Homemade Laundry Soap
In my quest to fight my children's allergies and to be frugal, I started making my own laundry soap. It is so easy and much less expensive.
I use Ivory Soap which is the cheapest soap you can buy. Grate 2-4 oz. bars (or 1-8 oz. bar) in a food processor. You can do this by hand but I find it easier this way.
Put in a large pot and add 1 gallon of water.
Put it on the stove on a medium high setting and whisk the soap until it is totally dissolved. This will take a few minutes. I find it easier to start it cooking and then come back every few moments to give it a good stir.
Bring to a boil and let it simmer for 5 minutes or so to make sure the soap is totally dissolved. Watch it or it will boil over and you will end up with a super clean stove top!
Let it cool completely and then pour into gallon jugs. You can use old laundry detergent bottles, milk jugs or anything else you have around.
When it's done, let it sit for a day or two and it will gel up. In fact, sometimes it over-gels. Just give it a good shake and use 1/2 cup per load.
I use 1/2 cup plus a scoop of oxyclean. Altogether just using these two items, it costs me about $.10 per load which is not bad at all. 2 gallons of laundry detergent lasts me about 6 weeks.
I use Ivory Soap which is the cheapest soap you can buy. Grate 2-4 oz. bars (or 1-8 oz. bar) in a food processor. You can do this by hand but I find it easier this way.
Put in a large pot and add 1 gallon of water.
Put it on the stove on a medium high setting and whisk the soap until it is totally dissolved. This will take a few minutes. I find it easier to start it cooking and then come back every few moments to give it a good stir.
Bring to a boil and let it simmer for 5 minutes or so to make sure the soap is totally dissolved. Watch it or it will boil over and you will end up with a super clean stove top!
Let it cool completely and then pour into gallon jugs. You can use old laundry detergent bottles, milk jugs or anything else you have around.
When it's done, let it sit for a day or two and it will gel up. In fact, sometimes it over-gels. Just give it a good shake and use 1/2 cup per load.
I use 1/2 cup plus a scoop of oxyclean. Altogether just using these two items, it costs me about $.10 per load which is not bad at all. 2 gallons of laundry detergent lasts me about 6 weeks.
When I first read your blog a while back talking about making your own laundry soap, I couldn't quite figure out how you were saving all that much money and it seemed like it was more work than savings but with this post, you have made it a little more clear to me and it seems like quite a savings. Good job, Terri. I admire all the ways that you are creative in your quest to save money for your family and help them with their allergies and such!
ReplyDeleteYou are a great Homemaker!!!!
Love,
Mom
I have tagged you for a meme so come on over and discover what it is all about.
ReplyDeletewhy Ivory soap? could anther kind of soap be used?
ReplyDeleteLisa, you can use any soap you want. I just happen to use Ivory because it's inexpensive.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like it would be fun to make. I'll bet you have a real sense of accomplishment every time you do the laundry, too -- kind of like pulling out jars of produce you canned your very own self. Thanks for the great idea :)
ReplyDeleteIf I get a chance Mom, I'll do the list.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great idea! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI also add 1/2 cup washing soda and 1/2 cup borax to the mix. It works great. For a scent you can add lavender or orange oil.
ReplyDelete