results. The first time I tried making liquid homemade soap (both laundry and hand soaps) they were a big fat failure. Way too slimy and not effective. After many failures though, I feel like I do have the right hand on it this time.
Homemade Powdered Laundry Soap
1 cup Borax powder
1 cup Super Washing Soda (not baking soda)
2 bars Fels-Naptha bar soap (I like to double the soap for added effect)
Essential Oil (if desired)
Grate soap bars finely (I usually use my food processor for this step). In a large bowl, mix grated soap with Borax and Washing soda. Or if you are using a large enough jar for storing, just put everything in a give a good shake. Add 10 – 15 drops of essential oil such as lavender, if desired. I skipped this step because I felt like the Fels-Naptha soap is already very strong on its own.
It turned out to be about 4 cups of powdered soap. I use about 1/4 to a 1/2 cup depending on how big the load. Like I said, I want our clothes cleaned. Check out the effects after using it in the wash.
Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap
1 cup borax
1 cup Super Washing Soda
1 bar Zote soap (14 oz)
2 TBSP Dr. Bronners Magic Liquid soap (optional)
Essential oil (10-15 drops)
1 five gallon bucket (I used a three gallon, that is what I had on hand)
Grate Zote bar. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add in the grated soap and stir until it melts and looks nice and creamy. Fill the bucket half way with warm water. Pour in the melted soap mixture and stir well. Mix in the Borax and Washing soda. Stir very well. At this point, add essential oil and Dr. Bronner’s Magic soap if using, then stir well. Fill the bucket to the top with more warm water. Again, stirring well. Cover and let sit overnight or until the mixture has gelled up. Not hardened (see the photo below).
Note: Some people like to add more water to double the amount. I find that the mixture is way to watery. I like to leave mine at the gelled step since the soap dissolves in the wash anyway. I want to ensure that my soap is effective and not watery. So far, I think it is working!
I got about 2 -1/2 full bottles of 100 fluid oz each (used an empty All Free and Clear liquid laundry soap bottle to store). Give the bottle a good shake when ready to use. And I use 1/4 to 1/2 cup in the wash (or just a cap-full), depending on how large or dirty the load.
This is the liquid soap effect after a wash. This throw blanket below had a hug red Popsicle stain on it (I forgot to take a before photo). But the stain washed away very well.
Have you tried your hand at making any homemade laundry products. I would like to hear your comments and suggestions.
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness (Proverbs 31:27, KJV).
This is fabulous!! I’ll be pinning to try out soon 🙂 Love making fresh, affordable products from home.
Thank you so much Renee!!! Hope it turns out well for you!
I’m not much of a DIY person when it comes to laundry detergent, but it looks like you had great success this time. I’m so glad for you. It seems to clean real well. I may have to bite the bullet and take the plunge.
I’ll share more about that on my hit or miss next Wednesday. I’m sharing a DIY project that I tried. 🙂
Seems to work well this time…..try it Alli!!!
DIY detergent is a big thing right now. I made some recently with my daughter. It was fun! She uses it exclusively.
I am obsessed with making whites whiter. I add the detergent plus a little bleach and then oxy clean, then I run them through 2 rinse cycles to be sure the bleach is out. Then I hang them on the line to sun dry. I’m working way to hard! I need to go ahead and make my own detergent too!
Ahhh..that is great! It is always great know is in the things you use. I don’t makw them regularly enough though! I also have oxyclean for stains and whites!