Sunday, January 2, 2011

Making your own laundry soap



Something that I have started enjoying immensely is caring for my family and cutting costs by making products where I can from scratch. My family has very sensitive skin and most commercial laundry detergent caused itchy skin and breakouts, in addition I am washing clothes for little ones which again calls for "clean" detergent. I was searching high and low as many soaps for sensitive skin did not get our clothes clean and those that got our clothes clean where astronomical in cost.

I have found a recipe for this liquid laundry detergent and it works wonderful. No more breakouts and itchy skin and our clothes get nice and clean. You can make the detergent scented simply by adding approximately 10 drops of your favorite essential oil.

In addition to working for my family it also works for my budget. One batch of this soap makes about 2 gallons and the cost is around $2 if not less :)

The ingredients are simple-
6 cups of water
1/4 bar Felts Naptha Soap- grated
1/2 bar Dr. Bronners Bar Soap- grated
1/2 cup Borax
3/4 cup Washing Soda

4 cups hot water

3 to 5 gallon bucket
1.5 gallons water

Heat 6 cups of water over medium heat in a large pot. Add the grated soap and let it melt together. Once melted add the borax and washing soda. Stir until it dissolves and starts to thicken. Turn off heat and add 4 cups of hot water and stir together. Pour the contents of the pot into the large bucket filled with 1.5 gallons of water. Stir and let sit over night. Once set up either stir together by hand or mix with an immersion blender. The soap is now ready to use.

This soap works great for HE washers as it is low-suddsing. I use about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of soap for a very full load of laundry.


I hope you give this a try - enjoy!!

Welcome 2011!!!!!!

Here is to another year, another opportunity and so many more memories!

What a year 2010 has been to us. Many things have changed yet stayed the same and many dreams have been placed in my heart. I believe that these passions and desires will only grow in the coming year and I am excited to see what will evolve out of my hearts desires.

2010 will go down in my books as a year of hidden treasures, as I never really felt that the year brought many awe inspiring moments yet managed to bring many blessings and revelations that might have gone amiss in those big moments that we sometimes yearn after.
I am truly grateful for the lessons that have been learned and the growth we have experienced as a family.

As we are looking upon 2011 I am convinced that this will be a wonderful year, filled with God's love and grace and abundant moments of awe inspiring beauty.
So buckle up and let's get ready for the ride!!!!!!!!!!!