[goodwithagun]

I have been making my own laundry soap for years:

1 bar Fels-Naptha, grated 2 cups washing soda 2 cups Borax

1 tablespoon per load, large or small, will do. I do add more for my husband's work clothes. He's a firefighter and it takes a little extra to get that smoke smell out of the clothes he wears under his gear.

[dynachrome]

A variation if you like liquid detergent, via http://www.survivalblog.com

Homemade Laundry Detergent — Makes Enough for About 180 Loads

1 Bar - Fels Naptha soap ($1.29 for a 5-1/2 ounce bar)
1 cup - Washing soda $3.99 55 ounce box (do not confuse this with baking soda)
1/2 cup - Borax ($3.49 for a 76 ounce box on sale price, regular price is $3.99) This is the old 20 Mule Team brand, and this can be found at Wal-Mart.)
1 - 5 gal. HDPE plastic utility bucket with lid. These are often available free from bakeries, or approximately $4-tio $5 at [Sam’s Club or] Wal-Mart, or your local paint store)

Grate the Fels Naptha soap into small pieces. You can chop it with a knife, cheese grater, or food processor. Heat four quarts of water in a large, heavy saucepan on top of stove and add soap, stirring constantly till melted. This will take a while depending on the size of your grated pieces. Meanwhile, fill the five gallon bucket half full with warm water. Add the 1 cup of washing soda and the 1/2 cup of Borax and stir well. When soap is melted pour into bucket, then continue to fill bucket with warm water until full. Stir well and let sit overnight until cool. This “concentrate” will thicken as it sits. Stir before using. Now, I use this concentrate straight out of the bucket and use 1/3 cup per large load.

[ShadowAce]

What is “washing soda”? I’ve never heard of it.

[RC one]

Interesting, my inner chemist can't wait to try this out. My inner penny pincher is equally eager.

4 cups of water. • 1/3 bar of cheap soap, grated. • 1/2 cup washing soda (not baking soda). • 1/2 cup of Borax (20 Mule Team). • 5-gallon bucket for mixing. • 3 gallons of water. First, mix the grated soap in a saucepan with 4 cups of water, and heat on low until the soap is completely dissolved. Add hot water/soap mixture to 3 gallons of water in the 5-gallon bucket, stir in the washing soda and Borax, and continue stirring until thickened. Let the mix sit for 24 hours, and voila! Homemade laundry detergent.

[lack-of-trust]

no, no, no,,,,

first you steel the bags of fat from the Liposuction Clinic...

[philly-d-kidder]

Thanks

[Liberty Valance]

Interesting. Thanks for posting.

[Habibi]

The article implies that soaps and detergents are the same. Chemically, that’s untrue. They both clean though, and there’s really nothing wrong with using soaps in place of detergents. The disadvantage to soaps is that they tend to form a soap scum, which the washing soda alleviates. You’ve seen this as the white scum in sinks after using soap. There’s nothing wrong with it, but for folks that have sensitive skin, it can cause skin irritation. Detergent can be just as irritating, or worse.

If the washing soda doesn’t take care of the soap residual problem, you can remove it by running another rinse cycle with just a bit of acetic acid (white vinegar) in the water. This should put the residual back into solution and remove the irritant. It seems like a bit more trouble, but it is invaluable to those with skin problems.

[verity]

Two rocks and a shallow stream is also an option. ;-)

[Dallas59]

I found a number you can call to find out where you can get washing soda...

Call this phone number 1-800-524-1328 and have the UPC code 33200-03020. The service will ask for your zip code and then tell you places in your area that sell the item. I believe this service will locate most items if you have the UPC code number. My area said the Kroger store.

The lady was real helpful. She did ask for your address and phone number...but you don't have to give it.

[My hearts in London - Everett]

Thanks so much for posting this, goodwithagun! I’m going to check into mixing up a batch to try it! I buy Seventh Generation detergent currently, which is a little pricey.

[IYAS9YAS]

We use this formula. We got away from the detergents and make our own. It’s a lot cheaper, and cleans better than anything we’ve used prior. Plus, it’s septic system approved.

[surelyclintonsbaddream]

I just started with the same 3 months ago. Much better for the machine, the septic system, and the clothes.
It smells wonderful too and is cheaper.

[ExTxMarine]

Are these safe to use in HE washers? In other words, do these create excessive soap bubbles which can harm the HE system?

Thanks.

[goodwithagun]

Also, I use distilled white vinegar instead of fabric softener. It does just as good a job, it’s an additional way to eliminate odors, and it keeps the machine clean.

[Dallas59]

Where to find Fels-Naptha, Borax...

[JoeProBono]

[4everontheRight]

I have used grated Ivory Soap, Borax and baking soda as washing powder for months in my HE washer...works fine as far as I can see.

I could never find the arm & hammer super washing powder in my area....upstate SC.....
I also buy the cheapest fabric softener I can find and then water it down in the dispenser and it lasts for months! I buy maybe 2 bottles of fabric softener a year this way.