Friday, December 16, 2011

Homemade Laundry Soap

Cost
Lowe's bucket 5 gal - $2.36
lid - $.99 (go figure!)
Fels Naptha - $.99 - I only found at Publix, top shelf stain removers
Washing Soda (55oz) - $2.99
Borax (4lbs 6oz) - $3.99
Cheese Grater - $1 Dollar Tree

Taken from:  http://www.soapsgonebuy.com/default.asp

GREAT TIP:  To keep the liquid detergent stirred up, put a few marbles
in the storage jug.  The marbles will help mix everything and keep it
mixed.

Liquid Laundry Detergent
First Recipe:
3 Pints Water
1/3 bar Fels Naptha Soap, grated
1/2 cup Washing Soda (Arm and Hammer, NOT baking soda though!!)
1/2 cup 20 Mule Team Borax
2 Gallon bucket to mix it in
1 Quart hot water Hot Water

Mix Fels Naptha soap in a saucepan with 3 pints hot water and heat on
low until dissolved. Stir in Washing Soda and Borax. Stir until
thickened, and remove from heat. Add 1 Quart Hot Water to 2 gallon
Bucket. Add soap mixture, and mix well. Fill bucket completely with
additional hot water, and mix well. Set aside for 24 hours, or until
mixture thickens. You may add additional HOT water if the mixture
becomes too thick.  Mix Well before each use. Use 1/2 cup of mixture
per load. Makes 64 loads. Cost per load .03.

Second Recipe:  (This is what I always make, but being in a camper, a little hard to carry around!)
Water
1 bar grated Fels Naptha soap
5 gallon bucket
1 cup washing soda (Again, Arm and Hammer)
1 cup 20 Mule Team Borax
4 1/2 gallons water

Put grated Fels Naptha in saucepan and cover with water. Heat on low
until dissolved. Fill bucket with hot water and add soap. Stir to
combine. Add 1 cup washing soda and 1 cup borax and mix well. As it
cools, it will thicken. If mixture becomes too thick, add hot water to
thin it to desired consistency.  May be used immediately. Mix well
before each use. Use 1/2(normal) to 1 cup per load (heavy). Cost per
load .04.

Powdered Laundry Detergent (Think I may try to keep this handy!  It'd be easier to carry!)
1 cup grated Fels Naptha Soap
1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 cup 20 mule team borax

Mix and store in airtight container or bag. For light or small loads,
use 1 tablespoon. For normal loads, use 2 tablespoons. For heavy loads,
use 3 tablespoons. Cost per load .15.

To make a large batch - grate 6 bars of Fels Naptha Soap and then add 3
cups of Washing Soda and 3 cups of 20 Mule Team Borax.  Mix well and
store in covered container.

TIP: The above recipes will NOT make suds in your washer so don't be
alarmed.  Fels Naptha Soap is a pure soap and typically makes little or
no suds in the water.  This makes it perfect for use in the new HE
washers as well as tradional washers.  You will also notice the need to
either reduce your laundry softener or in most cases you can even
eliminate the use of softener.

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