I have thought about making my own laundry soap for quite some time but thought it might be hard, not really work as well as store bought detergent or in the long run, not really save me any money. Boy, was I wrong!!
I scoured the internet and books looking for a recipe. This is the recipe I decided to try. Only then I did a bit more digging because I am overly thorough sometimes, (my friends and family may even say anal!!) And found that Fels Naptha soap isn’t very natural. So I decided to just use Dr. Bonners bars of castille soap. I have been using Dr. Bonners for so many things for so many years. They smell great, are super concentrate, they get the job done and the bottles of the liquid soaps provide for some great reading material!!
I used my food processor to grind up the soap. Next time I will follow the suggestions to follow the shredding blade with the metal blade along with some of the washing soda to pulverize and “powderize” the soap.
You will also need a bucket to keep your soap in. Preferably one with a lid. I found my blueberry bucket to be just perfect.
The ingredients are simple and all were found at my local Meijer store:
1 bar dr. bonners soap (your choice of flavor!) I made a double recipe and used 1 lavender bar and one citrus orange
1 cup washing soda
1cup Borax
1/4 cup Eco-store pure oxygen whitener or oxyclean
I then copied the recipe on to the lid so I would never have to go searching for it again when it is time to make a batch!
Note you only need 1 Tablespoon for a regular load and 2 Tablespoons for a heavy load!! So little goes a long way! I do start my wash cycle with hot water to get the soap dissolved and then switch back to cold.
The scent is so fresh! It reminds of summer time and line dried clean clothes! Ahhhhhhhhh!
Really this is easy, cheap and works just as well as store bought laundry products.
Tomorrow I’ll have a little something natural for your dryer!!
as a recipient of a bag of this soap, I am here to tell ya it is great stuff. I am a big baby about the smell of laundry soap, dryer sheets, etc. This had a scent I liked and it didn’t linger on my clothes. and it does work! thanks dear!
We made this for madi’s science project, but it didn’t work as well as the store brought ones. Might try again
[...] have always wanted to try making my own laundry soap (@ Pepper [...]
[...] little something for your dryer as promised in my Natural Laundry Soap [...]
I’m TOTALLY trying this. Did your clothes come out clean as if it were store bought?
Oo! I’m very interested in this and the dryer packets. I wonder if this soap would work in a front loading machine. I’ve never tried putting a powdered detergent in the dispenser thingy.
DIY Laundry Soap is on my to-do list! Thanks for the tips. As for the dryer, I am devoted to anti-static dryer balls. I haven’t bought fabric softener since I started using them.
Yes Mollie-and smelled much fresher!
Anna-word on the internet is not to use this in front load washers. Sorry.
Daisy–anti-static balls? Do tell !!
I started making laundry detergent because I couldn’t find one I liked to use in my HE washer. This stuff works in HE washers and is a great way to use up those little nubs of soap in the soapdish!
I have been using this on farm dirty clothes and they come out clean and fresh! With out the oxyclean, by the way.
Hi!
You know I just made a liquid laundry detergent and am loving how it works! I’m not crazy about the fels naptha I used though and am delighted to find someone who used a natural alternative with success! My liquid recipe is nearly the same as the powdered version you used except that my recipe calls for baking soda along with the borax bar soap AND washing soda. Do you think adding baking soda to the recipe would help or hinder it?
Thanks !
Bandia—I am not really sure if the Baking Soda makes any difference. I suppose it can’t hurt! I love the smell of the Dr Bonners citrus and lavender bars! Thanks for leaving a comment!
very cool. thanks for sharing this.