Homemade Laundry Soap

So a while back some of my 0n-line friends were talking about how much money they save by making their own laundry soap. I decided, since it sounded like fun and who doesn't like to save some money, I would try it. I found a "recipe" and went to work. I've been using it now for about 6 months and I love it! It smells good and really is much much cheaper. So since I've gotten my friend Lisa converted over I figured I would share it with anyone that still checks my blog.

Laundry Soap

1 quart water (boiling)
2 cups bar soap (grated)
2 cups Borax
2 cups Washing Soda

*Add finely grated bar soap to the boiling water and stir until soap is melted. You can keep on low heat until soap is melted.

*Pour the soap water into a large, clean bucket and add the Borax and Washing Soda. Stir well until all is dissolved.

*Add 2 gallons of water, stir until well mixed.

*Cover pail and use 1/4 cup for each load of laundry. Stir the soap each time you use it. (it will gel)


*For the bar soaps you can use Fels-Naptha, Ivory, Sunlight Bar soap, Kirks Hardwater Castile, and Zote. Ivory works well also. Don't use heavily perfumed soaps.


I like the Fels-Naptha soap the best. It has a nice fresh almost lemon-y smell to it. The Fels-Naptha bar is also a bit bigger and one bar equals the 2 cups you need. The other bars are a little smaller so you end up needing more than one.

All of the ingredients can be found in the laundry soap isle at the grocery store. I keep mine in a big bucket and fill up a old laundry detergent bottle just so it is easier to dispense and you can shake it to mix it up a bit before you pour.

I've been really happy with this recipe and so far it has worked great, has gotten out all the stains and dirt a 4 year old can manage. It also doesn't seem to fade clothes as fast as some other store bought brands and its better for the environment.