In an effort to save money we began making our own laundry detergent over three years ago. People have joked with us recently asking if we still making our own laundry soap {assuming we’d have given up by now} but honestly it’s so extremely cheap and you only have to make it about twice a year. I don’t plan on going back to the commercial brands at all!
Fels-Naptha is the bar soap you’ll use in the detergent recipe. We keep a spare bar on the wash sink because it has proven to take out the most difficult stains. One of my daughters spilled red juice all over a pure white dress. Assuming the dress was a goner I still tried to get the stain out. I wet the stain with water and then rubbed the bar on top. We were shocked to see the red completely removed from the dress. We’ve also used it on carpet and upholstered furniture. If you don’t make your own detergent at least keep a couple of these bars on hand.
The laundry detergent recipe below was taken from the Duggar’s website.
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Liquid Laundry Detergent
4 Cups – hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup – Arm & 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)
*Arm & Hammer “Super Washing Soda” – in some stores or may be purchased online here (at Meijer.com). Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent – It must be sodium carbonate!!
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I’ve never added the essential oil because I always forget. That and I’m usually in a hurry to use the new soap. But I imagine it would make the laundry chore more enjoyable.
It can be difficult to find a place to store your 5 gallon paint bucket of soap. We keep ours in our bathtub.
I would hesitate to keep it in a garage due to the temperature changes. Maybe under a sink if you have the space? If using a paint bucket the lid should be strong enough to keep little ones out of. Still, be careful if you have curious and strong children.
I hope this helps you save money and time as you serve your family in the laundry and finance department!
Blessings!
