One of the numerous, out-of-the-box ways the Duggars save money is by making their own liquid laundry soap.
Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap
Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap
(Front or top load machine-best value)
Ingredients:
4 Cups - hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar*
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda**
½ Cup Borax
Directions:
-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. (will gel)
-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.
-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.
-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)
-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)
*Visit the Fels-Naptha website to find a store in your area that carries the product.
**Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" - in some stores or may be purchased online here (at Meijer.com). Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!
4 Cups - hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar*
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda**
½ Cup Borax
Directions:
-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. (will gel)
-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.
-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.
-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)
-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)
*Visit the Fels-Naptha website to find a store in your area that carries the product.
**Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" - in some stores or may be purchased online here (at Meijer.com). Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!
For more Duggar recipes (including reviews and variations), visit our Recipes page.
What kind(s) of laundry soap do you use?
Hi Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteBorax is the thickener--are you sure you put enough in? If you're sure you did, we recommend you stir the mixture well and then let it sit for another day.
~Lily and Ellie
I use the powder version memtioned above. I start with hot water to disolve the soap and borax. Then i switch to cold water and put the laundry in. Works ok for me.
ReplyDeleteFels Naptha heavy duty laundry soap bar Review can be found here
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners/441-FelsNapthaHeavyDutyLaundryBarSoap
Or by going to EWG.org. (Environmental Working Group)
It lists ingredients, ratings, and concerns with use. Very good source of information!
i made 1 of the laundry detergent recipes-but did not add the water.
ReplyDeletemix it all up in a 5 gallon bucket-put the lid on and rolled/mixed it all up. use just as regular dry powdered flakes. also let the zote bar soap air out and dry so it is much easier to grate.
Judy.
@QFchoas
ReplyDeleteyou can use this on cloth diapers, sensitive skin, and baby's laundry. It is a great detergent.
Honestly, I cube the soap and dump it into my food processor/ blender. It saves all of that grating time. LOVED THE RECIPE! WORKS FANTASTIC
ReplyDelete:-D
I'm excited to be using this recipe. ButI I'm having a problem using it in my front load he washer. It has started not releasing the detergent from the dispenser into the washer. My washer manual says it could be a water pressure issue but we've checked that. Anyone habe that issue? Juat wondering if it has anything to do with the clumpiness of the detergent.
ReplyDelete@BusyMommyOfSix
ReplyDeleteI made this once---months ago, and still have some. It works great. I did not dilute it to 10 gallons. Followed the recipe to make the five gallons and let it gel. I then just use half of the suggested amount. Works great.
@Cathy H.
ReplyDeleteI've done that and had no problems. Just use half the amount suggested. Works great. I'm about to make another batch.
I read on another site that has this or a similar recipe that you should not make this in a pot/pan that you will later use for cooking. But, the three ingredients are commonly used for washing dishes--by hand or dishwasher. I have been cooking in that pot since with no problems, but this note from the other website has me wondering. Is there a potential problem in cooking in a saucepot that previously was used to make this homemade laundry detergent ? THANKS !!!
ReplyDeleteI'm just curious why the powder recipe and the liquid recipe have the same exact amount of ingredients but the liquid soap does so many more loads. Can you use less than a TBSP of the powder per load?
ReplyDelete@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous 11,
Due to the water added to the liquid recipe, it makes 10 gallons of detergent. The powder recipe only makes 3 cups of detergent because you don't add water.
Hope this answers your question:)
Lily and Ellie
I made the liquid detergant and I am very pleased with the cleaning of it with my colors and my whites and I had fun making it! I gave it to my neighbors (most are Amish) for Christmas gifts, and it was well liked :-) I will make it again, and again. Thanks for sharing Debi
ReplyDeleteCan you use any bar of soap? I was wanting to use Bath & body works Eucalyptus Spearmint bar soap. Not sure if I can.
ReplyDelete@Jason Carnes
ReplyDeleteHi Jason,
The Duggars use Fels-Naptha, and so do we, but readers have mentioned substituting other soap bars (Zote, Ivory, Johnson baby soap). If you try Bath & Body Works, let us know how it turns out.
Lily and Ellie
I just read through a few blogs, and I just want to comment on the HE washers and laundry soaps. I have had my washer for 15 years and recently had to have it serviced. The service man said the worse thing for these machines is too much suds. It can get into the motor, etc. and cause problems. I have made the dry version of laundry soap for awhile, and he said it should be just fine since it creates very little suds. I use approx. 1/4 c. per load. Hope this helps!
ReplyDeleteI was given this "recipe" a while back now and Just LOVE it! The only thing I do different is use a cup of borax rather a 1/2 cup.. makes my whites and brights brighter! Im about to buy a new HE washer tho and a little nervous but we shall see... and instead of bleach, add a little Borax to the load with vinegar... I have given this recipe to everyone and they all love it too... I have since started "green cleaning"... saves money on cleaners, house is cleaner and I dont have to kick my kids out of a room because I am cleaning... AND they get to help which helps me and makes them feel important.... Anonymous 199... did you use hot or cold water when making it?
ReplyDeleteMade this recipe twice. Works great. I add 1 cup Oxy to the batch. To everyone who has wondered: LEAVE IT CONCENTRATED! Use half as much per load. Less work, less space required. WORKS GREAT!
ReplyDelete@Haleigh Of Course it is the same!! Let the machine add the water!
ReplyDeleteLove your recipe ..
ReplyDeleteFor my 2013 Family Christmas Gift this year, I made my family members a 5 gallon bucket of Laundry Detergent and filled an empty Fabric Softener Bottle with Laundry Detergent ...
I did it a little different, but still the same recipe in the end... I cut the recipe ingredients in half, and followed the directions.. the only difference is... my 5 gallon bucket was 1/2 full to set overnight to gel (because the recipe was cut in half) ... I stirred the gelled detergent the next morning (actually used a mixing paddle with my drill) ... then added water to equal 5 gallons in the bucket ... now everything is already measured and it's 5 gallons ... I store it in the 5 gallon bucket and fill up an empty fabric softener bottle as needed ... the lid/top on the fabric softener equals a 1/2 cup ... plus there is a spout for pouring ... I even made a label for the bucket and one on the Fabric Softener Bottle ...
Thank you for the recipe.
@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteMake sure you never mix vinegar and bleach. I made this mistake on our towels. It created chlorine gas and the smell would not come out with rewashing. We finally laid the towels out on the concrete and soaked them in hydrogen peroxide and left in the sun. This did the trick but turned them yellow. So then we washed them several more times and then bleached them again. All is back to normal now. WHew!
I just tried to put this link in a Facebook comment regarding our favorite laundry soap recipe, and FB blocked the comment, saying this link contained harmful content. Guess they don't want people to save tons of time and money while avoiding potentially allergenic or damaging scents and chemicals. We love your recipe and have used it for several years now. Thanks for the blessing!
ReplyDeleteHello, and thanks in advance. I'm about to make this formula, but I would like the finish product to be liquid no gel, in that way my wife don't have to shake it, she has arthritis and is very hard on her, anyone can tell me if the final product can be liquid like the soap you buy at the stores?
ReplyDeleteI made this yesterday for the first time and it gelled from top to bottom of the bucket! I am so happy with how this turned out. I liquified it and its thick and perfect all the way through
ReplyDeleteI am really excited to start using this and making all my own detergents and cleansers
thanks!!
for my whites to be whiter I put peroxide in my load of laundy its the best at getting stains out as well and it doesn't eat up the fabric like bleach does ive been using this recipe for 2 yrs now and love it
ReplyDeleteCould someone tell me if this has any scent to it? Most scents...perfumed deodorants, sprays, shampoos, detergents, bar soap, candles and lots of cleaners give me sinus headaches...for days. Thanks!
ReplyDelete@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous 26,
The laundry detergent doesn't have any scent to it. Some people, including the Duggars, choose to add essential oils, but that is optional.
~Lily and Ellie
I made this for the first time last night. It was so simple and gelled nicely. I have my first load with this soap in the wash right now. Thank you for sharing this Duggars <3
ReplyDeleteIt's very easy and cheap recipe!! I'll try it this evening.Thank youuu:)
ReplyDeleteCan I go ahead and make my batch and add the essential oil later to my batch if I want?
ReplyDelete@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous 30,
The essential oils can be added right after the soap has cooled or later on, if you prefer.
~Lily and Ellie
I have made this approximately five times, and the last two times I have made it I doubled both the Washing Soda and Borax. This works better in my opinion and it definitely gels up. I use a paint mixer attached to my drill to stir the contents during the actual detergent making process and it works awesome! After it gels, I then hit it again with the paint mixer to bust up the clumps and work it all together. I hope that this is helpful to some :)
ReplyDeleteHi we live in Ireland is there anywhere that sells these ingredients for the homemade laundry soap other than online?thanks
ReplyDeleteQuicker and easier recipe:
ReplyDeleteBoil 10 cups of water, whisk in 2 cups of Borax; 2 cups of washer soda; 2 cups of undiluted BLUE Dawn (only the blue dawn will work); and 1 cup of oxygen cleaner (any brand), then add all of the dissolved mixture to a 1 gallon container, fill the rest of the way with cool water, and put the top on. This recipe can be used right away. For HE washers cut the Dawn, washer soda, and Borax down to 1 cup, but leave the oxygen cleaner amount the same.
I've used the Duggars' recipe for several years but use a half bar of Grandma's lye soap instead of Fels Naptha. The Fels Naptha's scent is too strong for my husband's allergies. I add a squirt of Dawn Dishwashing liquid (the blue kind) when washing white clothes. That helps prevent the dingy look. The powder form is easier for me to store so I chop up the lye soap with a knife as finely as I can and then add all to my food processor to make a powder.
ReplyDeleteCan anyone tell me how any recipe yields 10 gallons when you are mixing it all in A 5 GALLON BUCKET????
ReplyDelete@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous 36,
After mixing the detergent in a 5 gallon bucket, you fill empty containers with one part detergent, one part water, so you end up with 10 gallons. :)
~Lily and Ellie
The liquid is very easy to make. The only water you measure is the 4 cups to melt the grated bar of soap. After that it just filling up to half full of your bucket and then finish filling after all ingredients have been added. I have 3 used liquid detergent dispensers that I got from a friend and just refill them. I have been making this soap for several years and like it fine. The Fels-Naptha has a lemony scent, so I like it best. I have used the one that is pink and it was good as well. If I can save money while washing our clothes and get them clean, I'm all for that.
ReplyDeleteOk I read every single comment and did not see this question--
ReplyDeleteIs this safe for septic systems??
@Lily and Ellie
ReplyDeleteYou can get Fels-Naptha in the laundry aisle at Walmart for 97 cents
For those of you who think its hard to sit and stir it till dissolved, go to Home Depot, get a paint stirer to put on ur drill and let the drill do the work for you. I have a bad back and shoulder so thats what I use to stir it in my 5 gal bucket.
ReplyDelete@dthneece IF YOU CUT THE BARS INTO SMALLER SQUARES YOU CAN USE A FOOD PROCESSOR TO GRATE THE SOAP. ALSO MY GRAND MOTHER KEEPS A BOTTLE OF STORE BOUGHT ASPRIN UNCOATED ON TOP SHELF IN HER LAUNDRY ROOM SHE SAID IF YOU ADD 2-3 TABLETS PER WAS LOAD IT HELPS WITH HARD WATER AND BRIGHTENING UP COLORS AND WHITES.HOPE THIS HELPS.
ReplyDeleteI have used this recipe and one for dry soap and the dry soap is much easier to make, store and use. Plus Ivory is the cheapest on the market and I use that instead of Fels.
ReplyDeleteAfter I use up all the liquid soap I made, I will be makin the dry kind next time. I made dishwasher tabs with some if the same stuff. Love it.
ReplyDeleteHello, I am from Australia, and am not familiar with Fels-Naptha soap bar and Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
ReplyDeleteCould you kindly tell me what they are, so I can find a substitute? thanks so much
@beno6
ReplyDeleteHi beno6,
Fels-Naptha is a brand of heavy duty soap that comes in a bar and is often used to pre-treat stains. Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda is a detergent booster.
Blessings,
Lily and Ellie
Question! I seem to remember on the episode where the Duggars made this that they diluted it TWICE. They made the recipe, let it sit overnight, and then they poured half into another 5 gallon bucket and then filled each with hot/very warm water which gave them 10 gallons. I assume that this may be easier than diluting with every load of laundry. Has anyone done it this way? Which would you recommend? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI love this recipe. I've been using it for two years. Prior to making this my daughter had reactions to most store bought brands. This is the first laundry soap I was able to use on her clothes that didn't cause rashing or hives. Our clothes always come out nice and clean.
ReplyDeleteI made this last night, when I woke this morning it had not gelled/thickened. Any suggestions?
ReplyDeleteMine did that, had to add more borax sit overnight and was good then
ReplyDeletemy mom made a soap and it also uses arm and hammer super washing soda and borax!!! So funny I am not sure what else had in the soap
ReplyDeleteI have been using Liquid Tide with Febreeze. However, I have purchased all of my ingrediants to make your Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap. My question is this: Can you use a regular bar of deodorant soap like Dial? I love your show. I cried when Michelle lost her last little girl. I love your family. I hope your show last forever.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous 52,
You can substitute other laundry soap bars, such as Zote, but we do not recommend using deodorant soap bars.
~Lily and Ellie
I can't believe some are saying their clothes are dingy with this soap!! Ours came out cleaner and brighter than ever!! Even without bleach. the FelsNaptha soap leaves such a clean light lemon scent also.And I noticed my hands were so much softer when I had to "break up the congealed "soap"..It helped remove the dead dry skin from my finger tips and cuticles!!
ReplyDeleteIt may be runny but try it you will like it
ReplyDelete@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteThe best option I have found for whitening is to add a few drops of Mrs. Stewart's I will turn your water blue and scare you, but if you use it properly you sparkly clean whites. Don't give in to the temptation of adding more than a few drops of bluing, or all your clothes will turn blue. I guarantee it!
Karen
I made a typo above. It should have said Mrs. Stewart's Bluing liquid. And I reiterate, <don't use more than the recommended amount or uour entire load will be blue. Use the correct and your whites will sparkle.
ReplyDeleteHere is my dry laundry soap:
ReplyDelete1 Bar Nels Soap Grated
1 C Arm & Hammer Washing Soda
1 C Mule Team Borax
1 C BIZ Powder
I use approx 3T per load and mine all come out great!
I use hydrogen peroxide, let it sit overnight in hot water. Whites come out as if u were using bleach, w/o the yellowing effect bleach does over time.
ReplyDeleteI never saw an answer for the question if anyone ever used this without diluting it in the containers? I just wondered if it would work on tough stains or fade or bleach the clothes. Also do a lot of you use the essential oils? I kiss font see how the oils don't get on the clothes, just beck so little is used per 2 gallons? And very specifically when is it added? I see when it's cooled but like in the container or what?
ReplyDeleteWalmart has it with the laundry products. ..White paper package with greenish lettering. Slightly larger than a regular bar of soap
ReplyDeleteTry Mrs Stewart's bluing. It's great
ReplyDeleteSome store bought detergents have so many chemicals and yucky stuff in them. I love that this is good stuff. Ive been making this for years now. Always add Lavender essential oils to it. Love the smell. I ran out one time and I read that it takes 9-12 washings to get out the chemicals from a harsh detergent. Will never run out again. I buy the soap, washing powder, and borax in bulk.
ReplyDeleteI'm about to make this soap again for our family and as someone who has done it twice before here are my Tips and suggestions:
ReplyDeleteMake it as stated....Defiantly do not put oxy clean in the mix...it makes a fizzy mess...
Something I did the 2nd time around and will do again is after the 24 hour waiting period is to Add the Large Container of my favorite store bough laundry soap ( Sam Club Members Mark or Tied) stir it all up then fill the empty containers as stated...now it'll smell like our regular laundry and be blue....
This soap washes well in Hot or Cold water.... we have been doing only cold except for whites to save on our oil bill that heats the water tank and still the clothes are clean.
If the soap is thin and runny, or if the soap is jelly...either way it all still works... it doesn't have to be jelled for it to clean... the first batch was jelled and a mess from fizz but we used it any how...the second batch was thinner and no jell at all but it worked great.... we may use a little more soap for really dirty clothes and we add bleach or oxy clean to the wash for whites... we use this on cloth diapers and everything turns out great... we may add more of this or that to different loads but it depends of what we are washing and WHAT we are washing OUT of the clothes...but in general we use it like it was from the store and we add just a smidgen of our favorite fabric softer (Snuggle) to the fabric softer slot and some times i mix that with vinegar depending on again what i need it for...
And for those who want to know... Vinegar or Oder Ban in the pre-rinse cycle and then again in the ending rinse cycle of washing cloth diapers works great and the diapers smell fresh and not so gross when they are soiled again....
Lily and Ellie I live in Hillcrest Queensland Australia. My name is Shiralee. I want to know what soap I can use here. As we can't get that perticular soap the Dugars use here in Australia. I use a soap called Sun light soap which is an all natural soap to my knowledge.I want to make this recipe. "HELP"
ReplyDeleteHi. So I made this last night and was nice and thick after another stir this morning, however I I've just mixed it half and half in an empty bottle and done my first load and noticed there was NO bubbles in the machine. I used half a cup as well and no bubbles??
ReplyDeleteI am elderly and found out that I kept breaking out in rashes and blisters from all the detergents I have used. I broke this recipe down for my husband and myself. I do not put the essential oils in it. We love it and, love the freshness of it and, guess what? I no longer have the rash or blisters.I am trying to find a dish soap recipe that will help me in the same way. Do you have a recipe? Thank you.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous 67,
At this time, the Duggars don't have a recipe for dish soap, but this website has one: http://www.diynatural.com/homemade-dish-soap/
~Lily and Ellie
We use vinegar let it sit overnight and the dirt just washes away...
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing this recipe. I think this laundry soap is so much better than the commercial soap that I will never go back. This recipe is so easy to make and makes the house smell good as I'm making it.
ReplyDeleteI make the liquid laundry detergent, and I love it. I am not sure how much money I have saved over the years not buying store bought detergent. I add lavender essential oil. If I have a stain, I just pour a little on the spot, and throw it in the hamper, then when I do laundry I just throw it in, and 99.5 percent of the stains come out. I really stain my clothes with garden and vineyard work. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteLemon juice works great in place of bleach, then line dry for the sun which also bleaches
ReplyDeleteyes
ReplyDeleteMake sure u let it sit for 24 hours i stirred mine half way through the process some of the borax super washy soda may be at the bottom still so make sure its properly mixed also make sure its in a cool dry place i keep mine in my garage.
ReplyDeleteI would like to test this Recipe, but we can`t buy Borax on a legal way in Germany. http://borax.de/
ReplyDeleteI have been using the Duggar recipe for about 3 years but it is turning my bras a gray color what can I do for that ??? Donna
ReplyDelete@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous 76,
We haven't had this issue while using the Duggars' laundry soap, but some of our readers have mentioned adding either OxyClean or bleach to prevent whites from becoming dingy.
Here is an article with tips to get your whites looking brighter: http://www.ehow.com/way_5583729_home-remedy-making-whites-white.html
Brandy (a reader) says: "If whites are dingier after a while, use bleach. I use non chlorine bleach. It's made with hydrogen peroxide instead of chlorine, and you can use it on colors as well. No worry of staining and no harsh chemical smell."
Hope this helps!
Lily and Ellie
So, I just made my first batch of laundry soap and anxious to use it. But I have one question. Can you put the fragrance booster crystals (Purex Crystals or Gain Crystals) in the laundry soap with the other ingredients? I skimmed all the comments prior and only found one comment with adding it but it was for the dry batch not the liquid batch.
ReplyDeleteI make this soap for my family and I have use to soaps for sensitive skin and I have NO problems whatsoever with this.
ReplyDeleteAdd a scoop of oxy clean
ReplyDeleteFrom my experience with this soap: The clothes get dingy from using too much soap/not getting rinsed enough. When I get my clothes completely rinsed (soap free) I don't need any softeners (not even vinegar); the good clothes come out of the dryer static free and the towels are completely soft.
ReplyDelete@Lily and EllieYou can also use hypo allergenic bar soaps. That's what I use.
ReplyDeleteWow! This is a great recipe! Thanks Duggar family!
ReplyDelete@Felicia
I have been using a variation of this recipie for over a year. I do not buy laundry detergent any more. I have a toddler potty training, so we have a lot of accidents and this detergent gets her panties clean and stain free as well as keeps our other clothes clean too! I do a smaller batch more often just for storage reasons.
ReplyDeleteFeels naptha 1/3 bar, 1 cup borax, 1 cup washing soda. And 16 cups water total. One large 1 plus gallon laundry dispenser. I use 1/4 cup for a large load of dirty laundry. I do add lavender essential oils to the mix about 15 drops after everything is mixed.
For whites (towels/sheets/ undergarments), I do 1/3 bar white Zote bar, 2Tbs blue dawn, 1 cup Biz, 1 cup borax, 1 cup washing soda. And 16 cups water. 1/4 cup to a large load of clothes. No Clorox needed. I do a 1/4 cup vinegar rinse and that helps with stains too.
I have hard water and a HE machine. Hubby works with grease and mechanics and I'm an nurse, we have a dog, and a toddler who refuses to poo in the potty. So about 9 loads of laundry a week at least.
My mother-in- law turned me onto using Avon's bubble bath (just the clear kinds) as a stain remover. I had never found anything else that's works as effective as this does. Blood, grass, grease, it gets it all out!!
ReplyDeleteI use homemade on my towels and jeans. Tide for colors. I'm still saving money.
ReplyDeleteDo you use for colored cloths too? I'm concerned it will fade my colors. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteUse Mrs. Stewarts bluing! ;) it isnt expensive, and one bottle will last for years. 2-3 drops is all it takes per load of whites.
ReplyDeleteI use this...saw same issue....added 2 cups dry color safe bleach. Dilute this in cups boiled water. I then add to mix. great stuuf!!
ReplyDeleteThe recipe works great in HE machines :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is my second go-round. My first batch was great, but my second batch had a ginormous jellyfish like ball that I found when stirring after the overnight waiting period. What should I do? Any ideas why this happened?
ReplyDeleteIt's with the laundry stuff. Either on top shelf or all the way or near the ox I clean. Both our Walmart's in Dalton GA have them in the same areas.
ReplyDeleteI use a drill with a paint mixer in the 5 gallon bucket to break up any gelled globs. Then dilute with 1/2 water and 1/2 solution into 10 one gallon old plastic vinegar bottles.
ReplyDeleteHOMEMADE DIY LAUNDRY DETERGENT RECIPE
ReplyDeleteIngredients:
1 (4 lb 12 oz) Box of Borax–
1 (3 lb 7 oz) Box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
1 (3 lb) Container of OxyClean
2 (14.1 oz) Bars of Zote Soap
1 (4 lb) Box of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda– Found in the cooking aisle (You could also get two 2 lb box, we couldn’t find the larger 4lb box when we went)
1-2 (55 oz) Bottle of Purex Crystals Fabric Softener
Directions for DIY LAUNDRY DETERGENT
1. Grate zote soap with cheese grater or food processor.
2. Mix all ingredients together in a large bucket.
3. Use 2 -4 Tablespoons per laundry load
How can a five gallon bucket yield 10 gallons of soap? Your recipe says makes 10 gallons but you only use 1 five gallon bucket.
ReplyDeleteMe too! 😀 I did the make your own laundry soap thing and found a odd odor in the clothes after a few weeks. Done with that.
ReplyDeleteLove this recipe!! Have turned my sister, coworker, and sister in law onto it as well. We all use it. Just made another batch today and adding lavender drops this go round. I have been using this since 2014
ReplyDeleteHas any tried making smaller amounts of this? If so did it turn out just as good or different? I'm just wondering because there's only 2 people in my household and 10 gallons would be way too much at once!
ReplyDeleteYou can use store bought detergent on & off & it should help. It will still be more frugal than using store bought all the time. Also the dinge may be because of hard water.i have also used a combination of 1 tide pod & quarter cup home-made for larger loads .It works well for us & stretches the pods out. Some folks use oxyclean with their diy detergent .Hope that helps.
ReplyDeleteWhy not a coffee grinder?
ReplyDeleteI use it every load for 3 years in my front loader. no problem
ReplyDeleteAny recommendations for a soap bar to use other than Fels-Naptha? My daughter is allergic to food dyes, and Fels-Naptha has yellow 5 and red 40 in it.
ReplyDeletethis detergent was easy to make and worked well in the wash! I'm planning on adding essential oils to my next batch!
ReplyDeleteI just had the same problem, how did you fix it?
ReplyDeleteSo does the hot tap water used in making the liquid soap add the hydrogen peroxide or do you also need to wash in hot water?
ReplyDeleteI love Duggar Family
ReplyDeleteI use it in hot and cold water dependent on what i'm washing! Seems to work fine either way! I've also used with a top loader and now a front loader also good for either! My son has sensitive skin which was the determining factor in making my own soap, this doesn't bother his skin at all! I've made it for our family of 6 for 9 years now. Floor crawling, baby spitup, diaper blowouts, Baseball, Soccer, Wrestling, tree climbing and mud playing, it's cleaned it all! I love it! Best part is once your items for it are bought you can make 10gallons for about $5! You just can't beat that! We do 1-2 loads daily, it lasts for about 6-8 months per bucket! Highly recommend spending the little bit of time making it! Also i grate the soap with my slicer/shredder attachment on my kitchen aid, does a fine job super fast!
ReplyDeleteWow, that's neat, I used to make laundry soap just like this, my mom's recipe also. Using two bars of our homemade old-fashioned lye soap all natural. And it yielded a five gallon bucket not quite full.
ReplyDeleteI know this post was many years ago, but I am reading through comments before making my own detergent. The person above said she had new stains on her clothes, that is due up to the EO she was using, the same happened to us! Unless it is a “brand name” EO like Young Living or DoTerra the oils are not pure and will stain your clothes. I was too cheap to buy good oils, but ruined a bunch of stuff with off brand
ReplyDeleteYou can use a bar of ivory instead of the fels naphtha.
ReplyDeleteYes have made and used for about 15 yr and always use cold water works great
ReplyDeleteI followed the recipe from OurLittleHomestead. I just have to be extra. This time I and ended up putting 1/2 cup of Ariel powder in the pot after the borax to melt. I also added in 10oz of Downey Unstoppables to the 5 gallon bucket of hot water and dissolved them before I poured in the melted soap. OMG!!! I only used the white vinegar for softener because I did not want to change the scent. I am in love!! I just did my first load with the jelled mixture to see how it is and so far I'm sold!
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteI used the recipe from OurLittleHomestead. I just have to be extra. This time I and ended up putting 1/2 cup of Ariel powder in the pot after the borax to melt. I also added in 10oz of Downey Unstoppables to the 5 gallon bucket of hot water and dissolved them before I poured in the melted soap. OMG!!! I only used the white vinegar for softener because I did not want to change the scent. I am in love!! I just did my first load with the jelled mixture to see how it is and so far I'm sold!