That single batch of laundry soap kept us in clean clothes and towels for an entire year. Here's the last of it, which I scooped out last week:
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| 1-2 Tablespoons per load does the trick |
Just 3 ingredients: a box of borax, a box of washing soda, and a bar of Fels Naptha soap, grated. No plastic involved (except the tub I keep it in) - all the ingredients come in paper or cardboard containers.
Here's the clincher: that batch of soap cost about $12 to make. Not bad for a year's worth of laundry!
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P.S. Fels Naptha soap also makes a great stain stick. Just wet the article in question and rub the soap into the problem area before washing. If you can't find Fels Naptha in your area, try Ivory, Zote, or any laundry bar soap.
P.P.S. If you're concerned about about borax and potential toxicity, see this informative post from Crunchy Betty.
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Wow. Definitely economical. Do you think it would work in a high efficiency machine?
ReplyDeleteFrom what I've read, it probably will. It's very low sudsing (in fact I don't think it makes suds at all), and that seems to be the key with HE detergents.
DeleteP.S. Also check out what this blogger has to say:
Deletehttp://www.diynatural.com/homemade-laundry-detergent-soap/3/
Definitely cheap enough. We were told a couple of years ago by a machine repairman that the worst thing you can use is powdered laundry detergent as all the fillers will clog the motor of your machine and burn it out. Since then we have been using only liquid. This, however, just might be worth a try if there are no fillers in any of these products. (Off to check it out.)
ReplyDeleteNo fillers at all! Here is a link which touches on that subject (scroll down to the "Safe for Septic Tanks" section):
Deletehttp://www.diynatural.com/homemade-laundry-detergent-soap/3/
Homemade laundry soaps are very low sudsing (if at all), so they are great for HE machines.
ReplyDeleteWe recently switched back to liquid Tide after a year of homemade laundry soap to try to combat some staining issues,the laundry soap I made just isn't getting the clothes clean, but I have a sneaking suspicion that it is really a failing washer not getting the clothes clean...
Thanks for commenting! We've had really great results with this mixture, but I can understand you switching back to something that worked better for you.
DeleteI'm amazed by the longevity. I'm glad you posted this update so we can see just how long it lasts. I suppose if our grandmas used something similar for all their washing, it can't be a bad thing!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what our grandmas used - probably something more like straight soap from a big yellow bar! We're awfully spoilt nowadays. :)
DeleteI should give this a try! I seem to do so much laundry and both of my kids have been long gone!
ReplyDeleteWe probably do an average of 3-4 loads a week. I don't separate colours; I just do all the towels and pillowcases in hot, and clothing in cold or warm. Everything gets tossed in together by temperature, which probably saves us a load or two. :)
DeleteYou never cease to amaze me! I'm off to read up about borax although for one crazy minute I had visions of blue borage flowers. Whoops!
ReplyDeleteBorage is good too, but probably not for laundry. ;)
DeleteI made this last year after you posted about and I have loved it! It just simply feels fresh. Thanks Sue!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! I'm glad it worked out for you. :)
DeleteI am nearly out of my laundry soap, I think I am going to have to make some. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete(My Mom always had a bar of Fels Naptha for stains).
Good luck with it, Beth, and let us know how it works out.
DeleteRepeat of another question... How about High Efficiency machines? I fear they wouldn't do so well. -sigh-
ReplyDeleteAuntie - see the replies above - apparently it can work for HE machines as it's very low sudsing. :)
DeleteI was tempted to try this when I previously noticed your post. What size boxes of each do you use? Thinking about ?? ask by others - I have a front loader and think the small amt used per load would be ok in the liquid soap dispenser. I often use color safe dry stuff and always put that in the same dispenser with the liquid soap then the water filling machine mixes it all together without a problem. I don't always use the High Efficiency liquid - buy what is on sale - and never had a problem. Thanks for jogging my old memory about this!
ReplyDeleteI think Borax only comes in one box size - 76 oz. (Or maybe there are other sizes out there, but this is the one we always see in supermarket laundry aisles.)
DeleteArm & Hammer Super Washing Soda comes in a 55 oz. box and can also be found in laundry aisles or on Amazon. (Don't confuse it with Baking Soda - totally different product.) :)
Thanks for this info. I like quantities (oz, cups, etc) so the "recipe" will turn out right. I will be trying this asap.
DeleteI have used this recipe for over two years in my four year old HE front loader - it works GREAT and I have as good or better results with this than the liquid detergent I was using (at $15 per bottle). I probably make 4-5 batches a year for our two person household and I wash a lot of sweaty golf shirts in our SC summers. We also have a septic system and all these products are very safe for septic.
ReplyDeleteI started making this because I am sensitive to some detergents and fragrances, and wanted to cut costs and use more environmentally products. I will never go back.
BTW, if you have an HE front loading washer do some internet research of proper loading and amount of detergent to use. Most people do not fill the washer correctly and use far too much soap product. I cut the number of loads I do in HALF by properly loading my washer.
Best, Jean
Thanks for the personal recommendation, Jean! It's good to hear from someone with an HE machine who actually uses this. :)
DeleteI thought when you showed us this last year it was a good idea, now I know it was. I wonder if it's a good bet for us though ... I have to be really careful as my son has the most horrendous eczema ... a spot of research beckons methinks!
ReplyDeleteHappy washing day Sue ;D
Thanks, Annie. I think the borax and the washing soda would probably present no problems - but you might want to find a soap that is fragrance-free and very mild.
DeleteSue, I'm so glad you reposted. I've been making this since your last post, and other than starting the washer with hot water (just enough to dissolve the dry mix), I switch to cold to finish filling the tub for virtually all my laundry. I also use more like 1.5 to 2 Tbsp per full load and have been very happy with the results as well as lack of fragrances and extra packaging - and so economical. Thanks again for letting us know about this!
ReplyDeleteSo glad it's worked for you, Ginnie! I use 2 Tbsp for nearly every load - but having just read the "recipe" on other websites figured I'd better give the amounts they recommend.
DeleteWow, I love that this lasted you so long!! I've been making the liquid version for about a year and love it!! Okay, I like it a lot, I don't love making it!! :) But I love not having to pay a lot for detergent and one batch makes 4 gallons so it lasts a long time...I love that, too!! Thank you for the Borax article, too. That was really interesting! :)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! How's life in SoCal? :)
DeleteI am interested your liquid version. Would you mind to share how to make it? thanks.
DeleteI don't make a liquid version, but you can find some "recipes" on the internet. Here is one example:
Deletehttp://wellnessmama.com/462/homemade-laundry-detergent/
You can google "homemade liquid laundry detergent" for more results.
Good luck! :)
I was just discussing Fels Naptha bars with someone at work. It was my mothers all purpose cleaning product. I'm going to see if I can find it. Fleet Farm?
ReplyDeleteGosh, I don't know if FF carries this - they certainly might. Wal-Mart for sure - also many larger grocery stores. We get ours at a store called HyVee in Madison but I know it's available all over the place. Look in the laundry aisle. :)
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