Elkins Family Frugal Finds: Homemade Laundry Detergent

So, I finally did it. I took the plunge and made our own liquid laundry soap yesterday! I had been hesitant for a while to invest the time and money, since I am the only one out of the five of us who does not deal with eczema, I did not know if it would break everyone out or not. 

My friend Misty made the powder version and gave me some to try first before I took the plunge (thanks Misty!). I loved it and decided to go with the liquid variety since our washer does not agitate super well. 

So, here's what you need:  

* five gallon bucket with lid
*empty laundry detergent container
* one bar Fels-Naptha soap
* one box of Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda
* one box Borax

And, here's the recipe, courtesy of the duggarfamily.com website. I first heard about making your own laundry detergent through their first book, so thought I would stick to their tried and true method:

4  Cups - hot tap water
1  Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup - Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda
½ Cup Borax

 

- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.

-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.

-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)

-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.

-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.
-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)
-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)

 I let it sit overnight per the instructions, and yes, it was VERY gelled this morning, as you can see from the above picture. I told Brandon it was kind of like ballistics gel. That piqued his interest..

The whole project, including the bucket with lid (Yeah, they sell the lids separate?? What up?) was only around $9. We spend close to $30 a month alone on store bought laundry detergent. Really hope this works!!

So, I've got my first load washed and in the dryer now. Who wants to come and help me do laundry today? 

(Missed today's daily photo? Click here.)