Back in 2007 I began making our laundry soap using a recipe from the Simple Dollar. This liquid version has worked great for us for years, but since we have moved I no longer have a practical place to store the 5 gallon bucket. So, I began to experiment with homemade laundry soap powder. I have always used Fels Naptha in the liquid detergent, but I found that since it is such a hard soap, when I used it in the powder recipe, it didn't seem to dissolve all the way in the wash.
A couple of months ago while I was at Walmart buying more Borax and Washing Soda, I came across a soap called "Zote." I had heard of it before and decided to give it a whirl! It looks like this:
 |
| {via Amazon.com} |
There are oodles of laundry detergent recipes out there, but after much experimenting, this is what I have found works best for us. Also, the powder version is really easy for my kids to manage when they are doing their own laundry.
Homemade Laundry Soap Powder:
1 bar Zote Soap
1 cup Borax
2 cups Washing Soda
1. Mix borax and washing soda together.
2. Grate Zote bar with a cheese grater. Mix with borax and washing soda.
3. Process all ingredients in a food processor until mixture resembles a fine powder.
4. Store in an air tight container.
5. Use 1-2 tbsp. per load, depending on load size.
After washing, remove a piece of laundry from the washer, stick your nose in it, inhale deeply and enjoy the nice, fresh, clean smell of your clothes. Aaaaaaahhhhhh. =)
****************************************************
*Update!* Just wanted to address the great questions that I've received so far about this soap:
1) This will make approximately 80 tbsp. of powder. I use 1 tbsp. for a medium size load, and 2 for an extra large load. Or, if the extra large load isn't super dirty, I'll just use 1 tbsp.2) The jar was a $0.25 yard sale find...wish I could help you out with where to find one!
3) I've been doing some comparing, and I believe this soap is very similar to Charlie's Soap Powder, just obviously at a fraction of the cost. I had been using it to wash the cloth diapers but now am using my homemade detergent and it is working awesome!
Have you ever tried making your laundry soap? If so, what's your favorite, liquid or powder?
Great! I've been looking for an easy version! Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteI use the same recipe tho I use a different bar soap...never heard of the one you use...I think I will switch to the powder one next time I make it since my 5 gallon bucket is used for a stepping stool for my little one yr old :) now I am trying to make my own dish dishtergent. I have several recipes and they all for almost the same stuff you put in the clothes detergent....I was using one I liked but now it isn't getting my dishes as clean...I think my dishwasher plays a part and the hard water we have....but Im still experimenting....
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear somebody else uses a 5 gallon bucket for a step stool as well, lol! =) Are you making dish detergent for washing dishes or for the dishwasher? I would love to see your recipe!
DeleteHaven't tried making our own detergent, and wonder why every time I spend so much for a new box or bottle. Ellie at Beauty4Ashes shared a recipe I've been meaning to try... I think maybe it's the one with Fels Naptha, so it's good to hear about issues and an alternative... or to have 2 to try.
ReplyDeleteI would love to hear what you think if you try them both. A second opinion on what works best would be awesome!
DeleteI use Fels Naptha in ours. I've never seen the one you have though. I'll have to keep my eye out!! Last time is was at Wal-Mart they didn't have any Borax!! I had to buy commercial detergent and am hoping to get another chance to look for the Borax later. I much prefer making our own soap. Ours is powder also. I love it!!
ReplyDeleteYours has a much prettier container though! I'll have to keep an eye out for one of those as well!! :)
I found the Zote right by the Fels Naptha at our Walmart. Maybe yours will start carrying it soon. I really love the Zote...was reading the manufacturers site and it was saying that they make it with citronella oil. Makes it smell so good!
DeleteHow many loads does this appox. make? Also, do you use like 1 tbsp for medium, and 2 for large loads? Also, where did you get the cute container? :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I use 1 for medium loads and 2 for large loads. But if it's a large load that is not that dirty, I just use one. I believe this will make around 80 loads if you just did 1 tbsp. per load.
DeleteAs for the cute container...it was a 25 cent yard sale find! Wish I could tell you where to get one like it. =)
Love this! Great idea to use the food processor to make it more evening dispersed... I was just grating the bar of soap (I have tried both FelsNaptha and Zote and love the Zote more) before and it was separating from the rest of the powder! Thanks for the tip!
ReplyDelete*oops I meant EVENLY not evening :)
ReplyDeletewill this work in a High efficiency machine?
ReplyDeleteis it ok to use in HE washers?
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of this recipe being a powder. Does it dissolve in cold water washes as well as warm or hot?
ReplyDelete