I am really surprised it isn't more mainstream to make your own laundry soap at home. I mean, we make our own meals to save money and this takes no more time to make than a meal. And saves TONS! I easily found all of the items to make this at my local hardware store in the cleaning supplies aisle. I have also seen them in my grocery store.
In all fairness, it was my cousin Jenna who sent me this recipe but it seemed too fit right in with Kim's awesome pearls of knowledge. And again, for the sake of fairness, Jenna got this from someone else. And the pattern repeats back to the "original" source of the information, which is cited below.
Homemade Laundry Detergent
4 cups hot tap water
5.5 oz bar soap, grated (surfactant)~~I used Fels Naptha
1 cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (builder)
1/2 cup 40 Mule Team Borax (builder)~~I used 20 Mule Team borax since that's what my store had and I didn't really notice the difference before purchase.
Grate bar soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir over med-low heat until melted. Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full with hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda, and borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover, and let sit overnight to thicken. Optionally, add 1/2 teaspoon or more essential oil.
Adapted from www.duggarfamily.com/recipes
5 gallons = 640oz/80oz = 80 cups = 160 half cups (top loaders) = 320 1/4 cups (recommended top loader) = 640 1/8c (front loaders)
$0.003 to $0.015 a load
Enjoy the satisfaction of making your own laundry detergent and saving big money!
