Have you ever made your own Laundry Soap? Seriously, you would not believe how EASY and CHEAP it is to make. I can't believe I've been buying it for so many years.
First of all, I got this recipe from my dear friend Dawn's blog. I wasn't able to get pics today, so you might want to hop on over to Dawn's blog for pics of her HUSBAND making the laundry soap. Yes, I did say that her HUSBAND makes the soap. So, when I decided to try a batch, I told Papa that it was a "Man's Job", and showed him the pics of Jason. Not to be outdone in the Manly Department, Papa is now our Official Laundry Soap Maker. I think today's batch was the 3rd or 4th batch that he's made, with the same set of very inexpensive ingredients. (Jason has calculated it out to be about .01 - .02 per load. Yes. 1 penny per load. How much do you pay for your laundry soap?)
Here's the recipe:
Homemade Laundry Soap
6 cups Water
1/3 bar of Zote soap (pink bar soap)
1/2 cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (55oz box)
1/2 cup 20 Mule Team Borax (76 oz box)
Grater
3 qt Saucepan
Spoon
Large Bucket that holds 2 gallons
Funnel
2 empty Gallon containers (milk jugs or empty laundry soap containers)
Bring 6 cups Water to a boil
Grate the 1/3 bar of Zote soap
After the water is boiling, add the grated Zote soap and stir until it is dissolved.
Then add the 1/2 cup of washing soda and 1/2 cup of Borax. Stir until completely dissolved.
Put in a bucket and add water until you have 2 gallons all together.
Pour with funnel into containers.
* you will have to shake it when you use it, because it is a thick gel-like fluid.
** I use 1/4 cup for my extra-large-super-duty front loader washing machine. That's all it needs.
This is so funny--a man's job! Eric so TOTALLY makes our soap to! We do the dry version with the same ingrediants. I need his manly muscles to shread the Zote!
ReplyDeleteI can say that I have never made any soap. Glad to know that there are recipes out there in case I want to try it. :o)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great hubby!
YEAH! great money saver and wonderful way to spend money on more important things- like ministries, adoptions, etc. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Laurel! I cant wait to try this! I love finding new frugal tips!
ReplyDeleteBTW- I have really enjoyed working with Hosanna this week at Day Camp! she is such a great gal!
Thank you for the money saving infor - so you've tried it in your front loader, and it does not get too suddsy? (is that a word?) I've heard if there are too many suds, too often, you will have to replace a very expensive part...I'm sure you know that, but would you tell me, just the same? I'd love to save that much money!!
ReplyDeleteDeborah ... this recipe is formulated for the large front loaders. There is a similar dry recipe for top loaders. (This can also be used for top loaders, you just need to use more.)
ReplyDeleteFor the large front loaders, you just need 1/4 cup of this.
:) :) :)
I make it too and LOVE it! saves us heaps and heaps of $$$$$. Perfect for a large family.
ReplyDeleteSending you a HUGE hug today, friend.
I'm so excited to try this, can you share where you found the Zote soap? I've called around to our local retailers and co-ops and no one has heard of this soap. I found it on-line, but would love to avoid shipping...where do you get yours?
ReplyDeleteWe make our own too! Actually, my daughter usually makes it. I don't know what zote is, instead we use Fels Naptha.
ReplyDeleteThis is fantastic! I will have to try it.
ReplyDeleteI can't thank you enough for your comment today - it was exactly what I needed to hear. I feel at such a crossroads right now, it's amazing how a m/c can shake your life.
Thanks for your encouragement, friend!