anyone else make their own laundry detergent?

[juliana_sd]

Do you really only need a tablespoon?? I'm wondering if using less regular laundry soap would work as well. I buy the enormous powdered Tide and it lasts me almost a year for about $20.

 

[worm761]

yes, i really only use a tablespoon. two if the clothes are really dirty. i don't know about using that little with regular store bought detergents. you have to remember that when you are making your own you are leaving out alot of unneccesary ingredients that manufactorers put in soap. for instance..a sudsing agent. which is why when you make your own you don't get all those suds.

 

[mtblujeans]

Interesting thread.

 

[jjhardy]

This is a little OT but in the same family as this subject. I have been trying to find a cart to put my laundry basket on when I'm outside at the line so I don't have to bend over to get the clothes out. It's been hard to find does anyone know where I can get one or can you give me ideas so my basket isn't on the ground?

 

[terri01p]

I wanted to ask, does the laundry detergent get bad after it sits for a while, if you make enough to last lets say 6 months doesn't it get bad sitting in the bucket ?

Also where do you get these oils that give it some smell, I would really like to try this but my dh is the type that if it doesn't smell it can't be clean

TIA

 

[Mouseless2Long]

I forgot to say how to grate the soap. The Fels Naptha soap comes in bars, like regular soap. I first grate it in my food processor, then put the blade in and run it for a little while until it's very fine.

I've read that if you can't get Fels Naptha soap that you can use Ivory soap. Has anyone else had to make this substitute? I would really like to do this and if I can't find the Fels Naptha (although I haven't even checked this out yet), I'd like to use the Ivory soap. I'd prefer to not have to order ingredients. I'd like to be able to find them at local stores.

 

[neatokimmo]

I made a batch with a Calgon or Colgate (can't remember) laundry bar and it did work well. What I like about homemade is the zero fragrance. You take out your laundry and it just smells like water

I couldn't get the powdered version of this to work for me. My HE machine would leave residue. But when I melted it down I liked it a lot. I've been lazy, its time to make more.

BTW, you can get 5 gallon white buckets from Home Depot in the paint department.

 

[worm761]

terri01p~ i make a couple months worth at a time and have never had it go bad. the container i bought isn't that big, but has a screw on top. i live in florida so humidity is an issue. i have only had to make it twice since i started doing this. so a little bit goes a really long way.
as for scents- i can get them at the flea market. but anywhere you can get essential oils. and then just choose a scent you like. i know they sell them at the all natural food stores or the herbal stores if you have those in your area.

Mouseless2Long~ i have heard of other people using just about any bar soap you can think of. i elliminated it from ours because i am allergic to the lye in the soap. i can only use glycerin based soaps and i have no idea how my son would react to that. so really not worth the shot in my house. but go ahead and use the ivory soap. i know someone who uses dial and another woman uses irish spring because they like the smells better.

jjhardy~ have you looked in hardware stores? like lowes or home depot for a cart on wheels? or the automotive type places? i would think one of those places might have what you are looking for.

 

[addicted2dizney]

I've read that if you can't get Fels Naptha soap that you can use Ivory soap. Has anyone else had to make this substitute? I would really like to do this and if I can't find the Fels Naptha (although I haven't even checked this out yet), I'd like to use the Ivory soap. I'd prefer to not have to order ingredients. I'd like to be able to find them at local stores.

I'm going to try the Ivory because I'm thinking I can buy it cheaper than the Fels Naptha. I had never heard of it until a few years ago and I have a bar of it in my laundry area now. I just rub it on a dampened stain and it takes it right out! I'm sure it will work wonders in laundry detergent. You can find it right in the laundry section of your supermarket. I could not believe this product was right under my nose for years and I just never paid any attention to it! It's great!

 

[jinia]

I had never even heard of this!! I would love to try and make my own laundry soap! Thanks for the great thread !!!

 

[PADISFAM]

carol1231 - i started doing because it was cheaper. take the cost of one container of the laundry soap you use. and figure out how long it lasts for you. now i was buying at least on container of laundry soap a month. i spent $12 (about but $15 max) on the stuff to make this. that includes a container to keep it in. i didn't have anything on hand. that was back in late february early march. i have made a few batches. and still have more supplies left. probably won't have to buy any ingredients for at least another month or so. part of what used up some of my supplies was my sister being here for a month with her two kids. that doubled the amount of laundry done in my house. i also wash my uniforms separately from all other clothes. the smell from the restaurant tends to go into the other clothes. though i have noticed it doesn't do it with this soap. anyway i guess i am saying that i will have spent less than $30 for an entire years worth of laundry soap. so worth the expense to me.

hope i helped!

wow- very cool! DH & I have been talking budget---I recently changed jobs & took a pretty big cut (although--timewise I'm coming out ahead) anywoo --with the prices on everything going up-- we are looking for ways to cut back. I started cutting my dryer sheets in 1/2 (notice no change--thanks guys ) & am using vinegar for cleaning (haven't used it as a softener yet as I still have some left.)

 

[worm761]

i just did the same thing! LOL quit my job so i could be home more. took a huge pay cut but i get to see my family again! congrats on the move for you! this is definitely a money saver for me. i don't even go down those aisles in the store anymore. the only laundry thing i have bought recently was the dryer balls. cuts down on my dry time. like it so far.

 

[disneedee]

i've never heard of making your own laundry soap. sounds intriging. i'd like to try this.

mobile laundry cart=laundry basket in kids wagon

 

[worm761]

i never thought to tell her a wagon! great idea! i bet you could find one at a garage sale too.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

I have been using "green " detergents ie ones that won't harm the environment. How do these homemade detergents compare to the "green" ones that can be purchased?

 

[fkj2]

I had never even heard of this!! I would love to try and make my own laundry soap! Thanks for the great thread !!!

Fels Naptha is an old soap. My mom used to keep a bar to use on tough stains or when Dad or the sibling needed to wash grease off their hands from working with the machinery. It's a great soap!

 

[abeyst]

Fels Naptha is an old soap. My mom used to keep a bar to use on tough stains or when Dad or the sibling needed to wash grease off their hands from working with the machinery. It's a great soap!

I didn't hear about it until I had poison oak and my ex-MIL brought it over to use in the shower and on my clothes. Guess it's supposed to help remove the oaky stuff that made me itch?

I'll be trying some of these recipes next month when we get back from FL. Thanks for starting this thread!

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

What a great thread, I am going to have to try this out. Thanks.

 

[Kycha]

I have been using "green " detergents ie ones that won't harm the environment. How do these homemade detergents compare to the "green" ones that can be purchased?

I found this blog about homemade detergent. They suggest using castille soap rather than Fels Naptha which has petrochemicals.
http://modcottage.com/?p=117

Lynn in Tucson said,

May 17, 2007 @ 12:22 am
I just learned that Fels Naptha soap is actually a petrochemical:
Depending on what you’re looking to keep out of your laundry, castille soap might be a better bet.

modcottage said,

May 18, 2007 @ 12:34 pm
Yes, it’s good to note that Fels Naptha is a petrochemical and castille is a totally viable option. Even if you do go with the Fels Naptha though, you’re still using approximately 1/16th the amount of detergents and petrolium by products you would have used with store-bought soap. So, in my view, still a step in the right direction.
Also, you would want to be avoid the fels naptha if you capture your laundry gray water for gardening.

 

[Mickeyorbust]

I've read that if you can't get Fels Naptha soap that you can use Ivory soap. Has anyone else had to make this substitute? I would really like to do this and if I can't find the Fels Naptha (although I haven't even checked this out yet), I'd like to use the Ivory soap. I'd prefer to not have to order ingredients. I'd like to be able to find them at local stores.

I make it with Ivory Soap and it works great. DD6 has eczema, so I used to have to wash her clothes seperately with a perfume free detergent and fabric softener, which are more expensive. I don't get that, they're taking away ingredients, perfumes, so how does it cost more? Anyway, the homemade detergent made with Ivory and vinegar as fabric softener doesn't irritate her skin. Not only do I save money by making my own detergent but i save on doing fewer loads.