You can find most of these ingredients at WalMart in the same general area, like on a bottom shelf. First get 2 quarts of water boiling, stir in grated bar soap until dissolved, then remove from heat and stir in dry ingredients. Divide between 2 buckets. To each bucket add have the bluing and Oxiclean plus the fabric softener (if you use it). Stir these until well mixed or use the stick blender. Add water to bring buckets to 3/4 full. Let sit overnight. Next morning, stir again. It will be a gel like substance, stir very well until thoroughly blended. Pour into soap into containers 3/4 full (use funnel). Shake very well when going to use it. I get detergent containers from recycling boxes, friends, family members. I like the big ones with the spigot on the end. You can shake it and set on shelf then measure half the cap. If you have others doing laundry, take a permanent marker and mark where half is at on the cap. Make sure they only use half. This is concentrated. I only wash in cold water and if I have stains to pre-treat, I have an extra bar of Fels Naptha that I get the garment wet and scrub with the bar. It washes out well in the machine. Try this! You have nothing but a half hour of time to lose and you will see how well this does and how far it goes. I was amazed when I first tried it. I added the bluing, Oxiclean, and fabric softener to the main recipe you can find anywhere. The bluing brightens whites. I don't like bleach. The Oxiclean is a little extra insurance that it will get really clean, and I use the fabric softener (like national brands do now), to not use softener sheets that clog the filter and cause problems on the life of the dryer. Happy laundry day!
By Suedobbins from Davenport, IA
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My only question is, doesn't the Oxiclean cancel the bluing? I always use bluing when washing whites; I put it in the wash water (since I never seem to catch the beginning of the rinse cycle), and the first time I put Oxyclean in after the bluing, the bluing disappeared.
I would be anxious to hear your answer to the previous poster re oxiclean cancelling the bluing. Thank you
It's me again. I forgot a couple of questions that I wanted to ask. What about HE washers? Can this soap work as well in an HE laundry machine? Does this void a warranty if something happens to the laundry machine?
Can you use vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser cup while using this homemade soap or better yet, not add the fabric softener to the homemade soap & use the vinegar instead? I know you have said that the fabric softener is optional so I guess that answers one of my questions. Thank you
I am worried about the Fels Naptha. It is a petrochemical. I think I would use Zote instead. I buy it at Big Lots or 99 cent store. It is plant based and is cheaper than Fels. If you live near a Hispanic area, it is really easy to find. I don't think bluing is safe either, so I would just use the Oxi. CAUTION: Borax turns to peroxide with hot water. You could fade your darks or brights with hot water.
I'm a little worried...I was just attempting this. Today I couldn't find Bluing so I ask a nice older lady she pointed me to "White brite" it was with the other ingredients for homemade soaps.
Right now I am using the Dugger recipe for laundry soap I came across your recipe and am interested in using it however I have a few questions if you don't mind.
1. You said to fill the buckets and containers 3/4 full. Do you fill the rest of the way with water after setting over night and same with the containers 3/4 of the way do you fill those with water till full?
2. On the fabric softener does it make the laundry soap smell like the softener or does the Fels Naptha over power it?
3. And last.. I read in the feedback that the Oxyclean cancelling out the blueing, is that so?
Someone mentioned that you can buy Zote if you are in a Hispanic area. I've been using Zote for years in a homemade detergent and I live in Washington - not a Hispanic area.
Okay, Im going to sort of add on to Sues laundry detergent recipe. Mine is basically the same but makes more. If you try Sues and like it - heres an extended recipe - Im lazy - If Im going to do it - do it once. I do have a few changes to Sues recipe. I dont use liquid oxyclean. Why add a liquid to powdered product. I dont use bluing - dont see the need and I dont need fabric softener. Ive also been doing this for years and have it down to a science - as easy as possible - told you I was lazy - and cheap. Cheap or not this stuff really works.
HOMEMADE LAUNDRY DETERGENT
Heres what you need (I get almost all of the ingredients in the laundry soap aisle at Walmart or you can get it at your local Kroger):
1 box Borax powder
1 box Washing Soda (NOT Baking Soda)
2 bars Zote
1 32 oz. container oxygen bleach (from the $ Store)
40 drops essential oil (One oil or combinations like lavender/lemon, lavender/orange, peppermint/orange, etc.) or not.
And one really big bucket - or one of those massive Tupperware bowls that they dont seem to make any more (do they?) Im dating myself - I bought my bowls back in the 60s. Still going strong. But I digress
Now you can use 3 bars of Fels Naphta, if youd like. I like Zote. Its chemical free, cheaper and smells way better. Its cheaper because its the same price as Fels but it comes in a bigger bar. You usually find these at the end of the laundry aisles.
When you get the bar soaps, unwrap them and set them to dry out - might even help to cut them in half to make them dry faster (if you can get a knife though it - try an axe). After letting them dry for a couple of weeks, try grating (with a cheese grater) to see if it comes out looking like grated cheese or powder. If it comes out like cheese, its not dried out enough. If you dont dry it out, you have to run it through a blender after you grate it - a pain in the butt.
As for the borax - Ive seen the comments. Fact remains that I (and a few million others) have been using it for years - no problems.
Once youve got the soap grated, mix all the ingredients - Just dig your hands in and pretend youre playing in the sandbox.
Now you can add the essential oils but its really not needed. This doesnt have a smell to it but if you want smell, get a bottle of Essential Oil - not flavored oil - also gotten at Walmart. You can get them in many different scents. I dont - Im good with just clean smell and it just adds to the cost.
It also doesnt have suds. Dont worry - it cleans very well.
As for fabric softener, try your first load without it and see. I havent used fabric softener since I started using this stuff.
You can add the Oxyclean or not. But unless you have some really badly stained stuff, you wont need it.
To use, I add 2 tbsp to each load of laundry. Or one of those little 2tbsp scoops.
Now to make this stuff - Sit in front of the tv, and start in. If you get some on the floor - youve got a vacuum cleaner - easier than trying to wipe it up from a table or something - and itll clean your rug while youre at it.
Okay, Ive done my duty. Whichever you use - do it. You thank the money gods that you did.
Thanks, Linda. This was the most helpful post yet. Very clear. Can't wait to try this.
I use the same recipe except for I use powdered bleach instead of the Oxiclean......it's $2 a box for generic clorox 2 at the Dollar Store :)
Is this detergent basically estergent free wonderin most ones in the are thanks
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