I am always trying new things to save a penny or three. Its not that I am cheap its just that I have a shopping addiction. And every penny I save on household items or food means I can spend more on clothes, books, shoes, jewelry...I know you understand.
So when I read on on One Good Thing by Jillee that I could make a years worth of laundry soap for $30 I thought...Challenge accepted.
Here is the recipe I used:3 bars Fels Naptha or Zorta, grated
1 76oz box of Borax
1 55oz box of Washing Soda
2 cups of baking soda (I use two of the little boxes we have hard water)
2 containers of dollar store OxyClean
1 28 oz box of Purex fabric softener crystals
Grating the soap didn't take as long as I thought it would. I don't have a food processor so The BF and I each grabbed a cheese grater and a bar of soap and did it the old fashion way. I then dumped all the ingredients into a large garbage bag and The BF mixed it all together.
Warning this makes a LOT of soap!!!!! A years worth!!!!
I was immediately challenged with how to store the soap. I don't have a a lot of storage in my laundry room. In what could only be described as a moment of genius I decided to rinse out my old liquid container and use it. This lead to a discussion between The BF and I how am I going to use it without spilling all over the floor.
Then came brilliant idea number two (which I stole from Camp Wander) I placed some in a mason jar. When the jar empties I will refill it from the big container. I also decided to add a few drops of essential oils to my little jar. I choose lavender and lemon, 10 drops each. I love the way they smell together.
I have washed a few loads of laundry already and so far I am a happy camper.
So how much did it cost?
3 bars Fels Napatha - $
Borax - $
Washing Soda - $
Baking Soda - $0.56
2 containers "OxyClean" -$2.00Purex fabric softener crystals - $
Grand Total $
Not bad. Now lets see how long it lasts.
Where do you find all of that stuff?
ReplyDeleteWalmart Laundry aisle.
DeleteI have a storage idea for you. I don't know if you have a cat or not. Perhaps you have a friend that has a cat. You know those big plastic kitty litter buckets? I use one of those. And, you are recycling and not adding to the landfill. Just decorate the container with pretty paper and add a sticker with the recipe right on it. Then you don't have to look up the recipe when you need it again. And, just use and old 1/4 cup measuring cup for your scoop.
ReplyDeleteI do have a cat and that is a very good idea. And I love the part about recycling!!!! Thank you.
DeleteHow is it working now ,Natalie uses her own homemade soap . Do you whites stay white?This is something I want to try
ReplyDeleteSo far we like it. I use a little more than they recommended on The BFs work pants but I feel like it does a great job. I am going to ask Natalie about her laundry soup "recipe".
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