01 March 2012

Laundry Soap

I think I've done a post on laundry soap before.  I've tweaked my recipe since then.



And I've started using my mixer to grate the soap.  I grate at least 4 bars each time I make soap.

The white powdery stuff under the grated soap is...

...washing soda and...

...borax.

1 bar grated Fels-Naptha, 1 cup washing soda, 1 cup borax...

then I add...

1 cup powdered Tide.
I do love my Tide.  I like it just fine as my one and only laundry soap. BUT.  It's expensive. 
Doing it this way I still get the clean smell of tide and the power of Tide but also I get the cleaning power of the homemade stuff too!  Together I have an inexpensive, mean-on-stains laundry soap.
For stains I wet the stained area and rub some of this mixture into the fabric.  Works like a charm for me!

The fact that it looks neat in a glass jar doesn't hurt anything either.

Have you ever made soap?  If you buy your laundry soap what kind is your favorite?

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9 Comments:

Blogger Unknown said...

Jill, Thanks for this post! I have a question for you, as I just started making my own laundry soap. I used Fels Naptha, Washing Soda and Borax, but the recipe I used called for melting it all down in hot water and then adding more water to make a liquid soap. Unfortunately, it doesn't work too great on grass-stained jeans. How much dry soap do you add to your washer? I have had to use double the recommended amount on my boys jeans... :P Thanks!

March 1, 2012 at 11:25 AM  
Blogger Mrs White said...

Wow. I must say, that was quite interesting. The stuff you used I have never seen before with the exception of maybe the Tide and probably the Arm and Hammer. I know in Canada we often have different products than other places sometimes. I have never ever thought about making my own laundry detergent. Wow.
Thanks again for sharing.

Mrs White
http://bringingfurmanhome.blogspot.com

March 1, 2012 at 4:28 PM  
Blogger b.ellen said...

Well maybe I could make laundry soap again...with your addition of Tide! My homemade didn't get T's work clothes clean enough...Great Idea! Thanks!

March 1, 2012 at 6:16 PM  
Blogger deborah said...

Tide is my favorite laundry soap, hands down. BUT-it is expensive!

The mixer is a great idea for grating the soap. You would think I could've thought of that! I haven't made any soap for a while because I've been using coupons when Dillon's has sales and getting some really good deals. I still have some stuff to make some and I'm going to give it a try with your additions.

March 1, 2012 at 10:03 PM  
Anonymous Betsy K. said...

Thanks for this "tide additive" idea!! I also like the grating it with the mixer idea... my food processor struggles sometimes. Thanks Jill!! :)

March 2, 2012 at 11:41 AM  
Blogger Sue said...

Jill, I made some soap a couple of years ago, but I have an HE washer and had to to the liquid version. I didn't like the way it kept separating- I had to stir and shake to try and get a good mix. If I still had a regular washer, I think I'd make it again, but only to use for very lightly soiled items. I agree with many who say it didn't clean well enough. Guess that's why you're using a commercial detergent as an additive, right? I grew up in a Tide household- it is a good product- just expensive!

March 3, 2012 at 6:56 AM  
Blogger OrchidsandLaundry said...

I use this same basic recipe except as one other one posted, I melt it and add water. It will make enough to fill a 5 gal bucket of gel soap and is then a fraction of the cost of store bought. Tide would probably make a good add-in to boost cleaning power and scent. I add extra bleach or borax as needed for extra dirty loads.

March 4, 2012 at 9:06 PM  
Blogger Jen said...

Hi Jill, I see you're in Ohio. So am I!

I've made this homemade laundry soap before but found that after about a dozen loads or so, clothing would start to smell a little of BO, like it was not getting completely clean. Have you ever noticed this, or is my family just particularly stinky : )

March 5, 2012 at 1:54 PM  
Blogger Sew a Fine Seam said...

We had that very thing happen after using the liquid. we had used the liquid for over a year before we noticed it though so that is a lot longer than most people who have this complaint. we don't have the issue as mcuh with the powdered. the addition of the tide takes that away completely. i also will add a TBS or two of oxyclean to my whites every now and then just for some extra freshness.

March 5, 2012 at 5:14 PM  

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