Homemade Laundry Soap
There are lots and lots of recipes out there. This is the only I liked the best originally, but I’ve also changed it up a bit and added my own comments and suggestions based on the batches I’ve made. I’ve bottled this and given it out as Christmas gifts.
DIY Laundry Soap
Materials
- 1 4 lb 12 oz Box of Borax- Found in the detergent aisle
- 1 3 lb 7 oz Box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda- Found in the detergent aisle
- 1 3 lb Container of OxyClean- Found in the detergent aisle. (This is optional but I highly recommend adding it)
- 2 14.1 oz Bars of Zote Soap- Found in the detergent aisle, either the block of soap or the box of flakes (You can also use Fels Naptha)
- 1 4 lb Box of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda- Found in the cooking aisle (I ended up buying 4 of the 1 lb boxes)
- 1-2 55 oz Bottle of Purex Crystals Fabric Softener – (This is optional, and found in the detergent aisle) (I only used one bottle, not two)
Instructions
- If you buy the blocks of Zote soap, but them into 1 inch pieces and put them on a plate in the microwave for a minute. They expand and they get hot. Wait until they've cooled and you can break them up with your hands into tiny pieces.
- In a very large tub, layer the ingredients and stir very well.
- Use one to two tablespoons of soap per wash.
Notes
I found all the ingredients at a Neighborhood Market Walmart the first time I made this. The second time I found everything at Fred Meyer. And yes, folks, I’ve only made two batches for myself in the last three years! I made one other that I separated into smaller jars and gave away as gifts. I still have about six months of use left on the second batch I made.
The hardest most time consuming part is grating the Zote soap. I used my food processor to grate it up, but I gave up quickly and looked online. Someone suggested cutting it into small pieces, maybe 1 inch pieces and then put it in the microwave for about one minute. That sounded like a better plan, so I did that with the rest of the Zote soap on my first batch. Put the pieces on a big plate because they will expand a lot! Give the microwaved Zote soap pieces time to dry once you take them out and then start mashing it with your hands and it crumbles into tiny pieces. Use a large mixing bowl.
This makes more of a powder and less of a Zote soap cheese grated look. I found it dissolved better too in the washing machine. On my second batch I used the Zote soap flakes. They are white, so there isn’t as much of a color pop on the laundry soap, but the flakes were so simple to use. One 17.6 ounce box of Zote soap flakes equals two bars in the recipe above.
The hardest part is now over and all that’s left is to mix everything together.
I used a very large plastic tub. I took a layering approach to mix it easier. I took a small amount of each ingredient and layered it on top of each other, then I grabbed a large mixing spoon and mixed it together. I did this probably 5 times but it was so much easier than dumping all the ingredients in at once and then trying to mix it well. I also got a lid for the bucket, so I can store the soap in that and tuck it in the closet. As a side bonus, when your batch makes your closet and clothes smell amazing.
This batch makes A LOT! My first batch lasted about 13 months. I only have two people living in my home, so if you have a large family, this won’t last as long, but it is so inexpensive compared to brand name liquids and it last much longer on average. Also, if you’re organically inclined, you can buy some of the ingredients above at a store like Whole Foods or Sprouts and while it will cost more, probably, you can take more control of the chemicals that touch your skin.
Now for probably the best part…you only need 1-2 Tablespoons per load depending on the size, That’s right….only 1-2 Tablespoons!
If you opted to put the Purex Crystals in your batch, you can scoop the detergent right into your Purex bottle and use the cap as your measuring spoon. There are 3 lines on the side and the middle one is approximately 2 Tablespoons. I’ve also used the OxyClean container to store a smaller batch of the soap for use in my laundry room, rather than have the big bucket there. I like keeping it in the closet and the fresh scent that comes out whenever I open the door.