These are the ingredients that you will need.I had to order the fels-naptha online. I bought 5 bars(plus shipping!) for $9.90.
The Super Washing Soda(not baking soda) and the Borax, I purchased at Albertson's
for $4 each, approximately.
Ivory Soap...I got at Target. 3 bars for $1.
I bought a five gallon bucket, lid and funnel at Home Depot for $5.
Total cost: $24
This what it looks like.
I used an empty one gallon water bottle to funnel a gallon at a time.This is the 1/2 cup measuring cup we use per laundry load.
First, let me tell you that I didn't know it was possible to make one's own laundry soap. It never crossed my mind! I was reading Jenn's blog a couple of weeks ago where she explained that she had just made her first batch after running out of the batch that her friend, Hannah of Lima, had made for her.
We were just about to run out of our 2 years supply of Tide (we got SUPER cheap) and were not going to be able to get more. So this was definitely something that I wanted to look into and give a try for our family of 7.
Half of my battle was finding all the ingredients. Our local Walmart and Target do not carry any of these ingredients minus the Ivory soap and the borax. But once I was able to locate and purchase what I needed, I realized that I was set for the next 8-12 months.
So...I made the soap. It was very simple. Grating the soap was easier than grating cheese! Here's the step by step directions.
1. Grate one bar of Fels- Naptha and one bar of Ivory soap. The smaller you grate it, the easier to melt.
2. Add soap together with 8 cups of water in large pot.
3. Simmer and stir until soap is completely melted, keeping water under boil (mine formed foam on the top, this was fine).
4. Add one cup of Borax and one cup of Washing Soda. (next time I m doubling both of these ingredients!)
5. Continue to simmer 30-60 minutes. It's supposed to thicken~ mine didn't until it cooled completely(the next day).
6. Remove from heat. Cool.
7. Pour into five gallon container.
8. Add 2-3 gallons of warm water and stir mix well.
9. Let sit over night and stir again.
Ok. A couple of things...I did some research here and found out that 1. there are many different recipes for liquid and powder and 2. that I may not have used enough borax and washing soda.
I also found that the soap does not clean quite as well as Tide (which may be because I need more borax and washing soda!).
But all that said, Was it worth it? YES, I believe it was. My laundry smells clean...not perfumey...just clean or fresh. And I am going to save a laundry load of money. This is a non-sudsing soap and works well in front loaders.
I will definitely be making this again...In about 3 or 4 months!
