A Christian Woman Thinks (And It's Dangerous)

Homemade Powdered Laundry Detergent

I thought I'd give this a whirl (literally)... homemade laundry detergent, powdered style (I don't have the patience to make this into gel, although I have seen recipes that enable you to do so).



You use grated up Fels-Naptha soap (or I am told you can use your own homemade soap, or any bar soap here), washing soda, and borax. The recipe is 1 C grated Fels-Naptha (I believe that's the entire bar), 1/2 C soda, 1/2 C borax. I can find the borax and washing soda in a couple of my local markets, but I had to send away for the Fels-Naptha to Soapsgonebuy.com. This adds to the price a bit, as there is shipping to deal with, but it's not bad just for soap bars. You can also buy this ready made (the laundry detergent, with all three ingredients already grated and combined) from the same web site if you want to try it out. Grating the soap was a bit of a pain! You can buy just the Fels-Naptha already grated from Soapsgonebuy if you want to splurge.

How did it work? My clothes smell/look clean, actually they don't have much smell besides just smelling fresh. I am sure if they were hung to dry outdoors they would smell fantastic. I have stopped using fabric softener and can happily report the clothes don't seem any worse for it. I do use a dryer sheet, though. This does not oversuds in my front loader.

Is it cheaper? I am too lazy to do the math, it is tax time and I'm dealing with that, so I won't divy up the costs right now. But you can work it out - the borax costs around $3 for the box I have, the washing soda about $2.50, and the Fels-Naptha about $1.25 per bar (plus shipping, about 90 cents per bar). It makes a small batch, but you only use 2-3 tablespoons per load. I have BIG loads, I bought one of the biggest front loaders out there, and it works plenty well.

Anyone else had experience with this? I feel better not running out to buy the giant liquid detergent bottle every month to month and a half, so let's see how long this lasts.... if it lasts about as long, it is much cheaper, as I preferred a bigger name brand that cost $12 to $17 per big bottle, depending on the size ($17 would be the biggest one out there).



The Fels-Naptha does have a kind of cleaning agent smell - not offensive, but smells like a cleaner. I read a review on the soap, someone at that site was using it as a face cleaner - I can't say I'd do that! I much prefer my own homemade soap for that.

Anyone want to add their experiences on this topic?

Laundry soap

{ 11:38, Saturday, February 24, 2007 } { Posted by DakotaSoaplady }

Never tried doing the powdered stuff, but we do make the liquid laundry soap. I actually make a double batch here again. I just use the soap shavings from my bars after I jewel them and package them. I have a huge box of soap shavings so I just scoop some out and dump in the boiling water. It only takes about 10 minutes to melt it down and while it is melting I boil some more water for the 2 gallon bucket. My little girl and I made it today and while we were melting the soap we were washing another load of laundry, starting dinner and folding clothes. As soon as the soap was melted we added the soda and borax, mixed, dumped into pail with the hot water, mixed some more and then added the rest of the water. Beings it is so cold out we set the pail outside to cool it off and in about 8 hours it was all gelled up and ready to use. Isn't making laundry soap fun. LOL
Blessings,
Lydia

busy beaver

{ 05:09, Sunday, February 25, 2007 } { Posted by sharps }

Wow you have been a busy beaver lately, soaps, jewelry, band. Got anything else up your sleeve? I had to laugh at your speed post. You are so good with words......maybe writing a comedy book should be your next endeavor? Love ya!!! Connie

I like the powdered version also...

{ 05:30, Friday, June 15, 2007 } { Posted by Joanne }

I make my detergent in the powder form, too. I don't like to fuss with the slimy mess of the liquid :) I use Ivory soap instead of Phel's and add table salt and baking soda to the mix. Works great! If you have a food processor, it will save you time on the grating! Nice site, I'm adding you to my friends list :)
Joanne