laundry soap recipe...

Ok so this isn't a RAW recipe however it will save you some money and I thought well, anything thats money saving means I will have more money to use in order to buy organic more often and make it easier to afford to stay RAW. Sooooo if you don't mind taking the time to do this it will save you TONS of money in the long run...This soap costs only about a penny per load!!!

I find the liquid recipe works best for cold water washing (I only use cold water for laundry) and for extra cleaning boost use oxyclean type product or what I do is just add 1/2 cup extra washing soda to the load of really grimey clothes.I personally just use ivory or homemade soap bars not Fels Naptha as stores in my area don't carry it...you can however find it online if you want to use it.Dr Bonners bars cost a bit more but they smell nice haha..

Here is the recipe :
RECIPE #1

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap- Front or top load machine- best value

6 Cups - tap water
1  soap bar (you can use ANY REAL soap like Ivory Soap etc or Dr Bronners (Dr Bronners has a nice scent)
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
             (AKA washing soda by any brand but NOT BAKING soda)
1 Cup Borax (20 Mule Team Borax)

- Grate bar of soap and on stove heat about 6 cups of water and add grated soap. Once melted add in 1 cup washing soda and 1 cup borax and stir until totally dissolved and pour into a bucket with about 4 to 4 1/2 gallons of water(basically you will fill a 5 gallon bucket if you don't have one you can get new ones from Lowe's or Tractor Supply or Home Depot if you want or ask around maybe get one for free from a restaurant or something))..stir again and cover and allow to sit over night..in morning it will be a gelatinous glumpy goo ..thats the way its supposed to be -  just stir real well again and use a ladle and funnel to fill old laundry jugs -- be sure to shake well before using !!

 I find that its kind of a goopy gel more liquid than 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.(if you use Dr Bonner soap those already smell nice!)

-Yield: about 5 gallons.

-Top Load Machine- 1/2 Cup per load

-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load

*Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" - in some stores or may be purchased online here ( www.Amazon.com ). Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!


Washing Soda and Borax can usually be found in laundry isle or can both be found online


You can also add some liquid bluing to whiten white clothes (this will turn laundry soap yellow actually but brightens your whites well!!) or you can add oxyclean type product for tough messy clothes to boost the soap... just add the oxyclean at time of laundry load not into the gel bucket..


 Homemade laundry soap can be used to pre treat stains also.


***Also Use a Downey ball with vinegar to not only soften clothes but also it helps to rinse soap from clothes and to keep washer from getting a soap build up.You may notice a vinegar smell when you get clothes from washer HOWEVER after drying they DO NOT smell !!!!


RECIPE # 2

Powdered Laundry Detergent - Top load machine

1   Fels-Naptha soap bar (ANY real soap works-Dr Bronner's or ivory,etc)
1  Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
1  Cup Borax

-Grate soap or break into pieces and process in a food processor until powdered. Mix all ingredients. For light load, use 1 Tablespoon. For heavy or heavily soiled load, use 2 Tablespoons. Yields: 3 Cups detergent. (Approx. 40 loads)

*Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" -Can be purchased in most stores or may be purchased online here (at www.Amazon.com). Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!! (WASHING SODA)

You may need to play around with the recipes...homemade soap bars work well just remember yo use REAL soap..

***Also Use a Downey ball with vinegar to not only soften clothes but also it helps to rinse soap from clothes and to keep washer from getting a soap build up.You may notice a vinegar smell when you get clothes from washer HOWEVER after drying they DO NOT smell !!!!

for some FAQ this site has a bunch so I didn't feel the need to redo a list..
http://tipnut.com/homemade-laundry-detergent/

There are many various recipes on the web you can do a search for..have fun !! and happy cleaning !!

Til next time .....