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Homemade Laundry Soap

Give it a Whirl Thursday will be a weekly column
documenting triumphs and failures of frugal projects



(yes, I realize this is blurry, I apologize.)

Ingredients:

1 bar of soap (I used Zote) $1
1/2 c borax $.18
1/2 c washing soda $.21
2 gallons water

Grate your soap. I used Zote and was very excited I found it at Family dollar!! Add 6 cups hot water into your pan, slowly add in your soap shavings.
Once all the soap is melted add the borax and the washing soda. Stir until dissolved. Remove from heat and pour into large bucket. Add 4 cups hot water, stir until blended.
add 1 gallon + 6 cups cold water to your bucket and mix well. Set aside and let sit for 24 hours. Its chunky and gel like. This is normal.

Use 1/2 cup per load.

Total for batch of soap $1.39
Which made 2 gallons of soap. 2 gallons=32 cups or 64 loads
$.02 per load!



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Comments

  1. ChristyMarch 18, 2010 at 6:37 PM

    Wow Brandi! You are so industrious! How well does it work? I always wondered about home-made laundry soap and if it might leave a residue? Thanks for the post. Very interesting!

    ReplyDelete
  2. DebbieMarch 19, 2010 at 8:12 AM

    I have been debating on trying this myself. You use one cup per load?

    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  3. Mary BergfeldMarch 19, 2010 at 9:52 AM

    Brandi, this is such a good idea. I'm so glad I found your blog. I'll be back often to see what you've been doing. Have a great day. Blessings...Mary

    ReplyDelete
  4. Diary From AfricaMarch 19, 2010 at 11:44 AM

    Thanks so much for visiting my blog all the way over in Africa, Brandi - I'm so glad to have found yours, too ... you have some great tips on here & I'll be back for another visit soon :)
    Bye for now
    Lynda, Kilimanjaro East Africa

    ReplyDelete
  5. Frugal farmhouseMarch 19, 2010 at 4:05 PM

    Christy- It works GREAT! I'll be updating this post while I use it more. I've honestly only used in a few times but so far it has been great. and we are very allergic to soap.

    Debbie- I thought I put it in there! I'm sorry I guess I was just so excited to post it I forgot to include the most important part! it is actually 1/2 a cup per load.

    Mary- Welcome! I hope to get to know you better can't wait to see you around here more often :)

    Lynda- I was so excited to find your blog, you live in such a beautiful place! I loved your pictures :) Do come back often!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Holly LefevreMarch 19, 2010 at 11:20 PM

    I am so into this...I am going to try it. I made a cleaner from another blogger too. LOVE it. Thanks for stopping by 504 Main. I am a new follower here!

    Holly

    ReplyDelete
  7. JessicaMarch 22, 2010 at 5:11 AM

    We have been using this for over a year now (and I was a diehard Tide user) and we LOVE it!

    Do you make your own fabric softner too? (I haven't had a chance to surf your blog yet - but I will :), I just found it through Homemaker Monday) If not, check here (http://moneylessmomma.blogspot.com/2009/10/stop-buying-fabric-softenerno-really.html) I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Frugal farmhouseMarch 22, 2010 at 11:20 AM

    Holly- Thank you for stopping by! If you do try it please let me know. I'm interested to see how others like it :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Frugal farmhouseMarch 22, 2010 at 11:22 AM

    Jessica- That is great to hear! I really enjoy feedback. I haven't tried to make my own fabric softener. I just use vinegar, but I am always up for trying new things! I'll head over and check it out. Thanks for stopping by!

    ReplyDelete
  10. amyMarch 31, 2010 at 10:00 PM

    I'm gonna have to try this, laundry soap costs so much money. Thanks for the tip and recipe.

    ReplyDelete

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