Homemade Laundry Soap Recipe

Posted on Thursday, February 7, 2008 at 04:20 - Post Comment

This is the recipe my family uses to make homemade laundry soap. We have been using this recipe for six years. It make five gallons of soap!!!

To make it, you will need:

• 1 Whole Bar of Fels-Naptha
• A Large Pot
• 1 or 2 Cups of Borax (it works as a deorderizer)
• 1 Cup of Arm & Hammer Washing (not baking) soda
• A Five-Gallon Bucket
• A Large Stick to Stir with. Broom handles, yard sticks, or a stick from a tree will work fine.

First, grate the bar of Fels-Naptha.

After the whole bar is grated, cover the grated soap with very hot water from the tap. Now, put the pot on the stove with a lid. Melt the soap on medium-high temperature, stir occasionally so the soap won't stick.

In the meanwhile, while the grated soap is on the stove melting, put the Borax and Arm & Hammer washing (not baking) soda in the five gallon bucket. Fill the bucket with hot water, leave enough room in the bucket to put your pot of melted soap in. Now, stir, make sure you stir the bottom of the bucket!

By this time you grated soap and water mixture should be melted. You now can put it into the five gallon bucket. Rine your pot to make sure there is no soap left inside. Stir the soap again and your are done. You can use it right away, but I like to let it set over-night before use.

This is what it will look like after it sets awhile. It will get thick and gel-like. Be sure to stir often. I like to put mine in juice containers and set it by the washer. When I wash, I use one cup of soap per a load. We have tried many different recipes, but this is our favorite!

 You can buy Fels-Naptha from the Dial company or from www.soapsgonebuy.com. I think Kroger sells it too, but it is cheaper for us to buy it online. We were able to get Borax from Wal-Mart and the Arm & Hammer Washing (not baking) soda from our local grocery store.

 Does anybody else use this recipe?

                           Belle

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Posted by a1health on Thursday, February 7, 2008 at 05:43 - Link

Thank you for the soap recipe and the step by step instructions.
Have a great day.
~Farrah

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Posted by HSBFrontPorch on Friday, February 8, 2008 at 09:24 - Link

Welcome to HSB! If there is anything I can do for you, don't hesitate to ask!

Kris Price
Senior Editor, HomesteadBlogger.com

We just use.....

Posted by poppy on Friday, February 8, 2008 at 12:23 - Link

We just use Fels-Naptha when we wash clothes by hand. I am afraid Mother and Myself are allergic to most soaps, but this does sound interesting. I know mother cannot use Arm&Hammer on her skin.

Your Friend,

~Mary-Ann~

Nice blog

Posted by hanemlee on Friday, February 8, 2008 at 04:36 - Link

I always love when people give pics to go along with recipes! You have a nice blog.
Talk to you later!
Lee

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Posted by Sara on Saturday, February 9, 2008 at 12:26 - Link

Hi Belle!

I've been using this recipe for almost a year now, and we love it! It's so easy, and so inexpensive! I would bet I save at least 8 dollars a month just by making our own laundry soap. I also make our own rinse or softener, and spot remover.

Thanks for sharing with us!
sara

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Posted by littlecreek on Saturday, February 9, 2008 at 10:44 - Link

I think I'm going to try that. :)
I wonder how many loads can be used with one recipe?
The pictures are great too and helpful.
Jenelle

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Posted by MeadowRose on Thursday, April 3, 2008 at 05:53 - Link

Wow, thanks so much for this!
How long does it last for?

Homemade Laundry Detergent

Posted by toby0131 on Sunday, April 27, 2008 at 07:09 - Link

Yes,
We make this same soap and it sure does smell good. I actually like the Fels Naptha soap better than straight ivory - seems to make the laundry smell better.
Blessings,
Michelle