It’s True: I make my own laundry soap

DIY laundry soap.
My DIY laundry soap is great for High Efficiency (HE) washers and regular washers alike.  I was skeptical at first but decided the cost savings was worth a try.  I don’t plan on turning back.
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Buy one of these big guys in the camping section of your local Walmart or Target.  I have a 5 gallon one with a pour spout.  So easy for doing laundry!
DIY laundry soap
Just 3 ingredients!  (add water)  I find these 3 things on the bottom shelf of the laundry aisle in Walmart.  They are inexpensive and I get several loads out of each box of washing soda and borax.  Fels-Naptha is a mere $0.97.
DIY laundry soap
I have a grater just used for laundry soap.  You don’t want to grate cheese on a grater after using it for the bar of soap.  Also, don’t was the soap grater in the dishwasher.  The extra soap will leave a film on your dishes.  Just rinse with hot water.

The DIY laundry soap may smell strong when grating it, but when diluted to 5 gallons, it is perfect.  Very mild and my clothes never have a soap smell.  My husband is sensitive to laundry detergents and this works great for him
DIY laundry soap
Just fill your pot with water and melt the soap.  Don’t let it get too bubbly and suds up.  That will just make a mess…..I guess maybe it would be an easy clean of your stove top!

This DIY laundry soap works wonders on stains.  I just rub a little on and let it set a bit.  The time it sets depends on the type of stain.  This stuff works wonders on baby poo stains….seriously, my daughters clothes always look wonderful.

I wash all of my clothes with this soap, even delicates.  I don’t have a problem with fading or stains.  I cant say enough about the quality. 

I have been using this recipe for almost 10 months now and I don’t plan to change a thing.  My 5 gallon jug lasts about 5 months.  And when I break down the cost, you guys wont believe it….. $3 for my 5 gallon batch!  That’s right!  $3 for laundry soap for 5 months. 

That is just plain crazy.  And we do A LOT of laundry.  Probably 6-8 loads a week with towels and bedding. 

Give this stuff a try.  If you don’t like it, you are only out $3 and your time.

DIY Laundry Soap
1 bar Fels-Naptha soap
½ cup Borax
1 cup Washing soda (don’t use regular baking soda)
5 gallon container.  I love mine that has a pour spout
cheese grater
½ cup measuring cup

1. Grate your bar of soap and slowly melt it over medium heat in a sauce pan filled with water.  Be sure to use enough water that all of the soap will disolve.  I find that 5 cups usually does the trick.
2. Fill your jug with about 1 gallon of HOT water and mix in 1 cup washing soda and ½ cup Borax.  Add in the melted soap.  Stir well.
3. Add in 2 gallons water and mix well.  Let set and thicken about 20 minutes.  Fill the container the rest of the way to equal your 5 gallons.  Mix well. 

I let this set overnight with the lid off to cool and thicken. 

Use ½ cup for top load washers (even HE) and ¼ cup for front load washers.

Found useful my DIY laundry soap recipe? Read DIY Chai Mix

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12 Comments

  1. Thanks for posting this. We bought the stuff on amazon and just made up a batch yesterday. So far two loads and it seems to work great.

  2. I make mine own too, but I use powdered. I never liked liquid detergent. It takes about 5-10 mins to make and it last ( depending on who all uses it, live with 5 adults) a good month or more. My favorite thing about it, is it smells so fresh and my cloths come out smelling fresh, not perfume-y.
    I use 2 bars grated Fels-Naptha
    2 cups each borax and washing soda.
    I grate mine in food processor and add borax and washing soda just to make sure everything is nicely mixed together. Each load uses 2 tbsp of detergent. so much cheaper, easier, and way less messy. It doesn't clop up in the machine like store bought can

  3. I'm making my first batch this week!! 🙂 Do you use a special pan for melting your soap? or do you just use one of your cooking saucepans??

  4. So glad you posted this! Seems like a no-brainer 😉 I would also like to know if it needs to be stirred. Does it separate at all? Thanks! 🙂

  5. Thank you for sharing - I'm definitely up to trying this receipe. I hope to post later how much I loved it. ! DO you mind if I repin?

  6. I'm going to try this. However, do you have to stir the mixture occasionally? Does it separate?

    1. At the very begining, it may seperate a bit. I find that it is a bit watery. But it doesnt make any difference. The second half of the batch is a more thick consistency. But, like a said, it doesnt matter. I stir it if there is a problem with clumps....but that has only happened once because of the type of spout that was on my first container.

  7. I'm going to try this. I do find it odd that the whole right side advertising on your Blog consists of washing detergent ads on the day you have posted this. :o)

  8. I made this for the first time last week ! And my clothes look cleaner and smell even fresher than ever ' I will never go back ' I got my supplies from rural king ' takes only a few minutes to make 'I love it !

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