DIY laundry soap....
 

I've seen recipes for homemade laundry soap before but they where for liquids and I just wasn't feeling ambitious enough to melt soap and deal with the liquid storage. Then I came across this powder version, I have to say I just love it!

I've been washing clothes over the weekend and so far it's been great. I just love the smell! It smells like a laundromat! I didn't even use fabric softener and I didn't miss it! I'll post the site that I got it off of when I find it in my bookmarks....:)

Here's mine....This is what it looks like..

Attachment 368650

This is my container.....

Attachment 368651


Here's the recipe:
1- 4lb 12 oz box of Borax
1- 4 lb box of Arm And Hammer Baking Soda
1-3 lb 7 oz box of Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda
1- 3lb container Oxy Clean
4 bars Fels Naptha Soap, grated
2 containers Downy Un Stopables

Mix all the ingredients in a large heavy duty garbage bag. Just close the bag securely and juggle back and forth until completely mixed. Scoop out into containers.


Note: I only used one bottle of the Downy type of product. Two bottles seemed a bit of an overkill, especially at $7 a bottle. I think mine was by Gain. Some people who made this didn't use any of this product. It's basically for scent purposes. If I did the math right ( which is questionable) I figure I will get about 380 loads out of this using the 2 tbsp. measure.

I have used the liquid for over a year now, and it works great but this sounds so much easier,i'm gonna try it :)

It was sooo easy to mix up and the soap grated quickly also. The cost for me was about $22. I think you'll like this!

I've done a similar recipe but hate the smell of Fels Naptha. I've swapped it out for Ivory and like it much better.

Cool, i am going to give this a try.. thanks,
hugs,

Can this be used on frontloading machines?

Yes, I have a front loader. It's low sudsing.

I found the site this came from....

StoneGable: STONEGABLE LAUNDRY SOAP

She says it's perfectly ok for HE machines. She say's to put the soap in the tub with the clothes, which is what I've done. But a poster in the comments section said she is using her soap dispenser and it works fine.

My machine is a top loader that doesn't fill up with water, it just showers the clothes with a spraying, just like you would in a shower. I want to use my soap dispenser but i'm not sure if the grated soap would go through ok or not. my machine says I can use a liquid or a powder, I'm just not sure if *this* would be ok or not. I don't want to gunk it up.

I have used ivory to, if i didn't have fels napa...making this ourselves has saved us many $$$

I am trying this!! I have made the liquid too and hated the smell of the felz naptha. I subsituted castille soap and ivory. This sounds lots easier than the liquid.

I also make my own soap but I omit a lot of the other stuff. I'll have to try it your way. :D
I only use:
A&H washing soda
Borax
Fels Naptha

I also use white vinegar. I just add the soap and throw in a cup of white vinegar and my clothes has a clean "no smell" and it is buttery soft after it comes out of the dryer. :D

I made my DIY laundry detergent today and love it, I did use the recipie above minus the oxy clean, I also add white vinegar to my washable dog diapers when I wash them, and they came out smelling great and soft.. will not got to the store bought laundry detergent ever again...LOL.
hugs,

lol... It smells awesome doesn't it!...I know what you mean about not needing laundry soap again. If I did my math right I will get about 380 loads if I use the two tbsps. I might not have to make more of this until the year 2025! lol I told my sister about this and now she wants the list of ing. :)

By the way, thanks for checking back in with this thread. I was wondering if anyone else made this and if they liked it too!

I am mixing this concoction right now. :) I am using the Purex Lavender Crystals instead of the Downy brand. (cheaper and smells better :D)

I'll let you know how I like the results. :)

I just need to get a pretty container like you though. ;) I'm currently using an old beat up soap box. lol

I hope you like it!....This is like the jar on the web site that has the recipe......

Amazon.com: Tea Jar, Round with Glass Lid 64 oz.:...

I also put the laundry label on my jar like the web site too....It has the bee on it.....

The Graphics Fairy - DIY: Transfer Printable - French Wreath with Bee

I just did mine.....I love the vintage scoop I found in one of my drawers. It holds 2tbsp. so it's perfect!

That is one of the things I was admiring so much! lol I love vintage things. I think i'll go to one of thrift shops here and looks for the jar and maybe i'll get lucky and find a neat spoon too. :D

The label is cute too. I'll post a pic of my set up when done.

I finished buying everything today except the downey un stopables and i could not find it...maybe i will look for the purex lavender crystals

Let me just say....I LOVE IT!!!! :D it turned out great. Gets the clothes clean and smelling oh so good.

Now just to get my jar.....hmmmmm...

Look on ebay they might have one

I saw those in my walmart too, I was wondering if they might work, I love the lavender smell, I will give it a try, let me know if you use them and how they smell.
hugs,

I looked in walmart yesterday, i will go to another one...maybe i can get both and do half in each one, to see which i like better :)

we have saved a lot $ this past year making the liquid, anxious to try the dry

just got back a little while ago and found both the purex and downey unstopable

maybe tomorrow..after supper i have to bake for tomorrow

updating this thread....Is anyone still using this soap?.... I am and I love it!....I don't think I'll go back to premade soap anytime soon!

I am so glad you posted this again lol... I just about finished using my batch from may, so i saved a lot :) i am gonna make it again this week

I am and LOVE IT... it smells so good... it works wonderful for the pee pee pads, I disolve it in hot water and add a cap full of white vinegar and the pads come out smelling great..
hugs,

I had lost my recipe for the detergent...so glad this thread was bumped up!! I am going to make it this weekend!!

I'm glad to see others are loving it too!I love the smell it reminds me of being in a laundromat! :)

I just made another batch a couple of days ago. I used a different Purex scent pellets this time. I love it! My 14 year old son and I had some nice bonding time when we were both grating the fels naptha. lol ;) I honestly cannot see why I would go back to premade detergent.

Me either ;) i got your PM thanks

My ex's ex wife used to use the liquid homemade stuff-it stunk up and heated up the house for like 2 days when she would do it and it leached the color out of all the clothes. HATED that stuff!