Pull those strings in real tight ‘cuz I am about to take you on an adventure that might just blow your hat off.
Are you ready?
Laundry Soap.
Yes, I made my own, silly me, and I’m going to share the entire process with you, right here, right now.
Well, right after this blurb…
While I am grateful to have a laundry room, mine is not a favorite place in my home and the cause for this is probably not what you’re thinking. I don’t mind doing laundry. At times, I even find it relaxing, but my actual laundry room is kind of demotivating. It’s very small—and even that’s okay—but it is not ergonomically configured. I have to contort to get everything into my front-loader and I sport a permanent bruise on my left hip where it inevitably hits the counter top which never fails to jut intrusively into my narrow path.
The room is awkward…and it’s blue…like, early 80’s blue…including the angry countertops, so yeah, not my favorite spot to hang out. And I guess I believed that somehow making my own fresh-smelling, pretty-looking powder would transform the room into some place I might like to have a cup of tea while perusing Vogue or maybe sway to a little Van Morrison in my red satin heels.
That transformation didn’t take place of course, but the good news is, the detergent was a success! It smells divine and having that gleaming jar perched atop my obnoxious counter, peering down its nose at the evil city below is slightly inspiring.
If you like to listen to music while you cook or work on projects around the house, it may be important to note that for reasons unbeknownst to me, I chose to listen to a Songza generated playlist entitled “Mom-Jean Jams.” Okay, maybe the reasons aren’t a complete mystery. I was making my own laundry soap after all. Thankfully though, I found it less than inspiring, so may I suggest something a little less baggy and high-waisted while you toil over your own magic suds?
Anyway, without further suspense, may I present…Laundry with Love
Ingredients
(I found most things at Fred Meyer, including the storage container. I bought the chalkboard labels & scoops at Hobby Lobby and Deals)
~ Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (3lb box)
~ Arm & Hammer Baking Soda (4lb box)
~ 20 Mule Team Borax (4lb box)
~ Oxi Clean (1.3 lb container X2)
~ Fels Naptha (X4 bars)
~ Downy UNSTOPABLES (X2 containers – I used the scent “Lush” which comes in the purple & black bottle and smells heavenly)
~ A food processor, blender or cheese grater
~ A large receptacle for mixing (I used a large Rubbermaid, but you may also use a simple plastic garbage bag)
~ A container to store the finished product
~ A measuring scoop
(This recipe makes approximately 2 gallons of washing powder. As you can see, it filled my one very large storage jar, plus 5 smaller ones)
Directions
~ Pour the boxes of Washing Soda, Baking Soda, Borax, Oxi Clean and Downy UNSTOPABLES into your receptacle
~ Cut the Fels Naptha bars into small cubes and process, blend or grate
~ Add the Fels into the powder mixture (I of course, did this the other way around because I don’t read directions. It really didn’t matter other than that the Fels is slightly sticky and would probably have been easier to blend had I added it last rather than first)
~ Put the lid on your receptacle or tie up your bag and shake like there’s no tomorrow. If using a bin you can also you use a large mixing spoon.
~ Repeat until all ingredients are evenly distributed
~ Use 2 tbsps for small loads and 3 for larger loads.
As you can see from the pictures, I got my craft on and prettied up the jars. This is optional, but if you choose not to go this route, well, what the heck is wrong with you?!
Okay, you are now ready to love your laundry!
**This recipe was recently found on APRONS-N-PEARLS**
Is it much cheaper doing your own laundry soap? It seems like there is also of ingredients needed that maybe it would be much easier to just buy it.
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Hi tweetprayloveme and thanks for stopping by!
In our household it is. It cost me appox $30 (not including the glass jar) and it will last us (a family of 5) about 5-6 months. I blog about it again in a bit more detail here if you’d like to check it out.
Thank you so much for commenting!
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wow that’s great! I will have to try this myself. We’re a family of 2 😉 so I am sure it would last us longer.
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It definitely will!
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Had a sniff first hand … very fresh and soft laundry … great blend Hazy.
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Well, I didn’t create the recipe, but I can vouch for the smell. Very fresh!
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As I said in a previous post, you’ll get over this by 60! Miss you, Hazy!
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I am 99.9% sure you’re right, PC. But for now, it’s something for me to blog about, right? I miss you too…trying to get back on track…slowly but surely.
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Very crafty there Hazy! My gal would love this.
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:))
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I love your creativity and determination! There is a load of money to be saved here and I bet it smells great 😀
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It does, Dianne! And yes, it’s definitely a money-saver. xOx
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