Homemade laundry soap: One year later. . .

Almost one year ago we began making our own laundry soap and I haven't looked back. It is simple to make and I have been very pleased with the results. I have not any issues with stain maintenance, and I have even been washing muddy play clothes with it. . .manure has yet to be tested. 

I had come across some old pictures from the day we made it for the first time that Farmboy never got around to adding to the origional post, so I thought I would let you all in on the process he documented here on that February day at Grandma's house. 

- Supplies:  soap, borax, washing soda, and a bucket with lid = $12.51

- Time to complete: 20 to 30 min. (including cleanup)

- Difficulty:  1 easy to 5 hard  = 1

F.Y.I. I have not had to purchase any more of these supplies since the first batch, 

so the $12.51 has lasted us for the whole year!

For the recipe you will need:

1/3 bar soap

1/2 cup washing soda

1/2 cup borax

water

The first step was to grate the soap.

Add it to 6 cups of water and heat it until the soap melts.

It should look like this.

Next add the washing soda and borax and stir until disolved.

Pour 4 cups of hot water into your 2 gallon bucket, add the soap mixture and stir. 

Then add 1 gallon and 6 cups of water. 

If you do your math right you will end up with 2 gallons of laundry soap. 

You will need to let it sit overnight while it thickens. 

It will be kinda lumpy, but I pour it into an old detergent container and then 

just shake before each use. You will need to use about 1/ 2 cup per load. 

It does not get sudsy, so it is perfect for use in HE washers as well!

So the bottom line is that you get 2 gallons of soap that does what it is supposed to do for about $0.70.

I like them numbers!

Link to Homestead Revival