Okay, I know this is a strange post – to be all about laundry soap – but come on – I’m a mom of four … soon five! Needless to say, laundry is a *big* part of my life. I mean, a BIG part. A daily, annoying part.
And today, while doing the 40th load of laundry since Christmas, I stopped to put the fresh-smelling laundry soap in the washer and realized it’s been a LONG time since I’ve had to buy ‘store-bought’ laundry soap. Over three years! How fantastic!
**edited to add an additional recipe**
It saves SO much money.
It smells so fresh and simple.
It’s super easy to make.
And did I mention it saves money?
I can’t imagine how much laundry soap I would be buying at the store if we didn’t have our homemade laundry soap!
So I thought I would share the recipe again. And spread the laundry lovin’, since I know we’re probably all in the same boat. I know a lot of you might appreciate this recipe! (I have posted it before when I first heard about it from this website) but am posting it again for new readers.)
Powdered Laundry Detergent- for top loaders
1 Linda soap bar (or you can use Sonlight or whatever laundry soap bar your local store sells)
1 Cup – Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda* (I found this at No Frills here in Orangeville)
½ Cup Borax (can be found anywhere!)
-Grate soap or break into pieces and process in a food processor until powdered. I use a cheese grater!
Mix all ingredients together. For a light load, use 1 Tablespoon.
For heavy or heavily soiled load, use 2 Tablespoons.
This recipe will do about 30 loads. Awesome, eh?
**Edited to add what to do for front loaders**
My BFF uses the POWDER version on her front loader and it works just fine, but if you are looking for a liquid version … here you go! Use the same recipe as above … but you are going to make it liquid …
– Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.
Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. It will gel.
If you want to make your soap a scent, you can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled but I haven’t done that yet.
This recipe will make makes 10 gallons!! So be prepared to store it!
For top load machines, use 5/8 Cup per load (which will do you for 180 loads!!).
For front load machines, use ¼ Cup per load (about 640 loads!!!).
This makes a TON! I have done the liquid version once before but found the powdered version fine for my top loader.
{This was a gift for a friend – I store my soap in a much larger jar in the laundry room.}
Wouldn’t start my new year without this lovely recipe. Have fun laundering! 😀
P.S. 21 weeks pregnant! How fun is that?! Flying by!!!
by Gigi
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