Quick Liquid Laundry Soap

Out of laundry soap again....AGAIN!?  My small batches really should last longer than they do, or I should do less laundry for my family of six.  I prefer making smaller batches of laundry soap, to spend my time doing other things, don't you?  I mean, I don't mind making a batch of the laundry soap, I just wish it would last longer.

While on the computer today, I found this easy (really--too easy!) and quick laundry soap recipe.  And.... it works just fine!  The recipe is adapted from One Good Thing by Jillie.  I am really amazed at how effective the combination of the ingredients work together.  Since I started making my own laundry soap, before getting out of debt back in 2006, I have never seen a recipe with these ingredients mixed together.  Of course, there's the Borax and Washing Soda.  But, in place of the Ivory soap, there's Dawn Liquid Dish Soap!  (That's it?!)  And, water, of course!

Ingredients:
3/4 cup Borax
3/4 cup Washing Soda
1 gallon size pitcher of hot water
1/2 cup Dawn Liquid Dish Soap (blue)

Use a container you've got, that is convenient to you.  I used a gallon-sized pitcher that I wasn't using in my cabinet.  Measure the Borax and Washing Soda into the pitcher.  Slowly, add hot water to dissolve the powder.   When the water nears the top, without overflowing, add the Dawn and stir.  (This procedure will prevent bubbles.)

Immediately, I used it in a large load.  I measured 1/2 cup.

As the soap cooled, it did slightly thicken, but nothing in comparison to the "grated" soap kind that gelled.  However, it got all my dirty loads caught up...bummer!  (I was enjoying this new recipe!)  I cannot tell a difference in the performance of waiting for the hot batch to cool versus using it immediately.   If the liquid has settled since last used, just give it a gentle stir, before measuring to do a load.

Homemade Oxyclean

Hearing how valuable, yet expensive, Oxyclean is to keep your whites white and get rid of stains, I opted for cheaper alternatives.  After doing some research, learning that the generic stuff has "fillers," I could make it myself!  What!!!???

It's easy.  The recipe is from Grocery Cart Challenge.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide

I use this for all my whites on the hottest water temperature setting.  I let soak for a few hours when used with my laundry soap.

Without the additional non-bleach whitener, your whites may become dingy.  Washing soda is from the same family as baking soda, just a stronger formula as it is heated to a higher temperature during the "making."

Powdered Laundry Soap

For the sake of convenience, I love this recipe.  Double the batch as necessary.  One batch is equivalent to about 17 loads, using 2 tbs/load.  It is not as cost effective as the liquid, in my opinion, however.

Ingredients:
1 cup Borax
1 cup washing soda
1 bar Ivory soap (hypoallergenic bar soap) or Fels Naptha shredded finely

Directions:
In a container, add the Borax, washing soda, and the Ivory soap or Fels Naptha.  (The bar of soap must manually be shredded by hand with a pairing knife, cheese grater, or by food processor.)

Mix together thoroughly.

Use 1-2 tbs/load.  Works fine in cold water.  However, if there is still soap bits in the washer, once the wash is finished, select a warmer water setting, or shred the soap finer.  For my own personal loads in my home, I use 2 tbs/load.

Liquid Laundry Soap

I've been making my own laundry soap for some time now, like way before we were getting out of debt.  But, even though we are debt free from doing the Dave Ramsey plan, I'm still making my own.

There are so many different recipes out there, powder vs liquid.  But, my favorite is the liquid, as I don't have to make it as often for powder & costs less.

Recipe:
1 cup Washing Soda
2 cups Borax (whitener & water softener)
1 bar Ivory soap shredded
1 cup Dawn liquid soap (optional)

I stir the grated Ivory soap in a large saucepan with about 1/4 full of water, until it melts.  Carefully, add the Borax & Washing Soda, stirring until dissolved over low heat; careful to not let it bubble-over (just from experience).  You can add the Dawn liquid soap at this time, as well.  Remove from heat.  I take 3 1-gallon size pitchers, filling them about 3/4 full in each with water.  Then, I portion the soap mixture amongst the three pitchers.

You do not have to wait until the soap gels up; it can be used immediately.  I use 1/2 cup/load for my xlarge tub basin in my washing machine.  For my whites, I use 1 cup with warm/hot water.  If you'd like, just stir it first, if there is any settling, for every load.

*I have always made this with Ivory soap for reasons that's what the recipe called for or was free after coupon.  I just made some tonight using an "Irish Spring" scent that was labeled mild.  I think my clothes come out smelling better than before using the Ivory.  The smell is not overpowering.