A friend told me about how she started making her own laundry detergent and I was immediately intrigued! Why would anyone do that? It seems to be such a complicated process, what with all the special qualities laundry soaps have nowadays...boosters...whiteners...brighteners!
Then she told me that she pays about 3 cents per load. She got my attention.
I was a bit skeptical...my husband has allergies to certain fabrics and detergents so I thought I'd give it a try and not tell him-a REAL blind test! If there was no immediate itch and it cleaned well, then we were home free!
So here goes...
Supplies:
1 large soup pot
a wooden spoon
1 bar of Fels Naptha Soap
1 cup of Super Washing Soda
1 cup of Borax
1/4 cup of Baking soda
1-5 gallon painter's bucket with a lid
Fill the soup pot with water almost to the top...the amount of water doesn't really matter...the point here is to dissolve and blend the ingredients.
Shred the bar of soap either by hand or in a food processor and add to the pot
Measure all of the other ingredients and add them all to the pot.
Stir until all ingredients are dissolved.
Turn off the heat and let pot cool slightly.
Pour contents of pot into painter's bucket.
Fill soup pot with warm water and fill the painter's bucket almost to the top (about 3 ").
Stir to blend.
Stir to blend.
Cover and let sit over night.
Contents of bucket will become a gel.
You can decant it into a smaller container for everyday use.
Use 1 cup (8 oz.) per load of laundry.
Makes about 80 cups.
Cost:
Borax (76 oz. box) $3.60 $0.40 per BATCH
Super Washing Soda (55 oz. box) $3.89 $0.64 per BATCH
Fels Naptha $1.59 per bar
Baking Soda (76 oz. box) $2.89 $0.18 per BATCH
*prices vary on products-these are estimates...I think the soap is cheaper
Total cost per batch $2.81 from which you get approximately 80 loads at $.03 per load!
It must be gentle because my husband had no itching and when he saw the cost savings he became a huge fan of it! It cleans really well and has a nice light fragrance.
Ideal for front load and HE washing machines because it is a low lathering detergent.
Ideal for front load and HE washing machines because it is a low lathering detergent.
Gel in the bucket 
