Making Laundry Detergent

[Deleted]

Here's how we make our own laundry detergent. There are variations to this I'm sure, and some make into a liquid form. We just use in dry form.

This batch I just made cost about $35 bucks, but will do over 1500 loads. With the below, you only use one tablespoon of detergent per load. Next time I'll need to make another batch, will probably be about 5 years

3 boxes of Washing Soda, 2 boxes of Borax and 18 bars of Fels-Naptha bar soap.



For the bar soap, you need to grate as small as you can. You can either use a cheap box cheese grater, or cut up into small chunks, and run thru the food mill. (we use the food mill)






Once all the bar soap is finely grated, add soap, Borax and Washing Soda in a large sealable plastic tote, and mix up.




Once thuroughly mixed, put on lid and store.

[Admin]

Cool project ;D Karma to ya.

[yedi21]

EXCELLENT!!! looks easy enough! I have often thought about taking on this project...no excuses now that I have the "recipe"...

[happersilderness]

Can you still use that food mill for food afterwards? Or is it just for tasks such as that?

[Deleted]

Sept 4, 2012 18:02:36 GMT -5 happersilderness said:

Can you still use that food mill for food afterwards?

Yup, you sure can. You're only grinding up soap, so clean-up is even easier ;D

[patricimo54]

Looks like a great storage project ;D

[hogkiller]

Your "1500 loads" lasts me 2 weeks Charlie,,,FFS!!

I'm sending my laundry to you,,,

[Deleted]

Sept 4, 2012 18:54:48 GMT -5 hogkiller said:

Your "1500 loads" lasts me 2 weeks Charlie,,,FFS!!

I'm sending my laundry to you,,,

Quit doing your kids clothes 4 times a day

[hogkiller]

Sept 4, 2012 20:15:19 GMT -5 @charder said:

Sept 4, 2012 18:54:48 GMT -5 hogkiller said:

Your "1500 loads" lasts me 2 weeks Charlie,,,FFS!!

I'm sending my laundry to you,,,

Quit doing your kids clothes 4 times a day

I did,,there is a full semi trailer that will show up tomorrow,,i'll need those clothes by monday at the latest,,,buddy

[fishleclair]

Good Post!

[Deleted]

Thought I'd bump this. Still have half that same container left from almost 2 years ago.

So, for the first 2 years, I'm out about $17 bucks for doing all our laundry

[derekdutton]

We are fixing to make some with the same exact ingrediants CJ only we are going to cook the fels napth bar into liquid and add some water...Im guessing you like the soap? Do you think you should add anything for smell?

[Deleted]

We don't add anything for smell. Already has a pleasant smell

[ontariotrapper]

Never heard of or seen Fels-Naptha soap here in Canada.

Does anyone know what the metric conversions of this soap is..

I'm thinking dial or ivory?

[daswolter]

We tried this once my wife had issues with it something to due with the residue left in the under garments. I was wondering if the liquid version would be better any one have the recipe for the liquid version.

[stockdaddy]

greeting all

This is my first post. Thank your JC for all the great videos.

I use a recipe very close to this and it works great. Save lots of money and without all the chemicals for those of you with sensitive skin.

For a fabric softener many people use 1 cup of white distilled vinegar per large load. It's diluted enough so there is no smell.

Saves money,makes your clothes smell fresh and no chemicals.

[daswolter]

Here's some soap recipes I found a web site some are liquid some are powdered.

Liquid BottleMaking your own is a discipline and it’s not for everyone, but it definitely saves money–sometimes just costing pennies a load! Before you get started, here are a few tips:
◾For the bar soaps required in the recipes, you could try Fels-Naptha, Ivory, Sunlight, Kirk’s Hardwater Castile, and Zote. Avoid using heavily perfumed soaps.
◾Washing Soda and Borax can normally be found in the laundry and cleaning aisles.
◾Some people with really hard water or well water may have to adjust the ingredients if the clothes look dingy.
◾Although several of the recipes have the same ingredients, the measurements are different–some contain a higher soap to water ratio. Test and see which works best for your needs.
◾You can make huge pails of this at once, or smaller quantities. Also if you can get your hands on a few empty liquid detergent bottles, they work great for storing large batches. Just make a big batch and pour in bottles, cap then use as needed–shake before use.
◾Some of the recipes call for large amounts of water. Check with a local restaurant to see if they have any empty large pails from deep fryer oil–that’s how many restaurants buy the oil. See if you can have one or two of the pails after they’ve emptied it–just wash them out really well before using. They’re big, heavy plastic and very sturdy when stirring the soap and hot water.

Here are ten different recipes you can try, I’ve also added a very useful Frequently Asked Questions section at the bottom of the page. Lots of info here to get you started, good luck!

#1

1 quart Water (boiling)
2 cups Bar soap (grated)
2 cups Borax
2 cups Washing Soda
◾Add finely grated bar soap to the boiling water and stir until soap is melted. You can keep on low heat until melted.
◾Pour the soapy water mixture into a large, clean pail and add the Borax and Washing Soda. Stir well until all is dissolved.
◾Add 2 gallons of water, stir until well mixed.
◾Cover pail and use 1/4 cup for each load of laundry. Stir the soap each time you use it (will gel).

#2

Hot water
1 cup Washing Soda
1/2 cup Borax
1 Soap bar
◾Grate the bar and add to a large saucepan with hot water. Stir over medium-low heat until it dissolves and is melted.
◾Fill a 10 gallon pail half full of hot water. Add the melted mixture, Borax and Washing soda, stir well until all powder is dissolved. Top the pail up with more hot water.
◾Use 1 cup per load, stirring soap before each use (will gel).

#3

Hot water
1/2 cup Washing Soda
1/2 cup Borax
1/3 bar Soap (grated)
◾In a large pot, heat 3 pints of water. Add the grated bar and stir until melted. Then add the washing soda and borax. Stir until powder is dissolved, then remove from heat.
◾In a 2 gallon clean pail, pour 1 quart of hot water and add the heated mixture. Top pail with cold water and stir well.
◾Use 1/2 cup per load, stirring before each use (will gel).

Powdered – Recipe #4

Scoop2 cups Fels Naptha Soap (finely grated – you could also try the other bar soaps listed at the top)
1 cup Washing Soda
1 cup Borax
◾Mix well and store in an airtight plastic container.
◾Use 2 tablespoons per full load.

#5

Hot water
1 bar (4.5 oz) Ivory Soap – grated
1 cup Washing Soda
◾In a large saucepan add grated soap and enough hot water to cover. Heat over medium-low heat and stir until melted.
◾Fill a large pail with 2.5 gallons of hot water, add hot mixture. Stir until well mixed.
◾Then add the washing soda, again stirring until well mixed.
◾Set aside to cool.
◾Use 1/2 cup per full load, stirring well before each use (will gel)

#6

2.5 gallons Water (hot)
1 Bar soap (grated)
3/4 cup Washing Soda
3/4 cup Borax
2 TBS Glycerin
◾Melt grated soap over medium-low heat topped with water, stir until melted.
◾In a large pail, pour 2.5 gallons of hot water, add melted mixture, washing soda, borax and glycerin. Mix well.
◾Use 1/2 cup per full load.

#7

2 cups Bar soap (grated)
2 cups Washing Soda
2 – 2.5 gallons hot water
◾Melt grated bar in saucepan with water to cover. Heat over medium-low heat and stir until dissolved.
◾Pour hot water in large pail, add hot mixture and washing soda. Stir very well.
◾Use 1 cup per full load.

#8

2 gallons Water (hot)
1 bar Soap (grated)
2 cups Baking soda (yes baking soda this time–not washing soda)
◾Melt grated soap in a saucepan with enough hot water to cover. Cook on medium-low heat, stirring frequently until melted.
◾In a large pail, pour 2 gallons hot water. Add melted mixture, stir well.
◾Then add the baking soda, stir well again.
◾Use 1/2 cup per full load, 1 cup per very soiled load.

Powdered – Recipe #9

Scoop12 cups Borax
8 cups Baking Soda
8 cups Washing Soda
8 cups Bar soap (grated)
◾Mix all ingredients well and store in a sealed tub.
◾Use 1/8 cup of powder per full load.

#10 – (Powdered)

Scoop1 cup Vinegar (white)
1 cup Baking Soda
1 cup Washing Soda
1/4 cup liquid castile soap
◾Mix well and store in sealed container.
◾I find it easiest to pour the liquid soap into the bowl first, stirred in the washing soda, then baking soda, then added the vinegar in small batches at a time (the recipe foams up at first). The mixture is a thick paste at first that will break down into a heavy powdered detergent, just keep stirring. There may be some hard lumps, try to break them down when stirring (it really helps to make sure the baking soda isn’t clumpy when first adding). I used 1/2 cup per full load with great results.

Note For Liquid Versions: This will be lumpy, goopy and gel-like. This is normal. Just give it a good stir before using. Make sure to keep covered with a lid when not in use. You could also pour the mixture in old (and cleaned) detergent bottles and shake well before each use.

*If you can’t find Fels-Naptha locally, you can buy it online (check Amazon).

Optional: You can add between 10 to 15 drops of essential oil (per 2 gallons) to your homemade detergent. Add once the soap has cooled to room temperature. Stir well and cover. Essential oil ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil

[308woodsman]

You can make a smaller batch if you Just want to try it by mixing 1 cup borax, 1 cup washing soda and 1 bar of grated fels naphta soap. I have used that recipe many times. Lately I have been using dr Broners unscented bar soap. I have sensitive skin  and don't break out at all using this recipe.