Thursday, March 19, 2009

Homemade Laundry Soap

I have wanted to make my own Laundry Soap for some time now and finally got around to purchasing all the supplies! I know many people make their own and I am behind in the game, but , hey, it's never too late, right?
I'm sorry, I can't remember where I got this recipe; somewhere in blogland!
This recipe calls for
1 box Borax (4lbs.)
1 box Arm and Hammer Washing Soda (4lbs.)
1 box Arm and Hammer Baking Soda (4lbs.)
3 Bars Fels Naptha (grated)
(I use one grater specifically for soap ~ do not use for food items after.)
A few drops of essential oil of your choice may be used, but I didn't use any because of the fragrance of the Fels Naptha. I didn't want too many. I didn't notice any fragrance after washing and drying~just nice and clean!
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Mix all ingredients and store in an airtight container.
Use 1 Tablespoon for light soil
2-3 Tablespoons for heavy soil or hard water.
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1/2 C. white vinegar makes a good fabric softener (leaves no smell!)
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"Let thy garments be always white."
Ecclesiastes 9:8


13 comments:

Heather said...

i will have to try this! when you use the vinegar for fabric softener, how do you add the vinegar? i have one of those downy ball things, could i just pour my vinegar in that so it will be released at the appropriate time?

Lady Farmer said...

Heather ~
My machine has a cap at the top of the agitator that is for fabric softener. Or, just have great timing with the rinse cycle! :~O
You could just put it in the wash cycle but I think it will dilute the effects. Vinegar won't hurt anything, so go ahead and try it in your ball. I don't know how those work! They are smarter than I am! How do they know when it's the rinse cycle? Wonders never cease!
Blessings!

crochet lady said...

That sounds interesting. Sometimes I have been adding a little borax or soda to really soiled items along with my regular det.

I've been wondering if there was something homemade I could use. Thanks. I'm going to mix up a batch and give it a try.

Jennifer said...

Believe it or not, I've never even heard of this idea. Neat idea, though. Like your verse, too.

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Hello Lady Farmer! I have thought about making laundry detergent a while back and even looked on-line for ideas. Now that you posted with a recipe, I think I'll give it a try.

A couple of years ago, my dog had gotten fleas. My groomer suggested I sprinkle Borax on all of the carpeted areas and work it into the fibers and leave if for a day or two. Apparently, the Borax suffocates the fleas. Whatever it did, we got rid of the flea problem.

Heather said...

thank you for letting me know! i think i will try it in the downy ball and see how it turns out. maybe i'll try it on some towels first, lol.

Mama B said...

Ooh, right up my alley! I'll be giving this a try soon.

Sue said...

Hello,
I am so glad to finally have this recipe, Thank you for sharing.
Blessings,
Sue

Cheri said...

I have been using a recipe very similar to this and am pleased with the results and the cost!

Lavinia said...

Wow, I had no idea one could make one's own laundry soap! Thank you so much for this. You know, I always have a box of arm and hammer and a box of mule team borax handy, which I use to sprinkle in my maching along with my regular laundry detergent. I always thought of these items as detergent enhancers. I am going to try this, if I can find naptha....I've never seen it though. I wonder if sunlight laundry bar would be the same thing?

Mrs. E said...

Dearest Lady Farmer,
How WONDERFUL!! Thank you for taking the time and effort to give the formula and present it with great pictures... I so look forward to giving this homemade laundry soap a try! Awww.... what a rich blessing to have sweet friends like you who encourage women in the delightful art if homemaking!!!

Hugs & Blessings,
Miss Jen

Melody said...

You can use other types of soap too. I've tried mine with Ivory, it works fine, but doesn't dissolve quite as well.

Anonymous said...

What a neat post, Raeann! I would have to try this some time. I wish I had read this post before I went out and bought this huge box of detergent!!!! :(