I hand milled my own laundry soap and I might love it

[LaydeeBug]

I am *pickY* about laundry. I am a linen snob and clean sheet day is, like, one of my *favorite* days.

So I read up on people making biodegradable he laundry soap and tried some myself.

What got hung on the line smelled so amazing, just four t shirts made for an air freshener in one of my bedrooms.

Since it was my first time, i did not buy in bulk, but here is what i did:

1 box of Borax
1 box of Arm and Hammer "super washing soda" it's in the laundry aisle.
2 small boxes of arm and hammer baking soda
1 bar of Fels Napina laundry bar soap
1 bar goat's milk soap, I used Olive.

Grate the bars of soap, and add to a food processor in 'batches with the dry ingredients. This will keep your grated soap from becoming a bar again in the processor.

Heaven, I tell you.

[Curmudgeoness]

1. May I ask

why use a blender? What is the consistency when you are done? Can't it just be all mixed together in a bucket?

The reason I ask is that this sounds like a lot of work, especially if you were to make a larger quantity. But it does sound easy enough and the ingredients are easy to find.

[LaydeeBug]

10. It is a labor of love, but easily assembled in a bucket...I used the smaller food processor for the

milling properties (smaller chunks).

It really does smell amazing.

[mkultra321]

2. Borax

Do you suppose you could make that without the borax? I'm looking for a homemade detergent that does not include that ingredient. Sounds pretty great, though!

[LaydeeBug]

6. Yep. Just skip it. nt

[jp11]

3. I bought the basic ingredients,

minus the goat's milk soap and baking soda, and haven't yet tried to make it.

Not sure if my cheese grater from the dollar store will grate up the soap I bought well enough but got to get on it and see how well it mixes then actually works in the laundry.

[LaydeeBug]

7. I used a cheese grater the first time around,

and a mini processor the second time.

I honestly think by hand is easier. You will get finer pieces of soap with the processor, but I had to do small batches because I was using a smaller machine.

[japple]

4. I remember Fels Naptha laundry soap. Is Fels Napina anything

similar? I love to hang my sheets out on the line to dry. They smell heavenly! I have planted lavender and thyme near my clothes line and when it's blooming, everything gets additional perfume.

[LaydeeBug]

5. yes. It is. nt

[Horse with no Name]

8. What did you store it in?

I don't have a food processor--do you have any recommendations?

Thanks!

[LaydeeBug]

9. You can also use a hand grater (like a dollar store cheese grater for real)

Here is what I stored it in:

http://www.target.com/p/anchor-hocking-glass-jar-set-of-2-1-gallon/-/A-12705097?reco=Rec%7Cpdp%7C12705097%7CClickCP%7Citem_page.vertical_1&lnk=Rec%7Cpdp%7CClickCP%7Citem_page.vertical_1

[H. Cromwell]

11. My Recipe

I use this recipe....I shred the fels naptha bars in a food processor and then run the shredded soap thru it again using the grating blade. It is much easier than grating the bars on a cheese grater.

1bar Fels Naptha (grated)
1cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda
1cup Borax

I do about 4 bars of soap and measure everything into a small plastic bucket with a lid....shake well to mix and put the mixture into smaller containers. I use 2 tablespoons of the mix per large load of wash. It is low sudsing and can be used in the new washers. It dissolves well in warm or cold water. We use fabric softener or fabric sheets (in the dryer) for a more refreshing scent on our clothing. I've been using this recipe for about 2 years and feel it is easier on the clothes than the store bought detergents.