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Sunday, October 31, 2010

Laundry Soap

{Note:  I recently added the recipes for both the paste and powdered versions of this soap to the Recipes tab at the top of this blog. There is a print feature at the end of each recipe that makes it easy to print a copy without all the blog blather included :) }

I became interested in making my own laundry soap as a creative/cooking/money-saving plan and found I quite enjoyed the result.  I began by doing a little research, recipe reading, and experimentation and came up with something that works really well for me. 

I wanted something easy to make and easy to store. Most of the recipes I read called for a lot of water (for liquid soap) and, therefore, a lot of storage containers. The dry soap recipes all seemed too complex and cumbersome. {UPDATE:  See the Recipes tab above for my SIMPLE dry version!}

I keep my soap in quart-size canning jars with plastic lids and I have a long handled tablespoon I use to put the soap in the washer. I add the laundry soap as the washer is filling and rinse the soap into the washer from the spoon. (One quart of this soap will clean 64 loads of laundry!)

As with the soap I purchase (or formerly purchased) at the store I sometimes use bleach or oxyclean for extra whitening.  I don’t find I do this any more or less often than before.  If I have a tough stain I rub in a little of the concentrate and it seems to take out everything I’ve tried it on.

All of the ingredients are available in the laundry aisle at the grocery store.  If your store doesn’t carry one of the products, look online.  All of them are available at Amazon.com.

It costs about 1.7 cents per load (Tablespoon) of this laundry soap.

The following is my highly concentrated recipe.  One tablespoon of soap does a whole load of wash! (I have a high capacity washer.)

White Silk Purse Laundry Soap
~ makes 4 quarts {one gallon} of concentrate ~
~  that's 256 loads of laundry! ~

2 bars Fels Naptha
2 cups 20 Mule Team Borax
2 cups Arm & Hammer Washing Soda
6 cups of hot water (+ more water as needed)

Put 6 cups of water on to heat. It will almost boil by the time you are done.  While the water is heating, grate the Fels Naptha.  I cut the bars in half the long way and run them through my food processor with the grater attachment, but it could be grated by hand. Add the soap to the water that is heating, and stir frequently.  This part takes 10 – 15 minutes.  Keep stirring until the soap is completely melted. Don’t let this boil or you’ll have soap all over the place. (Don’t ask!)

When the soap has melted turn off the heat and add the Borax and the Washing Soda. (Do not confuse Washing Soda with baking soda.  They are NOT the same.  Washing Soda is in the laundry aisle.) Stir and stir and stir. You will stir for about three minutes.  The powders will dissolve into the liquid.

Pour the liquid equally into 4 quart jars. Now, add just enough water to bring the contents up to the “shoulders” of the jar.  This will leave about 1 ½ inches of headspace.  Put lids on the jars and let them sit overnight (about 8 hours).

The soap in the jars will separate while it is standing. This is OK. There will be firm soap on top and kind of gel-like soap on the bottom. Sometimes "crystals" form at the bottom of the jar, don't worry.

This next part is really quite fun.  Take one of the jars and cut up the firm soap.  I just stick a knife down into the jar and cut it up like a pie. Next, pour all of this into your blender of mixing bowl I have a BOSCH. Now, because I am frugal I pour about 3 tablespoons of water into the quart jar and swish it around to get all the rest of the soap out.  If there are crystals, I use HOT water and stir a bit. I add this to the blender too.

 Start on the lowest speed of your blender or mixer and increase  the speed gradually.  Your result will be something that looks like really thick, pale yellow whipped cream. You may need to scrape the sides down with a spatula a few times to get it all the way blended/mixed. It's like creaming the butter, sugar and eggs when you make cookies. (I can blend/mix two jars at a time in my Bosch bowl.) 

Pour/spoon the now blended soap back into the quart jar(s).  Your jar(s) will be all the way full now and you may even have a little more for another jar. Pop a lid onto the jar(s) and your soap will keep indefinitely. It gets a little firmer in the jar when it sits, but it stays spoonable.

Just a few notes: The following makes 12 quart jars of laundry soap--

ª     •  6 bars of Fels Naptha (.99 each), 1 box of 20 Mule Team Borax ($4.15), and 1 box Arm & Hammer Washing Soda ($2.79) {then there was a little tax - .86 cents}

ª     • I made 12 quarts of concentrate for $13.74.  That means it costs 1.7cents per load J. That also nearly uses up the above ingredients. (Sometimes I find the products on sale for even less, then I buy more!)

ª     • I had a little Borax left over… It’s good for lots of stuff. Read the box.

ª      • 12 quarts of soap would do just over 14 loads of wash a week for a year!

ª     • I thought I’d need about 18 quarts for a year’s supply at my house.

ª      • The supplies for the soap are easy to store.  I don’t feel compelled to make it all at once.

ª      • I use a Bounce Bar in my dryer.  I think it is the best anti-static and smell good invention of all time.
    
 June, 2011 -- I've tried the recipe dry this summer and have been happy with the result; especially happy that it only takes about 5 minutes to make and then does the job just as well.  Here is the recipe: Grate two bars of Fels Naptha, then run the blade in your food processor that turns it into "powder."  It won't be quite as fine as real powdered soap, but very close.  Then add two cups of Borax and two cups of washing soda.  It only takes TWO TEASPOONS to do a large load.  I have a soup spoon that holds two teaspoons that I use to measure. -- The hardest part is thinking that two teaspoons will do the job, but it does! -- I do keep a jar of the paste kind on hand to rub into tough stains.  I live in a farming area and have a friend who says it even gets ground in cow plop out of her husbands jeans (apparently that is her toughest stain to conquer).


122 comments:

  1. I am so excited to make this with Melissa. I too use the bounce bar. :)

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  2. I think I will have to call you Mormon Martha.

    This is a great idea and looks fun to make! And the price is AMAZing---for just a little work.

    WOW!

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  3. Wow -- that is amazing! Thanks so much for sharing!

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  4. You are amazing! This sounds great!

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  5. Hi Dana,
    Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving your nice comment about my old trowel turned hanger. I hung it using Scotch Brand heavy duty mounting squares and it seems like it is up there to stay! Hope that helps.
    Jane

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  6. Thank you for the recipe Dana! A so-called friend on Facebook bragged that she made her own laundry soap but, despite requests from the rest of us, did not publish the recipe. Well, who needs her now? Ha!

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  7. What size bars of soap did you use (oz)? Can't wait to try this recipe. Thanks, Kim

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  8. I've only seen one size of FelsNaptha Bars, they are 5.5 oz. Good Luck! It's really fun! I am just finishing up 24 jars! (12 each for two of my kids)

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  9. I love this. I use this same recipe but add a ton of water. I'm going to try this next time. Can I link your blog to mine? I have a link to my homemade laundry soap recipe and would love to share yours as well.
    gardenviewcottage.blogspot.com

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  10. is this safe for high efficiency washing machines? looks great!!!!

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  11. This sounds great. You say you have a high capacity washer... it it high efficiency? If not do you know if this recipe is ok for HE?

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  12. This sounds great! You say you have a high capacity washer... is it high efficiency? If not do you know if this recipe will be ok in a HE? Thanks

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  13. I loved this recipe and I've made 2 batches. I posted about it on my blog this afternoon with a link back here. Thank you, Maria

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  14. I love this recipe! I have tried a few and always have gone back to store bought because they don't work...this works so well that I have shared the recipe! Thank you!

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  15. I also made this soap and loved it very much, its fast, easy, to make and I love the smell of the laundry after it drys.

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  16. Is this safe for high efficiency washers?

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  17. Will this work in a front load washer as well?

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  18. Does this work in cold water or only in warm/hot washing water? I wash nearly everything on cold, so I've been a little hesitant to try making my own detergent.

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    1. I've used the powder version for a few months now (the one she tacked onto the June 2011 post) and it works fine, has nearly no smell or suds (so it's safe for front loading washers), but was also skeptical as to weather or not it thoroughly dissolves. I haven't found any residue left over but how much residue could 2 tablespoons even produce anyways? I ran it all through a food processor just to make sure it dissolved. HOWEVER I am going to try this "whipped" recipe next seeing as it already PRE-DISSOLVES the soap.

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    2. Hey.. I have found it does leave a little bit of powdery residue on the dark clothes... SO what I have been doing if fill the washer with hot water on the lowest water setting with no clothing in it. Let it agate a min or so and then fill the rest with cold. That way it is all dissolved and mixed up before the clothes and more water...

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  19. In response to the above questions: YES, YES, and YES. It does work in HE washers, front loading washers, and in cold water. I have, most often, been using the powdered version because it it so much quicker to make. I do, however, keep some of the paste on hand for handling tough stains. I just rub in a little and launder as usual. It removes nearly anything!!

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  20. Does anyone know if this is safe for cloth diapers? I am assuming it is, but just want to check! Thanks! Never made my own soap, but since I have 2 in cloth right now, we're buying a new container of laundry soap about 4 times a year.

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    1. It's probably not safe. Pinstripesandpolkadots.com has a list of what's safe for diaper laundry. I always used a free and clear because the investment of diapers wasn't worth ruining or spending hours stripping them.

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    2. I know people that use this on diapers and they say it works fine.

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  21. This recipe sounds great! One question. How do you use it in a front load washer? You said you add it as the washer is filling and then rinse off your spoon. I am not able to do that with my front load washer. Would I add it to the dispenser along with some water?

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  22. Kim, I had the same question. I have a front loader too and I just plopped a spoonful in my washer before i closed the door and then put my liquid softener in the little drawer like usual and that seemed to work fine...but I'm still interested in what Dana has to say.

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  23. I don't use a front loader, but friends who do just add it with their clothing. Seems to work fine.

    Glad you're using the recipe.

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  24. I've used this recipe for awhile now, except for the blending part-i think yours would do the trick! Also,I hate buying dryer sheets so i found old baby blankets at yard sales & i cut them up in strips(the size of a dryer sheet) I have baby wipe containers I have my cousin to 'collect for me'. Then i just bunch them up & toss them in the container, pour1/4-1/2cup(for an entire receiving size baby blanket) of fabric softener in & mix until they're coated. I keep the lid open for them to dry or sometimes i lay them across the picnic table out back. But after they're dry, one can be used up to 5 times. Then i put it at the bottom of the container. I've used This one batch for 6months & still have quite a bit to go. You may have to add more softener when you get through them all-BUT i Love doing it this way!!

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  25. Hi, this sounds like a great thing to do! One question. I have a thing about keeping food items for food only and using utensils for crafts and stuff like this in a separate place. You sound like you are using your food stuff for soap though. Is that really ok? (Because I'm pretty sure I would love that, just not sure if it wouldn't be harmful...) Thanks in advance!

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    1. wouldn't you use soap to clean your food items?

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  26. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS RECIPE! Sorry, I'm not yelling, just excited! :) I like that you gave both a liquid and a powdered version. Do you have a recipe for dishwasher detergent? Let me know @ burkhart1776@msn.com if you do! Thanks again.
    xoxo
    Joy
    p.s. I'm your newest follower!

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  27. Just wondering if anyone has noticed their color shirts/pants fading? I would love to try this recipe but I'm picky and wont wear a shirt if you can tell its faded! Thanks!

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  28. Hello all! I haven't noticed fading in the years I've used this soap.

    When I make the paste style I use my mixer and cream the ingredients. It's like making cookies, and the consistency of the end result is much like the butter,sugar,egg mixture for cookies

    And, for Sarah, I don't worry about mixing soap with my kitchen utencils and dishes since they are often washed with soap anyhow. ;)

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  29. I am really excited to make this! I have bought all the ingredients so far but wondering if you have any idea how much of each the wet and dry you would add for a load in a regular non-he washer? I want to try making both. Thanks in advance.

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  30. do you know if this works for HE (high efficiency) washers ?

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  31. Do you think it would be possible to make it with another kind of bar soap? My son is allergic to the Fels kind.

    Thanks for the awesome post!

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  32. Thanks for the reply! I bought everything I needed to try it (although the fels naptha was hidden in the laundry isle, it took me a good 5 mins plus a google search on my phone to find out what the packaging looked like!). I think I'll start tonight!

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  33. Oh! And a quick tip I'll try tomorrow when my soap has hardened: A standard size mason jar will fit the detachable piece on most blenders. So you may even be able to skip the steps of taking the soap out of the jars, blending, then putting it back into the jars. The only downside is you cannot fill the mason jar all the way to the top (more like 2/3 to 1/2)

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  34. I love the idea of making my own laundry soap! One question though... could you add essential oils to it? I love the smell of clean laundry and I was thinking about adding a bit of lavender. Would that ruin it? Thanks!!!!!

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  35. I just went out today and bought the ingredients. I can't wait to try it out. Just one question....where do you find the plastic lids and is it ok to use the lids that come with the canning jars.

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  36. I just made the powdered version and it smells great! It actually reminds me of old fashioned laundry, if that makes sense. I can't wait to use it!

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  37. I'm excited to try your method for the soap. have been using dry mix for some time now and love it. I do miss the smell of gain though! But, I had tried the liquid some time back. The "recipe" made enough to fill a 5 gallon bucket, and stayed gloopy. It was so hard to use, I hated it. That's when I went back to the powder version. I just might try this version to see if I like it. @Katherine..I used the powder version and the liquid on cloth diapers and aio's and they were fine, just don't use softener. If you use the bounce bar, just remove it from the dryer before you dry the dipes, or towels for that matter!

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  38. 1. Do you have to use plastic lids when storing the detergent?
    2. If I am only making the paste for a stain fighter, what would the recipe be? I only need one jar for that.

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  39. Great idea to make the paste! I used to use the dry mix but found that we had a lot of spotting on our darks. Do you think I may have used too much detergent? I now have an HE top loading machine and want to try the creamy or liquid kind. I think I may make the paste and just make it into a liquid, as needed. That way, I don't have as much to store. I am anxious to try this again, and hope for success! We have 6 children and I do a LOT of Laundry!!!

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    1. I have the same question/problem. I have been using the white silk laundry purse creamy soap for about a month, and I have been noticing that our darks will have some splotches/white streaks. I am going to try mixing it with water in a cup prior to me dumping it into the washer. Does anyone have any ideas?

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  40. I use the same ingredients, but I grate my soap using the small cheese grate holes (while I watch a movie), and then just mix them together in my container. works great, and I don't have a great mixer. I also use 1 bar of Zote soap sometimes instead of 2 bars of Fels Naptha.

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  41. I have a little boy who has eczema bad...I am really really wanting to make my own, but do you know if it is safe for the little one? Im so tired of dropping 15 bucks for the free and clear every month!
    Thank you!!

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  42. I just whipped up a batch of this, and oh my! does it smell FRESH! I love that it doesn't clump, goo or separate. Because I'm sure that I'll want to vary the fragrance from time to time, do you know if essential oil can be added to this mixture?

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  43. Im using this recipe and loving it. I use white vinegar in the rinse cycle and it takes the place of fabric softener leaving my clothes softer than ever :)

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  44. WARNING! Do not assume that you know more than others while making this soap and add baking soda or oxyclean to the mix. I made this a week ago and because of my newfound love of baking soda, did just that. NO NO NO! It works great and smells wonderful, but NO! If you need me, I'll be in the kitchen cleaning up the laundry soap that is EVERYWHERE due to exploded Mason jars! Lmao only me! They popped their tops after building pressure for a week.... At least I can laugh at myself and pass along that little bit! :D

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  45. I'm going to get the stuff to make this today!!! Wish me luck!!!

    Jennifer

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  46. Thanks so much for this recipe! I made this today and can't wait to see the results! I don't have a high efficiency washer. Should I be using more than 1 tbls per load?

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  47. I'm wondering the same thing as Tess...

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  48. Thank you for sharing your recipe! I made a batch last night and whipped it up today. I can't wait to try it. I have an HE top loader and will let you know how it works for me. Thank you again. Being a single mom on disability, this will come in handy for helping to save money!

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  49. to skip the last step after it cools. after water boils and soap is added turn temp down to a med simmer after melted add soda and stir till completely dissolved and the do same with borax. It will be very creamy, pour into to jars after it cooled the next day was still creamy and never seperated..LOVE this recipe!!!

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  50. I can't wait to try this after reading all the wonderful comments!

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  51. I've been using my laundry detergent for 2 weeks now and I am so impressed! My clothes are cleaner, softer, and fresher than they have ever been. This detergent even took black sharpie marker out of a pair of knit pants!! I have to use 2 Tbsp. in my washer, as it is a super capacity. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for this recipe!! Oh, this made 5 quart jars, 2 large Nutella jars, and one small Nutella jar FULL. I've only used the small and 1 large Nutella jars so far, and I wash on a daily basis.

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  52. I have a question: How much does the dry recipe yield? I'm trying to decide which one I want to try first and also thinking of ways to store it. This is a wonderful idea and cost saver!! Thank you for sharing something like this!

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    1. I used a quart mason jar to make 1/2 a recipe... it's just me and my hubby though ;)

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  53. Can you use castile bar soap in its place?

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  54. hey fyi....if you use a regular mouth mason jar instead of a wide mouth you can screw the blade of your blender onto the mason jar and blend your ingriedents without haveing to do all the transfering back and forth from jar to blender and back to jar :) can't wait to make this and do some laundry

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  55. Hello! Thank you so much for sharing this! Just a couple of questions for you... I made my first batch and I feel like it was not as think as it should have been and still maybe a little bit of grandulars in the finished product. I melted everything and made sure that the borax and arm&hammer were melted. You put in the recipe that after it sits over night, that you would have the hard soap on top (which i had) and a gel like on bottom and possibly crystals on bottom as well. I had the crystals, but the "gel like" was not a gel consistency. It was more of a liquid consistency. I don't know if my finished product turned out correct. It is the consistency of say creamed butter and sugar. Is that right? Your pics look thicker than mine turned out and you said that it is "really thick." Mine is not super thick. I am sure it will work just as well, but I am curious what you think? Any suggestions or feedback?? Thank you :) and thanks again for sharing. I am very excited about it!!!! Hoping that it works well on stains - I have a 13 month old who ruins all her clothes!!

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    1. Mine did the same... But I just finished up my first batch and getting ready to make the second. It worked fine..

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    2. My batch did the same thing; turned out very grainy. This may be a dumb question, but can I reheat what's left of the batch and "whip it up" again, or would that be a bad idea? I LOVE the smell and it does a great job washing the laundry, but I have to dilute the detergent in a jar with near boiling water and then add to my front-loader. That's just a few too many steps than I would like. If I don't dilute it then it just clumps up in my load of laundry. Any help would be appreciated.

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  56. Just made my first batch of this today. Can't wait to run out of my purchased laundry soap so that I can try this soap out! Thanks for sharing! :)

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  57. Is it okay to add essential oils or should we keep that to our fabric softener recipe?

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  58. This is great! I'm going to try it today. Glad to have found you, I'm LDS, too. I'm going to add you to my favorite blog listing at
    http://apronstringsandappletrees.blogspot.com

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  59. I have a front load HE washer and was wondering if you could put the dry soap in the dispenser or do you have to add it to the clothes directly? My washer has a dispenser for Oxi Clean and a special cycle for it. I assume this runs first so I am hesitant to add the soap directly to the clothes. Also, is it safe on baby clothes? I am excited to try this out! Thanks for sharing, you really impact so many people's lives! :)

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  60. I just made the dry detergent last night and I put the soap in the food processor but it would not take the soap to powder or even close. They are more like little balls...is that okay? I still mixed all together and have yet to try it. Wondering if I should have put it in the blender or something. Should I have let the soap out so that it could dry out? Thanks for this information, can't wait to try it.

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  61. I am wanting to make the 12 quarts of this so I can share with my family. How much water did you use for the recipe for 12 quarts?

    6 bars of Fels Naptha (.99 each), 1 box of 20 Mule Team Borax ($4.15), and 1 box Arm & Hammer Washing Soda ($2.79) {then there was a little tax - .86 cents} HOW MUCH WATER?

    Thanks so much in advance!

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  62. I think this is something I'm going to try. I've never heard of that kind of soap up here. Is there a reason for your choice? Couldn't you also us dish soap like Sunlight....it has a grease fighter in it. I used it to spot clean some cloths...worked great. So maybe that would save time in shaving down a bar of soap?

    Laura

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  63. I am allergic to many different soaps could I make this using a soap that does not have any additives in it. No dyes, no perfumes etc.

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  64. This sounds great, but I have a couple of questions. My kids have sensitive skin and I'm wondering if this would be okay for them? Also, along the lines of other questions, I have a front loader and was wondering whether you put the highly concentrated mix directly in the washer or try to put it in the soap dispenser? And if you make the dry detergent do you just put that in the dispenser or into the washer? Thanks so much!

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  65. I don't have a stand mixer. Do you think an old handheld mixer would work?

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  66. Hi Dana. I have a friend who just made the liquid soap for laundry off your site/blog here. I am tempting this myself this weekend and was going to to do the liquid soap as well but now that I read the bottom of this blog about the powder recipe you did, I am torn which to make, but this question may determine the outcome for me, so my question is, do you have any powdery residue in or around your washing machine or left on your clothing from the use of powder? I have alsways used liquid forms of laundry soap because of a powdery residue. Thanks
    Shanna

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  67. I was making my second batch of this recipe and did not read thru the directions before I put everything together. I mistakenly put in the soap and borax while it was melting the fels naptha. I went ahead and made it and poured it up like it says, but did not make near as much as it did the first time. Do you think it will make any difference melting everything together? Please advise...thanks

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  68. by the way my email is leigh_yancey@yahoo.com

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  69. I just found this recipe and made it a few days ago... it turned out as posted, but I have a front loader and it did not dissolve when the water runs through the soap dispenser... and I had to do a load or two twice cause it did not dissolve... I think I will try putting the soap into the washer first or mixing it with hot water first and then putting it in the dispenser..but it does clean well! Thanks for the recipe!

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  70. I originally made mine too thick & it leaves clumps in the wash- any ideas?
    Can I just add some warm water and whip it again or should I heat first?

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  71. Thanks for the recipe, Dana. I starting a new blog and am wondering if you'd give me permission to use your graphic of the jars of detergent in a blog post I am writing about using your detergent. Thanks!

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  72. For the powdered kind I unwrap and let my soap bars really dry out. Then I just grate them with a regular hand-held cheese grater. It comes out as a very fine powder and it doesn't take much time at all.

    I'll admit, I figured this out because I really, really didn't feel like lugging out my food processor and cleaning all the attachments!!! LOL And I always have a bar of Fels naptha by the washing machine to pre-treat stains, so it was really dried out.

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  73. I am with those who said their soap wasn't creamy. First, all my Fels Naptha wouldn't melt... most did. Then, when I added the Washing Soda and Borax, it didn't totally mix in... it's a bit granular. I made half a batch, 'cause I only had 1 soap, but I don't think that should mess anything up. Once it was in the jars, it hardened and separated as you said it should, but the "gel" part wasn't very gel-like, it was more liquid-y. When I ran it through the blender/mixer, it was much more liquid than what yours looks like in the picture. I have now put it back in the jar and I'm waiting to see what happens now.

    Have you had any experiences like this?? I am hoping I haven't messed it up! Thanks!

    ladette[at]live[dot]com

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  74. I have been thinking about making my own soap for some time. I think I will try this recipe. Thank you for sharing.

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  75. How much soap do you use for each load? (for the liquid soap)

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  76. I made this today! Thanks for sharing :) When it cools down and I blend it, I am going to try to add Essential Oil to make it smells nice :) I'm thinking probably lemon EO..maybe some lavendar in another batch :)

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  77. Has anyone used this on cloth diapers and had positive results? I just made my first batch tonight and it's sitting now..

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  78. I made this but it didn't turn out at all like I thought. it was so so so thick and when I tried to mix it nothing really happened. And then I stuck it in the food processor and there were still little hard peices but all together it was like whipped butter.
    So I tried it in the blender and by now I had a major mess and lost so much of it moving it from container to container. The blender didn't do anything anyway and I stuck it in the jars as is.

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  79. How is it with sensitive skin?

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  80. I'm attempting this with vegetable glycerin soap (Fels Naptha uses tallow) So far everything looks good! I guess the real test will be when I'm able to wash a load!

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    1. Thank you, as a vegetarian, I do not use soaps w/ tallow.
      My other question would be: is this soap and its ingredients environmentally friendly? :)

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    2. Which soap did you use? How does it work for you?

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  81. Hello! I love homemade laundry detergent recipes! I started making my own powder version last year & love it. I would like to try tour paste version, but i have a few questions: the powder i use now has oxyclean & baking soda in it, as well as the ingredients you listed. Do you know how much oxyclean powder & baking soda i would need to add to your concentrated recipe?

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    1. I have the same question about the Oxyclean. I want to incooperate it into the mixture, but I'm not sure how much and if it will change the consistency. Have you tried it yet? Thanks!

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    2. As I have mentioned, I use Oxy as needed along with this laundry soap. I don't use Oxy in every load and didn't want to incorporate it into the recipe as I felt I'd need to add the "required" amount for every load. -- So the answer to your question is, "No, I don't know how it would work. I'm sure that it would, but you'll have to experiment to find what works best for you." -- One of my main goals was saving money and by the time I'd add Oxy and something to enhance the smell, and extra this or that, I'd soon be just as far ahead to purchase a name brand detergent. :)

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    3. Can you use Castille soap with this. I have two bars of lavender Castille soap that I need to use up.

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  82. I made this last night. My son has sensitive skin also but I'll try it and see how it works.

    My one small problem I ended up with a soar/dry throat that is still bothering me. Has anyone else had this problem? How do the clothes smell after washing because this soap seems like it has a very strong smell from the soap used.

    I may try this with the vegetable glycerin soap and see how it works.

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  83. I used your recipe on my blog this morning, Thank you! I can't wait to try this one!

    http://whitfieldshomeinthecountry.blogspot.com/2012/06/homemade-laundry-detergent-s.html#

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  84. I am preparing to make a batch of this. I had actually intended to make a different recipe I found on Pinterest but this one sounds even more simple. QUESTION FOR ANYONE....I also purchased product to make my own shampoo and it called for Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Liquid Soap as one of the ingredients. Any suggestions as to whether I can use this rather than the Fels-Naptha bar and if so, how much of the liquid would I use?

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  85. Hi, I found your recipe through Pinterest. Made it last night and am using it already today. I added some essential oils to it and I did add oxyclean. 2 scoops to one jar before it was blended. Next time I will just add the oxyclean to the washer itself. The results of it being in the mixture was that the jar top exploded in my kitchen and out into the garage. So, for anyone wondering.... I'm currently cleaning it up. Otherwise, it works well, I'm trying to adjust the jars for gas buildup.

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  86. I am a gain freak and need more smell! If you want more smell after I am done with the soap I add a half of cup in the pot and let it sit in the mix man does it make a big difference.... I use the purex crystals (3 flavors) at wal-mart or you can now use gain and downy too...

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  87. I've found another recipe that encorporates oxyclean. They use a 1:1 ratio. So if you use one cup of borax and washing soda, you would add one cup of oxy. I have tried this recipe and love it! It cleans extremely well!! I definitely will try this creamy version next. Thanks for sharing!!

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  88. Can you put some essential oils in this?!

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  89. Would it be ok for me to half the recipe? I'm ready to make it, but realize I only have 1 bar of soap!

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  90. Has anyone put fragrance oils or anything in this? I was wondering because i have some nice essential oils!!!

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  91. Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe. It was also so helpful when you answered others questions, because many of them I was asking myself.

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  92. Hi,
    I just found your awesome blog and made your powdered recipe and I was wondering if you really only need 2 teaspoons per load and not 2 tablespoons?
    Thanks for sharing!

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  93. I just wanted to say thank you for this recipe. I have already made one batch of this soap and will be making my second batch this morning. My husband and I are very pleased with the outcome, this soap works great. It took some time getting the children used to using such a small amount for their laundry. My husband loves the smell and the price ;). Thank you again.

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  94. Hi there,

    I can't wait to make this soap. I'm going to try the paste. When making the 12 quart jars, how much water do I need? Also how much Liquid Bluing would I put in??

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  95. I made the dry version of your laundry detergent in September. It works wonderfully well...I came back just to make sure I had understood the correct measurement, 2 teaspoons and yes that is what I was using. Amazing to only have to use a small amount, laundry smells CLEAN and I am thrilled with it. We will be making more soon and my husband was on the bandwagon with no issues at all. Great way to save money! Thank you for your wonderful recipes!

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  96. I'm going to be making the 12 jar recipe tonight. Do I just triple the water? Also has anyone added liquid bluing to their soap? If so how much did you use? The bottle says 1/4t per load.

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  97. As far the paste dissolving. I put one tablespoon of paste on dirtiest shirt, or even a sock. Rub, rub, rub for 15 seconds. Paste is rubbed into fabric. Toss into machine with rest of laundry. The paste will dissolve into water during wash. No residue problems.

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  98. I have been making the same kind now for 2 years, except with all the water. So today I'm not adding all the water. Pouring all that liquid into the jugs is the worst part, and always dreaded. I am going to leave the hot concoction in my pot, until I'm able to blend it. Then I'm planning to put it in an empty Tupperware container. I thought it would be less containers to have to fill. Thank you for this tip. I'm hoping it works well for us.

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  99. Thanks for sharing the recipe of this soap. Nice to read about it.

    Electronics Patent Lawyer

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  100. I've used a similar recipe and have added essential oils with no problems. Sure does make the laundry smell good. I am going to try the paste recipe here next and add oxy to it...The only complaint my husband has is he 'thinks' the whites are not white enough. Thanks for the recipes, I am going to try the dishwasher soap next...Hubby is a non believer LOL I will make him one yet though. "To get things clean you must have SUDS and phosphorous" in other words, he wants a BRAND name sitting on the washer. I am too much of a penny pincher to let him win this one though LOL

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  101. I just made this made this and it works great! We have a well and our water is very "hard" so I was concerned about not getting stuff as clean or soap residue but no problem. :-) I did do something different with mixing part after the soap firmed up. I 1st put the quart of soap into the blender to give a head start on the mixing part before whipping it up in the Kitchen Aid. Took about 3 minutes vs the 8 minutes it took just starting off in the Kitchen Aid. Plus no splashing liquid on the counters.

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  102. I just made my first batch and know it will be great, because I use the same ingredients in a version that isn't concentrated. Just to let you know, this is a great gift to give on birthdays and or holidays. It only cost $16 to give a six month supply to a family of five. Thank you for the recipe.

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  103. I absolutely love this laundry detergent/stain remover and I live the scent it leaves. Just to add, because I dont have the fancy kitchenwares or the patience to grate anything, I chop the Fels-Naptha up as small as I feel like and put it in my $5.00 WalMart mini chopper. Works great. Also, after I pour the liquid in my half gallon size Mason jars and put the lids on, I turn them upside down. The next day, I dont empty the jars. I have a paint stirring attachment for my cordless drill. Also works great. I then tape a paint stirring stick to a metal measuring Tablespoon, to make sure I reach the very bottom of my half gallon jar. Not admitting to being lazy, just like the easy way. Thanks again for a great recipe.

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  104. I must agree with the ladies above. This laundry detergent smells so refreshing. It takes me back to my younger days when my mom would be hand cleaning something with her fels nappa. The only addition is I pulsed in 2 cups of Purex Lavendar crystals with the other ingredients in my food processor. I love this recipe. Thank you for sharing!

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  105. Oh, my word! I LOVE the scent of this! I just finished making my first batch of it according to your recipe. Not sure what I did wrong, but somehow I came out with only 2 1/2 quarts?? I must have mis-measured something. But, anyhow, I can't wait to try it on our next load of laundry!! So happy to have found you...I found you through a pin on pinterest. God bless!

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  106. where did you get that long spoon? I need one that isn't metal and I cant seem to find one anywhere?

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Your thoughts are always welcome!