Homemade Laundry Soap - Effective and CHEAP!

I am thrilled!  I was perusing Mooberry Farm's blog the other day and found her recipe for homemade laundry soap (See link below to Julie's posting).  I've made laundry soap in the past but I wasn't happy with the recipe.  I didn't feel it was adequately getting our clothes clean. 

I decided to give Julie's recipe a try. 

I purchased the ingredients at my local grocery store -

(Please note, you will be able to make multiple batches of laundry soap with these ingredients)

• Borax - 76 ounce box for $3.38
• Arm & Hammer Washing Soda - $3.24
• Fels Naptha Bar Laundry Soap - $.98 a bar
• Essential Oil for Scent (Optional) - Lemongrass - $4.50 vial

This is how I made my laundry soap -

1. Chop 1/2 bar of Fels Naptha soap into small pieces

2. Heat chopped soap and 6 cups of water in a sauce pan over medium heat.  Stir until well soap is dissolved completely.


3. Add 1 cup of Arm & Hammer Washing Soda, 1 cup of Borax and 6 cups of water.  Stir well until dissolved.

4. Pour soap mixture into a large bucket or stockpot.  Add 20 cups of water to soap mixture.  Stir completely.  You will have approximately 2 gallons of soap.

5. Add 10 to 15 drops of essential oil of your choice, if desired. 
6. Let sit overnight.

7. Transfer to your storage containers.  (I used an old gallon sized laundry detergent bottle and an old plastic gallon sized ice cream tub). I like to use hot water to wash our laundry.  This soap seems to dissolve well in the wash water.  I don't know how it would work in cold water as it is thick. 

BIG Money Savings!

I calculated the cost of this homemade detergent and the cost is only $0.69 per gallon!  That is an amazing savings over store bought laundry detergent.   I was paying almost $7 per gallon of the cheaper laundry detergent from the supermarket! 

I use approximately 3/4 cup per wash, adjusting for the load size and depending on how dirty the laundry is. 

As you can see, it isn't difficult to make your own laundry soap.  And it is such a good feeling to know you are saving your family so much money! 

Thanks Julie for your recipe!  I really appreciate your frugal tips! 

To see Julie's soap recipe and to pick up more helpful tips from her, click on this link http://www.mooberry-farm.com/ . 


(Click HERE for updates/reviews on all my homemade cleaners)