Blogger Decatur, TX on Sep 30, 2012

Homemade Laundry Soap - $28 per year

I made my own laundry soap and I'm using it! It's wonderful! See our blog for more details on how to make your own too! :)

Time: 30 Minutes Cost: $28.00 Difficulty: Easy

To see more: http://ourcloverhouse.blogspot.com/2012/09/diy-laundry-detergent.html

61 Comments Displaying 25 of 61 comments | See Previous

Sharron W Memphis, TN

Shari < I know people are always talking about the problems they have with their FL washer developing a sour smell...but I've had mine for five years and I've Never had a problem, AT ALL with any form of mold mildew or sour smell coming from the washer...I leave the door and detergent tray open when not in use and that is about it...frankly I'm beginning to wonder if it's more about the seal not being cleaned regularly and/or ...»
a problem with the washer drain not fully draining the water....if I wash the dogs bedding, I clean out the seal, if I wash my chenille blanket...I clean out the seal, basically if I wash anything that I know sheds a lot, or has a high lint issue, I clean the seal. I use liquid detergent and fabric softners and when I wash my towels, I add vinegar instead of the fabric softner. About once a year I take the desenser drawer all the way out and run it through the dishwasher....That's it....
But because I made this detergent for years as a child and young adult, and because my profession was in the enviornmental field, I can tell you that we made it to eliminate the phosphates and prevent problems with the septic system...eventually the Govenment passed laws that forced the removal of phosphates from all detergents and it ceased to be the reason we needed to make this, but by then I was working full time and raising my own brood...so I quit making it...although to this day I keep both Fels Naptha and borax on hand for stubborn stains...in fact got spaghetti sauce out of grandbabies favorite light blue shirt with the Fels Naptha tonight...LOL

on Oct 01, 2012 · Like 1
Marie G Lake Zurich, IL

We are on well and septic, but I prefer my homemade soap recipe http://fromsuburbia.blogspot.com/2009/03/mak... a bit better because it is a gel not a powder and I find it dissolves better in colder water

on Oct 01, 2012 · Like 0
Shari Tampa, FL

Sharron W, Seems most people have a love/hate relationship with the FL washers--love them if they don't smell/hate them if they do! LOL. I've only had mine 2 years, and so far no smell, so I fall into the LOVE it category. LOL. I frequently check the seal too, as well as remove wet clothes immediately. I leave the door and detergent tray wide open when not in use. I NEVER use liquid soap or softener and I wash 2 to 3 loads ...»
with bleach per week. My laundry room is very large and gets pretty good air circulation so I'm sure that helps too. The FL washers definitely need more preventative maintenance than the old top load machines and at first, I was somewhat irritated about that. However, I realized doing a few things to maintain the washer really isn't any different than the routine maintenance we do on our homes, cars etc., to keep them in tip-top condition. I really believe using a homemade laundry soap recipe like this one can help anyone who is having problems with the stinky washer smell. It only took me about 10 minutes to grate the Fels Naptha and mix everything together. It made a lot so I filled the empty Oxyclean tub up with some of it and sent that home with my daughter, and I still have plenty left.

on Oct 01, 2012 · Like 3
Shari Tampa, FL

Marie G, your homemade laundry soap is so interesting! I've never seen the homemade gel before. Do you have a front loading washer? Btw, the Walmarts in my area do carry the Zote. For some reason it's stocked on the shelf close to where the powdered laundry detergents are, and not with the Fels Naptha. (Oh, but now that I think about it, perhaps the Walmarts have it here because I live in an area that is primarily ...»
agricultural (the "Winter Strawberry Capital of the World") with many Mexican farm workers, and it's a Mexican product.)

on Oct 01, 2012 · Like 2
Marg C Middletown, NY

I'm also very interested in the ingredients your mom used Sharron. Do you remember them?

on Oct 01, 2012 · Like 0
Marg C Middletown, NY

just to add...they've removed phosphates from lawn fertilizer as well. this is a government mandate now. Phosphates are a no-no.

on Oct 01, 2012 · Like 1
Leida R Tampa, FL

Marie G for some reason I was not able to bring up those instructions. A website did come up, but no soap instructions.

on Oct 01, 2012 · Like 1
Marg C Middletown, NY

http://fromsuburbia.blogspot.com/2009/03/mak...
here Leida.

on Oct 01, 2012 · Like 0
Leida R Tampa, FL

Marg C THANKS. GOT IT!!!

on Oct 01, 2012 · Like 0
Sharron W Memphis, TN

Marg C , We just grated Fels Naptha and mixed it with Borax, that was it...two ingredients , two bars of Fels Naptha to one box of Borax... It's the reason I still keep them both on hand...I used to have a hard time finding the Fels Naptha, but now it's more common again....

on Oct 01, 2012 · Like 2
Marg C Middletown, NY

thank you Sharron :)

on Oct 01, 2012 · Like 2
Melanie Lozeau

PLEASE SEND ME INGREDIENTS ID LOVE TO SAVE MONEY I DO WASH 3 TIMES A WEEK ITS SO EXPENSIVE I USE COIN OPERATED WASHERS...

on Oct 01, 2012 · Like 2
Beth T

I made it a while ago from Pinterest... I put two bottles of the Purex crystals in it. I have had it for over a month and I still have a bunch left. It smells pleasant but not overwhelming. There are four in my family. I will make it again! :)

on Oct 01, 2012 · Like 0
Marg C Middletown, NY

Melanie Lozeau apparently there are a number of homemade laundry detergents. You can make it like Sharron did or you can go to this link which I posted 6 posts up.
http://fromsuburbia.blogspot.com/2009/03/mak...

on Oct 01, 2012 · Like 1
Donna Miller

I have been using this since july love it. I made the liquid form. using the bar of soap, got it a big lots for 1$ then washing soda,borax,did not use baking soda and no oxi clean because I have a whole house water softener. it works better than the store bought I had. I won't go back. this really get our clothes clean

on Oct 09, 2012 · Like 3
Marg C Middletown, NY

I'll be making mine today. I'm so excited! I'm using your recipe DeeDee :)

on Oct 11, 2012 · Like 2
Clover House, DeeDee Decatur, TX

Marg C: YAY! I'll bet your arms got a workout while grating the soap...mine sure did! LOL! :)

on Oct 12, 2012 · Like 1
Sharron W Memphis, TN

Fels naptha is hard....mine grates into a fine dust almost...

on Oct 12, 2012 · Like 2
Jan Hensley Salem, MO

I grated my Fels naptha in my food processor. It worked really well.

on Jan 22, 2013 · Like 1
Clover House, DeeDee Decatur, TX

Oh cool Jan Hensley, I don't have a food processor so I just use the small size of my hand grater. It give you a good arm workout for sure! LOL! :)

on Jan 22, 2013 · Like 1
Rose Adams Cranberry, PA

When I mad mine, I used a cheese grater after I put the Fels Napha in the microwave for about 1 minute, let cool, then another minute. real easy to grate. It just falls apart.

on Jan 22, 2013 · Like 1
Sharron W Memphis, TN

Rose Adams Now THAT's a useful Tip! LOL

on Jan 23, 2013 · Like 1
Clover House, DeeDee Decatur, TX

Rose! That is very good to know. I'm going to try that next time! THANK YOU!

on Jan 23, 2013 · Like 1
Sylvia Smothers Lawing Kannapolis, NC

I have been making it since last November. I love it. I have given samples to dozens of my friends. They love it. Clothes smell so nice and are so soft. I use Ivory soap bars to make mine. I will never go back to buying laundry detergent.

on May 13, 2013 · Like 1
Clover House, DeeDee Decatur, TX

Me either Sylvia Smothers Lawing! It's the best!

on May 13, 2013 · Like 0

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