I’ve lost track of how many books I’ve read on organizing, simplifying, and finding inexpensive alternatives to the way we Americans live life. Making our home in Colorado and planting a ministry in Boulder has made me take a serious look at my wasteful habits. This part of the country is known for recycling, being green, all-natural or organic products and living a healthier, simpler life. Before moving here I joked about never again having to shave my legs and us selling the car to buy a bicycle built for 5. Though neither of those things have happened, I’ve found several ways to make life easier and less expensive.
Last Fall, Benny suggested we try making our own laundry soap to save money. I was skeptical partly because of Pete’s sensitive skin, but mostly because I thought it sounded like more trouble than it was worth. He made the first batch and now I’m a believer and sharing this recipe with everyone from my friends to the check out girl at the grocery store. This stuff really works and it gets our clothes clean and fresh. The best part? It costs less than $3.00 per batch to make, and a batch yields 10 gallons. That’s not a typo. There are several recipes available online, but this is the one I like the best. All of the items needed can be purchased from your local grocery store or WalMart. I found the soap and washing soda at the grocery store. To buy the ingredients for the first time, you’ll spend about $15.00, but you’ll have plenty left over for future batches or to share with friends. You might even consider going in with friends to purchase some of the supplies needed.
Homemade Laundry Soap
You’ll need: A 5 gallon bucket, 1 bar of Fels-Naptha Soap, 1 cup of Borax, 1 cup of Arm & Hammer Washing Soda (NOT the same as baking soda), and hot tap water
1. Grate the bar of soap and add to 4 cups of hot water in a saucepan. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
2. 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 the bucket to the top with more hot water. Stir, cover, and let it sit overnight to thicken.
3. Stir and fill a used, clean, hand held laundry soap bottle/dispenser half full with soap and then fill the rest of the way up with water. Shake before each use. (It will gel but not be completely smooth.)
*Optional: If you want a scented soap you can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add it once the soap has cooled. Ideas: Lavender, Rosemary, tea tree oil, etc. We keep ours plain. Also, I still add bleach for our whites, and Oxi-clean for the kid’s grimy jeans.
Yields 10 gallons of liquid soap. For use:
Top-loading machines: 5/8 cup per load (approximately 180 loads)
Front loading machines: 1/4 cup per load (approximately 640 loads)
The New Dryer Sheets
1. Choose your favorite fabric softener and a few regular sponges.
2. Mix 1 part fabric softener with 2 parts water in a container. (I use a ziploc jar with a screw on lid.)
3. Cut the sponges in half and put them in the container with the softener mixture.
When you need a dryer sheet, pull out a sponge and squeeze the liquid out until it doesn’t drip. Toss it in the dryer. After use, put it back in the container to use again.
I don’t know how long this mixture lasts, but these two recipes alone will save me over $200 per year. I think it’s worth it.
Girl! We’re using our last bit of “store” soap tonight. So, funny that we’re on the same wavelength here! I’ve already started my shopping for the ingredients, and last month hi-jacked a 5 gallon bucket from the pastry shoppe. (Okay, I asked for it politely.)
Derek says we still have plenty of dryer sheets… so I’ll wait on the fabric softener.
But I did make liquid handsoap the other day… with essential oils from the “granola store”. Mmmmm… Lavender and Lemon! You oughta try it!
Love ya!
-Jennifer-
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Sounds like a great idea. I may have to try this. Where do you buy the ingredients?
I have a post on making your own cleaners. It’s a great money saver and I love the GP cleaner. http://janparrish.blogspot.com/2008/08/make-your-own-cleansers.html
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I love this! My sister is just getting into this and was going to make me some, but seeing how easy (and cheap!) it is, I’m going to try it myself! Thanks for the recipe. 🙂
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Have you read the Tightwad Gazette books? They are full of thrifty ideas! I may have to give this one a try.
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I’ve read ALL of the Tightwad Gazette books. 🙂
I bought the Fels-Naptha bar and Washing Soda at King Soopers (Kroger) and the Borax and 5 gallon bucket at WalMart.
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Ooh! I love the idea for the fabric softener. James doesn’t like his clothes to smell, but I do. I love the lavendar vanilla downy. Maybe I’ll try that just for my clothes.
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I haven’t tried the laundry soap yet, but I will. I have been doing the fabric softener sponges for a few months. I really like it. I’ll have to check out Jan’s website. Thanks for the info.
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I am totally going to try the laundry detergent one – thanks!
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Your post makes me want to try this, Niki. I can’t believe it!
I will let you know how it goes. Having two teenagers in the house, we go through laundry detergent like water.
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Update: I still don’t know how long the laundry soap lasts because I keep giving parts of my batch away to friends who want to try it without committing to 10 gallons. 🙂 I can tell you that my last batch was made in May and I’m making more today. 3 months or so. That brings the cost to about $8-$10 dollars a year!
The dryer sheet mixture lasts several months. When it gets too thick, I pull out the sponges and give them a good rinse, and make a new mixture. It’s supposed to be thin enough to squeeze out easily.
Good luck! 🙂
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