Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Make Your Own Laundry Soap

You probably know that most popular laundry detergents are made with derivatives of petroleum and all sorts of other chemicals.  While the smell of Tide is synonymous with fresh, clean laundry in my brain, I knew I wanted to switch to something more natural.

I started with Seventh Generation laundry detergent but I was moving through the bottles very quickly, and they weren't cheap.  I switched to Seventh Generation laundry powder but after some use was wondering if there was an easy way to make laundry soap myself.  A quick Google search came up with a ton of options, all containing the same ingredients - Borax, soap, & washing soda.

I found everything I needed on Amazon...


You can obviously make as much or as little as you want, but I decided to start small to make sure I liked how it cleaned our clothes.  I started by shaving the castille soap (I used lavender scented Dr. Bronner's)...



...until I had 2 cups.  Just under one bar.  Jesse thought it was cheese.  Luckily he has some self control and didn't reach for a handful like I would have.

Then I added 1 cup of Borax and 1 cup of washing soda...


...and mixed everything together.

I use 2 1/2 tablespoons of the powder per load.  I let the soap and clothes soak in hot water in the washer for 10 minutes before washing (I did this with store-bought detergent anyway) to help melt the soap.

I LOVE how it cleans!  The lavender scented soap doesn't make that much of a difference smell-wise (after the laundry is done... it smells amazing before it's used) so I may go with Fels Naphtha or Zote (two brands usually used for making homemade laundry detergent) next time I make this.



Stay clean, stay green, & stay homey!

15 comments:

  1. I can't wait to try this!
    Thanks for the "step by steps" and visuals. : )

    ReplyDelete
  2. Would this work with a front load washer? And what kind of adjustments do you think would need to be made?? Thanks!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I hadn't thought of using the dr bronners soap- I like that idea. I have had experience with the zote and fels-naptha tho and just a warning they are both VERY fragrant. I don't care much for either of them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good to know... the lavender Dr Bronner's is very fragrant too (before it's used) but I love it. It makes my laundry room smell nice without being overpowering.

      Delete
    2. I make mine with Fels Naptha. It has a strong smell in its dry form. The washed clothes don't have a strong scent at all. I have issues with scents and I don't have any problems with our clean clothes. Plus, it cleans the close great!

      Delete
  4. Can you use this with he washing machines

    ReplyDelete
  5. Can you use this with he washing machines

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We don't have a HE washing machine, but I've read that this WILL work for one.

      Delete
  6. This is a great recipe. Yes it will work for front loaders, use a little less that 1/4 cup. Also would like to suggest you stay with the natural soap, check the ingredients in the Fels Naptha...some yuckies in the there I don't want in my clothes and body.... My 2 cents.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great feedback, thanks! I'll definitely stick with the Dr. Bronner's for now!

      Delete
  7. I made some of this laundry soap yesterday...and sneezed the entire time! Tried it out in the laundry this morning, and sneezed as I sprinkled it in the water. Anyone else have a reaction like this? I used Borax, baking soda I cooked into washing soda, and Fels Naptha.

    ReplyDelete
  8. It took me nearly a year, but I finally made this soap today! I am trying it out in my first load of laundry right now!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for taking the time to comment!