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!!