Well, back in February, I made homemade laundry soap (click the link to see blog post on old blog.), and it was alright. Not the greatest, but just ho hum. I really want a good detergent to use that saves us money! Why? Because spending almost $10 USD for a gallon is insane!
There were several things wrong with the recipe I used last time. There weren't exact water measurements, which was really bad because to melt the Zote bar they only had you use 2 cups of water. Note: This doesn't work well, it's a gooey nasty mess. Trust me, not OK. However, the Zote bar having been shredded several months before we actually made the soap, I'm sure had NO effect on it (can you hear the sarcasm?). Overall, regardless of Zote being shredded a YEAR prior, I just wasn't impressed beyond belief with it.
So we used on in a magazine we bought, and made it. This called for the same simple ingredients. We used Fels Naptha instead of Zote, and 2 cups each of borax and washing soda. A gallon of water to melt the soap, and a gallon more after all ingredients are added. Set over night. Or, in our case set over night for three days! HA
There were several things wrong with the recipe I used last time. There weren't exact water measurements, which was really bad because to melt the Zote bar they only had you use 2 cups of water. Note: This doesn't work well, it's a gooey nasty mess. Trust me, not OK. However, the Zote bar having been shredded several months before we actually made the soap, I'm sure had NO effect on it (can you hear the sarcasm?). Overall, regardless of Zote being shredded a YEAR prior, I just wasn't impressed beyond belief with it.
So we used on in a magazine we bought, and made it. This called for the same simple ingredients. We used Fels Naptha instead of Zote, and 2 cups each of borax and washing soda. A gallon of water to melt the soap, and a gallon more after all ingredients are added. Set over night. Or, in our case set over night for three days! HA
The picture is after I've mixed it up, and added water to it to finish filling the jars. There are only 11 jars in the picture because we already have jar 12 in use. So far it's wonderful. You need to shake it before you use it each time, but that's not a big deal. It makes about a half gallon per jar. Once you pour it into your commercial container you simply add two more quarts of water and shake, shake, shake!
It smells wonderful, seems to be pretty thick and concentrated. I'm washing diapers with it as I type this, so I'll know soon how well it works! And if it gets these diapers clean, I know it will be a great recipe!
Have you tried your own detergent before? Let me know in the comments!
It smells wonderful, seems to be pretty thick and concentrated. I'm washing diapers with it as I type this, so I'll know soon how well it works! And if it gets these diapers clean, I know it will be a great recipe!
Have you tried your own detergent before? Let me know in the comments!