I think my sister and I are channeling Laura Ingalls these days.
We totally made our own clothes soap.
It was really cheap. Under $7 and this will last forever!
You can totally do this too, it’s super easy.
To make about 4 mason jars full you will need:
6 cups Borax
4 cups baking soda
4 cups washing soda
4 cups Fels-Naptha bar soap (almost 2 bars)
~
UPDATE: This is totally your decision, but some new studies are showing that Borax powder fumes may cause reproductive harm in men. You may try adding more baking and washing soda instead of the Borax and see how you like the results. Another commenter made her’s into a liquid, which would cut out the fumes of the Borax:
“I have made as a liquid. I grate one bar of soap, melt in a pot of water (even let it boil for just a second, but not bubble over!) Add 1c borax, 1c washing soda, mix, make sure it’s all incorporated, and put in three different gallon containers. Add water to top and shake hard. Use around 1c per load”-Melissa
Grate the bar soap, I have read that you can use Dove or some other soap if you can’t find this particular one.
But I will say…
I live in the city.
The C.I.T.Y.
No chickens. No cows.
And my Publix sold all this stuff.
Now put it all in a bowl and mix it really well.
Also, you should know, this is very powdery and was starting to go everywhere.
Up our nose, in our mouth.
Just sayin. Try to mix carefully.
Now put it in jars or an air-tight container.
Done.
You will need 2 tablespoons per load.
OK, here’s the deal on the HE washing machines.
HE washing machines need special soap that is low-sudsing.
And this is, so you really should be fine.
It’s totally safe in mine and my sisters.
Also the Duggars have a recipe that’s similar and they use it in HE. So there ya go.
You can make a sweet tag if you want to give as a gift.
I used cotton butcher twine to attach a clothes pin.
Then added a homemade tag that you can download here.
(Thanks Graphics Fairy for the label border)
I thought later that I should have included instructions on how much to use.
I think it would be cute to write it on the clothes pin.
Or you could attach another tag.
Happy Little House on the Prairie!
And happy saving a lot of money.
:)
I am linking to Saturday Night Special!
PS…want about 50 tips and tricks for this recipe?
The comments are worth a read:)
oh and also…
I really really want to respond to every single amazing comment. But truth is…it’s getting really hard!
So know that I love you and I love that you are here and visited my blog and took time out of your day to comment:)
Christine
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