Does anyone else make their own laundry detergent?

[last1standing]

I started making my own a couple of years ago for two reasons. First it is much less expensive than buying even the economy stuff and second it's much better for the environment. I use the following recipe:

3 Pints Water
1/3 Bar Fels Naptha Soap, Grated
1/2 Cup Washing Soda
1/2 Cup Borax
2 Gallon Bucket
1 Quart Hot Water
Cold Water

Dissolve Fels Naptha in 3 pints of water over low heat. Add washing soda & Borax. Stir until thickened, and remove from heat. Add 1 Quart Hot Water to 2 Gallon Bucket. Add soap mixture, and mix well. Fill bucket with cold water, and mix well. Set aside for 24 hours, or until mixture thickens. Use 1/2 cup of mixture per load.

I just shake it up a bit before I pour it out and it works as well as anything I've bought from a store yet costs about $0.50 per two gallons.

Does anyone else use this or another recipe?

[hlthe2b]

1. Whew... When I saw your post I feared you were boiling down

the bones and fat of road kill (or worse)....LOL


No, I'm not but good to know how to do so, if push comes to shove...

[last1standing]

3. I do it because it cleans clothes well.

And it's so much better for the environment. It really doesn't take much to make and it has a wonderful scent.

[hlthe2b]

8. Good to know... Your "recipe" doesn't sound too time consuming

I just might try it....:thumbsup:

[last1standing]

30. It's really one of the easiest things you can make.

And it smells good while you're making it.

When I started doing this I was stunned at how easy it was. I still can't believe people are paying so much for a lesser product when I can make it with so little effort.

[BadgerKid]

35. That's interesting.

And here I thought I was getting a steal by buying the cheap "value" detergent at $2/gallon. (It works just fine by the way.) I'd like to try your method. Thanks.

[kestrel91316]

18. I use a little white vinegar in the final rinse, too. Leaves the

clothes softer.

[kestrel91316]

14. Don't laugh. Ten years ago when I taught myself to make soap from

scratch (where you saponify fats with lye - Better Living Through Home Chemistry(TM), lol) I tested myself and got some beef fat from the butcher and rendered it all myself and used it in combo with olive oil and shortening. I won't do that (rendering fat)again - too much work. But I know how to do it.

[hlthe2b]

32. Oh, I know how it is done...

'Just had visions of "DEXTER" (if you know the show) LOL

[eppur_se_muova]

46. Most vegetable oils should work; no need for animal fat.

All the common oils -- corn, soybean, sunflower, safflower, palm, rapeseed -- are mixtures of glycerides of various C18 acids. They differ in the relative amounts of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. The disadvantage is that the soaps made from unsaturated fats will be lower-melting, and you may not obtain solid product without chilling, if at all. (Although palm and olive oils give -- ta-daa -- Palmolive.)

If you can get a hold of hydrogenated vegetable oil, that makes the best solid soap. In fact, if completely hydrogenated, it is chemically identical with tristearin, the principal component of animal fat. I saw this used in a chemistry class -- a vegetable shortening similar to Crisco was used (add water and base, heat for an hour or two). I think it was purchased from a Mexican grocery, for about half the cost of Crisco, in waxed paper packaging.

[roguevalley]

52. this is cool to know as much how to stuff as you can but I have the

high efficiency washers that require a he soap. they cost nothing and are so very environmentally sound I could dance if I could. :) good on you, op.

[zuzu98]

2. Thanks for posting this!

I make most of my own cleaning products, but I don't have a "recipe" for laundry detergent.

Where do you find washing soda? I've checked at general merchandise stores, hardware stores, etc. and get a blank look every time I ask for it.

[last1standing]

4. I get it at my local supermarket, Meijer's.

But I'm sure you could get it just about anywhere. If you're having trouble finding it then Amazon.com or some other online store is bound to have it.

[Coexist]

15. Arm and Hammer makes some

My local grocery store sells it - its usually next to the Borax.

[last1standing]

17. That's the brand I use and it works very well.

n/t

[kestrel91316]

20. You can always contact Arm and Hammer, the company who makes

washing soda in addition to baking soda (handy, that) and they can tell you your nearest retailer with it.

[anitar1]

5. Thanks for the recipe, I'm going to try it. n/t

[saged52]

6. great idea -

not only will this save money but it will also do away w/all the cardboard/plastic packaging I have piled up for the recycling bin - cool!

[last1standing]

28. Yep. It's all around good for the environment.

And it's not difficult to make at all. The added bonus is the wonderful scent.

[The_Casual_Observer]

7. I once programmed a line that made powdered laundry detergent

They use a lot of salt & potash in their mix. Yours sounds 100x better.

[asjr]

9. I had no idea Fels Naptha soap

was still on the market. I'll look for it as the price of detergent has risen so high. The new boxes or bottles say it is "ultra concentrated" so use less. I think that is a crock. They didn't strengthen it they just raised the price.

[last1standing]

13. It's never advertised but it's still around.

Look on either the top or bottom shelf in your supermarket's laundry aisle and it'll probably be there. I had to ask a stock boy who had to ask his supervisor in order to find it, but it's there.

[snappyturtle]

21. Soap is high but I think the new concentrated ones are great. It

was in my mind that manufacturers reduced the size of the plastic bottles (less oil!) in doing so. My front loader says to use "he" concentrates....I wonder if I could use the recipe??? Anyone know?

[last1standing]

23. Give it a try.

If it doesn't work you're not out much money and borax can be used for a hundred different cleaning purposes. If it does work you've save a lot of money and helped the environment. It's a no lose situation.

[snappyturtle]

58. I know the problem is high suds....if this home-made soap is high

in that way it shouldn't be used. I should have asked that....right no I use Palmolive's ECO+ phosphate free he type laundry detergent....lie it and use their phosphate free dishwasher soap too.

[alfredo]

37. We used it in the Army. We'd take a small coffee can, puncture it

in several places. Attach a wire or string to the top of the can so you can hang it from the faucet. Put your Fels Naptha into can, hang it so the water goes in the can with the soap, turn on the water and you will have a nice sudsy sink for washing dishes.

[kestrel91316]

10. What you describre is not detergent, technically. It's SOAP.

And yes, I make my own laundry soap, but my recipe uses Zote soap as the base and not Fels naphtha.

I use it for all my handwashing, but have to be careful not to use much because our water is hard and too much soap leaves a scum.

I LOVE it. I made a big bucket of the stuff years ago and am still using it, lol.

I also MAKE SOAP from scratch, as in saponification of fats with lye. Need to do another batch this fall. I'm about out.

[last1standing]

16. I use this recipe in the washer and it works great..

I'm not picky about what it's technical designation is. I'm just happy it works.

[uppityperson]

11. That looks interesting. Thank you for posting that, may try it.

I do a lot of laundry because of my work and may try this. Thank you.

[gblady]

12. THANKS

I'll give that a try. How do you grate the soap....knife or cheese grater?

[last1standing]

19. I use either the cheese grater or the grater for my food processor.

Either works fine.

[TNDemo]

22. Yes - I posted about this in a thread yesterday.

The recipe had called for grating the soap and that was just way too much trouble so I just throw the whole bar in there. I have tried using my own soap but it doesn't gel as well as the Fels Naptha.

Also, use vinegar instead of fabric softener. Does the same job and your clothes won't smell like a pickle.

[last1standing]

26. Try using your food processor.

It'll grate the soap in no time.

I use Mrs. Meyer's fabric softener because it smells so good, but I may move to vinegar for the cost soon.

[TNDemo]

34. I wish I had one!

I keep hinting around on my birthday and Christmas but don't have one yet. I guess I need to just get my own.

I do fragrance the soap some just to make the laundry experience more pleasant (I have a lot of fragrance oils from regular soapmaking) but do it lightly (though it never seems to linger on the clothes) and use the vinegar because it leaves zero fragrance. Strong fragrances bother my husband's asthma. And isn't fabric softener a way to mark your scent on your man? 8-D I guess mine is unmarked.

[Fridays Child]

29. When you throw the bar in, I take it that, eventually, it melts down in the "cooking" process?

Maybe I'll try putting it in a bag and hitting it with a hammer, several times, just to break it up.

[TNDemo]

33. I put it in and after 10 minutes or so it is soft enough to chop with a big

spoon into little pieces. It takes longer to melt than grating it but I have time - I just give it a stir when I walk by while doing other things. Also - make sure you get it hot enough after you add the borax and washing soda. A couple of times I have taken it off the stove too soon and it doesn't gel. You can still use it even if it is watery but it is just less messy when it is gelled.

[Mojorabbit]

24. I have a friend

who does and brings it to me from time to time. She puts a lovely peppermint fragrance into it. Smells lovely.

[knitter4democracy]

25. Could you use Dr. Bronner's instead of the Fels Naptha soap?

I wonder how much would be equivalent. That stuff's pretty strong.

[last1standing]

27. I know one way to find out.

Try it and let us know. :)

[knitter4democracy]

31. I might.

Maybe add some lavendar oil, too. :)

[rucky]

62. I bet you can use Bronner's on its own.

I don't think it'll save you much money, but you could drink your wash water if you wanted to.

[knitter4democracy]

63. No, you'd still need a detergent for cutting grease.

I once washed a new pair of mittens I'd just knitted in Dr. Bronners, and it melded to the lanolin still in the handspun yarn I used. Never did come off.

[rucky]

64. This is why I'm not to be trusted with the laundry. n/t

[Triana]

36. Oh! I may just try this. I do use Borax - add it to the wash and use it...

...to clean toilet bowls (1 cup - add 1/4 c. vinegar for extra-strength - let sit a few minutes to overnight and brush/flush).

For those interested in making / using many other non-commercial and more environmentally safe cleaning solutions, see the following link:

http://www.greenerchoices.org/products.cfm?product=greencleaning&page=RightChoices

[hedgehog]

38. I used to wash all my laundry with soap and washing soda and it came out

soft with no added softener. Then the last two name brands were converted to detergent. ON eo f these days I'll have to get ambitious and try the Fels naptha.



Has anyone tried using Castile soap?

[jtrockville]

39. Is it safe to make this in pots you use for food?

[chatnoir]

43. Was wondering same. Thx for asking. n/t

[last1standing]

45. I use the same pots and it hasn't hurt me.

n/t

[eppur_se_muova]

50. ***I WOULD AVOID ALUMINUM POTS!!***

Alkaline solutions can attack aluminum. Even sodium bicarbonate (baking soda, a weak base) can dissolve aluminum foil. Sodium carbonate could leave your aluminum ware pitted. Cast iron or steel would be best.

[jtrockville]

53. Thank you. :)

I may try this.

[sammytko]

40. I make my own

but prefer the dry kind - fels naptha, borax and washing soda.

Here is a link to Soaps Gone Buy - more recipes for soap

http://www.soapsgonebuy.com/category_s/24.htm

I also use vinegar, washing soda and a capful of Murphys oil soap in hot water as floor cleaner.

[sammytko]

41. Let the bar "dry " out

and it will be easier to grate.

Just unwrap and let is sit for a while. I use my mini Cuisinart to grate the soap. I also throw all the ingredients in there to make a finer mix.

Some people do not like the powdery residue.

You can use other soaps.

[msedano]

42. start with one pig...

and make the fels naptha-type soap to start with.

when i was a kid my grandmother sponsored matanzas in the back yard. haul a pig up an a-frame--ordinarily used for raising engine blocks--bring in a fellow with a knife. when the pork had been butchered, she'd put the fat into a big black kettle and boil it out to make chicharrones. when all the meat and crispy stuff had been extracted she continued to boil the fat and removed all particulates. then she stirred in cans of lye and poured it all into a tina, a galvanized washtub. this went into the shade under the tall nopales (opuntia or prickly pear cactus). kept a linoleum knife in the tina. when we needed soap for the bath or kitchen one of us would go out to the nopales, carve out a hunk of soap--incredibly thick and tough to cut for the small boy i was. the best part was the sweet tuna, cactus fruit, readily picked during the right time of year.

thanks for reminding me of my long-ago youth.

mvs

[Catherina]

44. This is great! Thanks :) 3-5 aspirin tablets in the washer work great for whitening too n/t

[eppur_se_muova]

47. OMG! Did you just Cindy McCain us?

Example of homemade laundry-soap recipe:

Ingredients

1-2 cups water (to melt grated soap)
1 bar Fels Naptha soap, grated
5-gallon bucket
1 cup washing soda (NOT baking soda—see sodium carbonate)
4 1/2 gallons HOT tap water

Optional

1-3 oz. essential oil (in preferred scent)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fels-Naptha

[last1standing]

48. I'm busted!!!

:rofl:

Really this recipe is all over the Internet. I wasn't trying to claim it for my own, I wanted to give it more attention and see if anyone else was using a different recipe.

Now if you want my chocolate chip cookie recipe... :D

[eppur_se_muova]

49. Hope it's not made with Fel's chocolate morsels ... nt

[orleans]

51. from wiki:

A QUICK & EASY POWDER VERSION:

1 bar Fels Naptha soap, grated (comes to about 2 cups)

1 cup Washing Soda (Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda)

1 cup Borax (20 Mule Team)

Combine grated soap with washing soda & borax. Use 1 tablespoon for light load, 2 tablespoons for heavy or heavily soiled load. Use half that for front-loading washers.

----

i wouldn't cook the stuff
but i might look for this bar soap and give the dry stuff a whirl.

[Iris]

54. How do you think it would work in a front-load washer?

Just curious. I don't think regular detergent works that well in my front-load washer.

[last1standing]

57. You might want to check with the manufacturer.

However, I think the point of using HE detergents is to reduce suds and this recipe is low sudsing. Still, I have a top loading washer so I really can't say for sure.

[NNN0LHI]

60. Costs me 12 cents a load to wash with h-e detergent designed for front loaders

Can't get much cheaper than that.

Don

[Iris]

61. what brand do you use?

I use Tide and I get it at BJ's - the liquid kind.

[NNN0LHI]

65. Its Sears Brand powder

I get it every year after the Christmas holidays when it goes on sale. I usually get about 8 buckets @ $15.00 each for the year and always have some left over the following year,

Don

[Iris]

66. I'll check it out this year! Thanks for the tip!

[NNN0LHI]

70. Even when its not on sale its only 20 bucks for enough to do 125 loads

Which comes out to only 16 cents a load off sale.

Its a bargain no matter how you look at it I think.

Don

[Irishonly]

55. Thanks

I have used Arm and Hammer laundry detergent for years but I think I will try this.

[aikoaiko]

56. very cool and interesting, but too much effort for me.

[alphafemale]

59. Thanks.

[raccoon]

67. Where do you buy some of these items? This past weekend, I saw

Washing Soda for sale at Mast General Store. I had heard of it, but never seen it for sale.

Also Naptha and Borax?

[Sheets of Easter]

68. Cool beans. I'll have to try that.

I just procured a horking jug of Kirkland Ultra laundry detergent at Costco, but once that's finished, I'd like to give it a try.

Thanks!

[gollygee]

69. My mom emailed me this recipe but I haven't tried it yet

It isn't as "from scratch" as yours but it would be a lot cheaper than what I'm using now.

1 cup Biz (in laundry aisle - top or bottom shelf probably)
1 cup washing soda (in laundry aisle - top or bottom shelf probably)
1 cup Borax (in laundry aisle - top or bottom shelf probably)
1 cup cheap or on-sale powdered laundry soap

She said you only need 2 tablespoons for a load.