Thrifty Week Day 1- Homemade Laundry Soap

Its Thrifty Week here on Mommy's Kitchen Creations! My husband has recently started his own landscaping/tree trimming business.  It has been a very exciting thing for our little family.  The one downfall to being self employed is that the steady paycheck isn't always there. I've really learned some awesome tricks to saving money.  Of course, there are always coupons, but have you ever tried price matching using coupons and shopping with 5 kids?  Yeah right, ain't happening!

So, this week I want to focus on some seriously awesome things that you can make from scratch to save money, and gain a better sense of accomplishment.  With just a few items, you can make your own laundry soaps, cleaning supplies and even bath and beauty products.
Today's recipe is for laundry soap.  It comes from the Duggar's. I really like them and their family values. I am a huge fan of their show and really admire all of the things they do to same money and become self sufficient.

Normal baking soda will not work in these recipes. You must use Washing Soda.
 

Homemade Laundry Soap

1   Fels-Naptha soap bar

1  Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda

½  Cup Borax

-Grate soap or break into pieces and process in a food processor until powdered. Mix all ingredients. For light load, use 1 Tablespoon. For heavy or heavily soiled load, use 2 Tablespoons. Yields: 3 Cups detergent. (Approx. 40 loads)

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap- Front or top load machine- best value

Here is their liquid soap recipe.  It's a far greater value than the powdered stuff.  I haven't made it yet myself, because I'm just too lazy, but I really should.  The nice thing about this one is that you can use it for top or front loader machines.  The other is just for top loader machines.

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)

This picture is not my own picture.  It was taken from Here.  These are the 3 ingredients that you will be looking for. Wal Mart has them.  The Borax does look a little different than this one now. So don't stress if it doesn't look like the one in the picture. It's all the same.