It is no secret that making one’s own cleaning products
can save a bundle for the Budget.
But have you ever really MADE any?
I challenged myself a few years ago to find my favorite inexpensive home made Cleaning Products, and have never looked back…
Even our son can make laundry detergent with a bit of assistance.
It is easy, Fun, and it saves SO much money!
This batch of scented home made laundry soap cost us 71 cents
and filled up 3 regular-sized liquid Laundry bottles
(at 64 loads each).
Follow these easy instructions:
Ingredients:
Fels Naptha Soap: 1/3 of a bar
2 Cups of water, boiling
1/2 cup Washing Soda
1/2 cup Borax
6 cups water
1 tsp essential oil
Eventually, you will add approximately 7 more cups of water
Instructions:
Begin by putting a big pot with 2 cups of water in it on the stove at medium heat.
Heat to boiling while grating the soap (saves time).
Grate the Fels Naptha soap:
1/3 of a bar of this for a large pot of water (8 cups total in the end)
I buy my Fels Naptha Bars at True Value Hardware Store.
I usually buy 3 bars at a time
and they last me for about 4 to 5 months of Laundering.
We use a Metal Shredder/Grater that one would use to shred cabbage.
On a Side Note, when we lived in Arkansas, this was a weekend project that we did every few months at our River Cabin. That explains the dark, rustic surroundings in the photos. It got a bit messy when we let our boy do it on his own. B was 7 years old when these photos were taken.
I keep a separate Grater in my laundry room for soap only, but you could use the one from your kitchen, just be sure to wash it well for next use (if using for food prep).
Pour the shredded soap into the boiling water pot.
Boil the shredded soap in the water until it is completely dissolved.
You will need to stir the soap quite a bit to help it dissolve.
Stir frequently to speed up the dissolving process.
Next, you will need “Washing Soda,”, and “20 Mule Team Borax.”
I purchased the Washing Soda at True Value Hardware,
The Mule Team Borax is readily available at Walmart or the Grocer.
When the soap shavings are completely dissolved,
add 1/2 cup of Washing Soda
Mix well, then add 1/2 cup of Borax
Now remove the pot from the burner, and add the water…
6 more cups
Keep stirring…
The solution will get bubbly and smell really clean!
Now add more water… 2 cups
This is optional, but I love to add essential oil to the detergent mixture
after the solution has cooled completely down.
I prefer Do Terra Essential Oils…
My favorites for Laundry Detergent are Lavender OR Orange
We add 1 Teaspoon full of oil to the cooled liquid, then mix very well.
On the day we made this batch, I was all out of either of my favorite oils,
so in a pinch, we added
Linen Essential oil (Purchased from the candle department at Walmart)
It smelled fresh, and took away the soapy smell.
So that’s it…
Easier than making a Pie!
We cover the pot and let it “gel” (harden) for 24 hours,
then we pour it into used empty Laundry container bottles.
I can’t stop smiling when I do my laundry now,
knowing that it cost me less than 4 cents per load!
Our clothes and towels smell so fresh!
Won’t you try it?
Blue Willow 