Making my own homemade laundry soap is something I’ve been wanting to start doing for a long time, and I FINALLY got around to doing it!  It’s very easy and not as time consuming as you might think!  The cost can’t be beat!  This is another fantastic way to help my family live a more self reliant/self sufficient lifestyle.

Here’s what you’ll need: (** Note: all ingredients can be found in the laundry aisle of any retail store such as Meijer)

~1 bar Fels Naptha soap

~1 cup Borax

~1 cup Washing Soda (not to be confused with baking soda)

~ Essential oil of choice (optional)

~5 gallon bucket with lid

~Water

Step 1:  Grate bar of Fels Naptha soap, I use a hand held cheese grater.

Step 2:  Fill 5 gallon bucket half full with HOT water.

Step 3:  Add grated soap to saucepan and add 4 cups of HOT water.  Simmer over low heat stirring constantly until soap flakes are dissolved.

Step 4:  Once Dissolved, add to 5 gallon bucket along with 1 cup Borax and 1 cup Washing Soda.  Fill bucket the rest of the way with more HOT water and stir until Borax and Washing Soda are dissolved.

Step 5:  Let set overnight (about 24 hours) it will gel up. *** if you choose to add an essential oil of choice, wait until mixture has cooled but not set, then add 10-15 drops per 2 gallons***

Step 6:  After it has set, stir well (you will notice clumpiness, this is normal) and divide into clean, empty laundry bottles.  Upon using, shake bottle well and use 1/2 cup per load.  **NOTE this is very low sudsing soap, soap suds are not what cleans your laundry, so don’t be alarmed if you do not see any suds, I promise your laundry is getting cleaned.

Let me know what you think, I personally will NEVER buy commercial laundry soap again!