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Writer's pictureAndrea Wenzel

Make your Own Laundry Soap (Liquid or Dry!)

Updated: Dec 7, 2022

Making your own laundry soap is an essential skill that saves you a ridiculous amount of money. It might seem a bit daunting at first, but I promise, once you do it, laundry soap making will become second nature.



Liquid Laundry Soap


Ingredients:


One 2-gallon bucket

*1/3 to 1 bar of Fels Naphtha

1/2 cup of Borax

1/2 cup of washing soda

Soap containers of your choice

Essential oils for added scent (optional)


*Any bar soap should work; however, you might need to use the whole bar. I’ve used Ivory in the past, but I’ve found I need to use more than 1/3 of a bar.


Directions:


1. Grate soap into a medium-sized saucepan with 4-6 cups of water.


2. Heat soap mixture on the stove until all the soap dissolves and then

add both the borax and washing soda into the pan.


3. Dissolve and add your soap mixture into your 2-gallon bucket. Top off the bucket with hot water and stir.


4. The mixture needs to sit overnight to, “gel” but don’t be alarmed when it doesn’t look like laundry soap. It might look more like egg drop soup and that's okay.


5. Stir the mixture very well before putting the soap into containers or into the machine.


6. Now it's ready! Use about a half cup per load.


Reminder! Keep in mind that this soap does separate and you will need to shake it before each use. Consider your strength and put the soap into an appropriate sized container that will allow you to shake it with ease. It may take a few!


Dry Mix Recipe

 

If you don't have much time, this mix is quick and easy!


Ingredients:


1 bar of Fels Naphtha or bar soap of choice

2 cups of washing soda

1 cup of Borax

Container with lid

Cheese grater


Caution ⚠️ The bar soap makes some nasty dust when you grate it. I personally use a face covering like a bandana when I grate the soap.


Directions:


Grate bar soap into fine pieces and then mix in washing soda and Borax. Store in cute mason jars and label. Use 1/4 cup per load. These also make super easy gifts!


Making your own laundry soap may seem a bit intimidating at first, but after the first time, you’ll be wondering why you didn‘t start earlier!


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