Laundry Soap Recipe To Save You a Metric Asston of $$$ [Archive] - SHTF Ready - Survival, Disaster and Emergency Readiness Forum

Stormfeather

02-09-2015, 06:31 AM

Grate a 14.1 oz bar of zote or 5.5 oz bar of fels-naphtha like cheese, put in sauce pan with 4 cups warm water stir over medium heat until soap dissolves. Fill 5 gal bucket 1/2 full with hot tap water, add melted soap, 1 cup super washing soda, 1/2 cup borax. Stir til all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with hot tap water while stirring. Cover and let sit overnight to thicken. Fill discarded containers 1/2 full of soap mix and top off with water. Shake before each use.
Top loaders use 5oz soap for 180 load yield, front load 2 oz for 640 load yield.

Domeguy

02-09-2015, 01:54 PM

I use a slight different variation of this recipe, but Mr. S you sure are correct. You will save a ton of money. I've been doing this for over three years now. If I spent $20 a month on name brand detergent, that savings now would be around $750 in my pocket, free money.

ElevenBravo

02-17-2015, 11:10 PM

In a SHTF situation, scrape a bar of Ivory over a course cheeze grater and dissolve, wash cloths... rinse, wring and line dry.

I did the same in the field (and in boot), but just scrubbed my clothes with the bar and then hand washed, whatever works to get the funk out!

In Harmony Church, we had 1 washer and 1 dryer for 54 grunts, I never got to use either, never. Id pull my boot laces and use them as a clothes line, then put them back in the morning to get dressed.

God the shit Ive had to do just to get by...

EB

Sniper-T

02-17-2015, 11:35 PM

So where do you buy fels or zote? what exactly is super washing soda? avail where?

Domeguy

02-18-2015, 08:36 AM

I buy all 3 items at Walmart. They will be in the laundry detergent isle, usually all three items side by side. I have also bought them at larger grocery stores.

robsdak

02-18-2015, 01:19 PM

being raised Mormon, mom still uses and makes this. i do not, i use a brand name with Oxy Clean. a snob, i guess. well that and i like the smell.

ElevenBravo

02-18-2015, 10:19 PM

Sniper-T

02-18-2015, 10:26 PM

A number of years ago we had a leaky cat, and Mrs. Sniper found an oxy-cleaner for carpets... NOTHING worked better! Except of course getting rid of the cat!

ElevenBravo

02-18-2015, 10:47 PM

Well, Ill trust the testimony of a fellow user here, so yeah... Ill give it a try.

OxyClean, here I come bitch, you better work.

EB

Sniper-T

02-18-2015, 10:55 PM

never tried the laundry one... just the carpet one. Laundry we currently use whatever is on sale at Costco... going to hit ww tomorrow, and depending on work, make up a batch this weekend!

Stormfeather

02-19-2015, 02:36 AM

Let me know how it works out for you!

Sniper-T

02-19-2015, 02:46 AM

I'll make it... the wife will test it! She has the last... and only veto!

robsdak

02-19-2015, 02:36 PM

Yeah, Oxy Clean... Cause the man with the beard sold it on TV, it must be good!
http://images.sodahead.com/polls/000475168/polls_billy_oxyclean_5146_49424_poll_xlarge.jpeg

Sorry, not to pick fun, but I trust nothing "as sold on TV", that usually translates to "overpriced garbage"

EB

no, it really works! Arm & Hammer PLUS Oxy Clean in Fresh Scent. when i am in the yard, over building bee boxes, fishing. it's the only thing that gets the clothes clean.

ladyhk13

02-19-2015, 10:35 PM

Domeguy I want ya'll to come over and do a batch with me....when it gets a little warmer.

Sniper-T

02-19-2015, 10:49 PM

jamesneuen

02-20-2015, 12:06 AM

Some people have absolutely no DIY instinct at all

Domeguy

02-21-2015, 07:20 AM

QUOTE=ladyhk13;79106]Domeguy I want ya'll to come over and do a batch with me....when it gets a little warmer.[/QUOTE]

I would be honored mam. It would be my pleasure. If you want it to have a favorite scent, you just add several drops of essential oils near the end. I've made some with a light citrus bouquet and also honeysuckle, but plain ol' soap smells good too.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f226/gantsum/1ce9fb159a5bd518ab917994fdea5394_zps80883687.jpg

Sniper-T

02-21-2015, 01:43 PM

Stopped at a different grocery store and they had the borax AND the super washing soda, but no fels or zope. Didn't get to the target yet though. will keep trying.

Domeguy

02-21-2015, 02:09 PM

I've also tried using a large bar of Ivory soap, since it is "99.4 percent pure", and it came out just fine. The basic formula is very forgiving. You can make it into a powdered laundry soap, or a liquid. You can use different bars of soap, and different amounts of the dry ingredients, and it always seems to clean the laundry just fine.http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f226/gantsum/ed0aad9c296db193b6fc4e5b6b3a145e_zps4edda18b.jpg

ladyhk13

02-21-2015, 02:36 PM

QUOTE=ladyhk13;79106]Domeguy I want ya'll to come over and do a batch with me....when it gets a little warmer.

I would be honored mam. It would be my pleasure. If you want it to have a favorite scent, you just add several drops of essential oils near the end. I've made some with a light citrus bouquet and also honeysuckle, but plain ol' soap smells good too.

I have all the ingredients to do it.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f226/gantsum/1ce9fb159a5bd518ab917994fdea5394_zps80883687.jpg[/QUOTE]

robsdak

02-21-2015, 05:03 PM

Well that was an epic fail. Stopped by the WW on the way home and all they had was borex. I even asked the lady in that section and she looked at me like I was crazy, and even more so when I explained what they were for." This whole aisle is laundry soap, just buy one"

Will try Target tomorrow...

DUMBASSES! i swear. the world is full of them... ST try a hardware store, if nothing else. i am sure they will have it. if not, i will send you a 'care package'.

Taz Baby

02-22-2015, 01:58 PM

This is the starter kit that I use.

http://www.diynatural.com/homemade-laundry-detergent-soap/

Then I add 1 cup baking soda, and 1 jar of the Oxy-clean, Small jar, and my favorite scented Purex Crystals for a softener. Also after I grate my bar soap (Fels-Naptha only) I put it in a blender to make it more finer. Mix it altogether, and use 2 TSP for each load. store in any air tight container.

http://www.lifewithlevi.com/wp-content/uploads/images/2014/01/DIY-Laundry-Ingredients.jpg

Domeguy

02-28-2015, 05:42 PM

AlphaTea

03-11-2015, 06:33 PM

If you are making this recipe into a liquid detergent and you have a favorite scented brand, after the batch is made and before you seperate into smaller containers, you can add a bottle of that brand I to the container and mix it in. The scent will be weaker, but will still be there. You can do the same with a favorite powdered mix if making a dry mix recipe.

I have pretty much been doing it this way for Wifey for the last 5 years or so. I make it 1/2 bar any soap but usually Fals Naptha, 1/2 cup Washing Soda, 1/4 cup Borateem and a small bottle of cheap liquid detergent (for smell and color) in a 5 gallon bucket. Then fill bucket up with water. Just use it straight.
We tried home made fabric softener but it was not very good. Dishwasher detergent was a bust too.
Im going to try to make some bath soap in the near future.

Sniper-T

03-01-2016, 11:56 AM

Bump...

How has everyone been making out with this???

I happened to be in the detergent Aisle on the way home yesterday, and noticed that they had everything I needed so with a slight substitution of this:

http://www.hospitalitydepot.com.au/files/catalog/janitorial/chemicals/general/miscellaneous/products/sunlight-pure-laundry-soap-125g-48/600x600-1_3120530.jpg

instead of the Fels, I should be good to go. Going to pick up a new bucket on the way home for a fresh start (and so my soap doesn't smell like relish from a diner bucket.

AlphaTea

03-01-2016, 04:33 PM

I have used different kinds of bar soap and the results are always pretty much the same. Every time I make a new batch I try a different brand of bar soap just to see if I like it better. I just acquired some Sodium tripoly Phosphate that I am going to incorp into the next batch.

ch7ster

03-01-2016, 05:37 PM

Homemade soap no brainer. Save $$$ to spend on other things you need.

Domeguy

03-01-2016, 07:20 PM

Like i posted before, I have been doing this for years. I think one reason they use Fels is because it doesn't seem to produce as much soap bubbles as others, but I'm not sure. I have used Ivory soap before, and it worked just fine, although more soap bubbles. The bubbles don't do anything to help make your cloths any cleaner, soap companies have just brain washed us to make us think more bubbles means better cleaning. More soap suds/bubbles just makes it harder to fully rinse out the clothes. With the newer models of front loading washers, they require a low sudsing detergents so they can be rinsed better. They use less water for the washing and the rinse cycle. This is why they are called more efficient...using less water.

Sniper-T

03-01-2016, 09:47 PM

I have a 25+ yo top load that rarely ever gets anything but a full load. But maybe I should make a 1/2 batch first time around and make sure it's going to work ok with the sunlight...

Domeguy

03-02-2016, 03:23 AM

That's up to you, and probably a good decision. But I think not because it won't work, but you may prefer to 'tweak' the recipe. I'm sure you have looked a lot on line, some call for 1/2 a cup of a product, while others say to use only 1/4 cup, and others 3/4 cup. I dont think there is a wrong way to make it...within reason, just a way YOU would prefer to make it. And remember you can make it liquid or powder form too. I prefer liquid, as I have had powders get trapped in a pocket or some such and not dissolve...just my preference.

Sniper-T

03-02-2016, 12:04 PM

Yeah, I like liquid for the same reason.

Katrina

03-05-2016, 05:08 AM

Has anyone tried adding some Dawn dish soap to the liquid mix? Curious to know as Dawn takes grease out of just 'bout anything. Thanks

Domeguy

03-05-2016, 05:43 AM

It would take out the grease, but you would have to run the rinse cycle several times to get all of the soap suds/bubbles out of the clothes.

Sniper-T

03-05-2016, 04:44 PM

I know that you cannot substitute dish soap for laundry soap... I completely bubbled out an entire 10x10 room one time to learn that tidbit!

lol

Sniper-T

03-05-2016, 05:04 PM

My 'sniper-style' laundry soap is setting as of now. I will post some pics soon, but it actually took longer to take the pics than it did to make the soap!

I made 2.5 gallons-ish. here is the recipe and the cost breakdown:

price per.............................................2. 5 gallon portioned

borax 2kg $6.79 ........................................1/2 cup: $0.42
laundry soap: $1.45 ea ................................1/2 bar: $0.73
washing soda 3kg: $7.79...............................1/2 cup: $0.32
oxiclean 680g: $6.99 ................................1/4 cup: $0.68
................$23.02............................ .......................$2.15
.................................................. .......................$0.86/gal

I added the oxiclean as an homage to Rob...
compared to a local sale on sunlight for $12.99 right now.

Sniper-T

03-05-2016, 05:30 PM

The players:

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt140/Sniper-T/prep/0305161147d_zpsroteh9of.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Sniper-T/media/prep/0305161147d_zpsroteh9of.jpg.html)

Since it was handy, I used the food processor to grate the soap:

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt140/Sniper-T/prep/0305161147a_zpsdhfskqby.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Sniper-T/media/prep/0305161147a_zpsdhfskqby.jpg.html)

The dry ingredients:

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt140/Sniper-T/prep/0305161157b_zpsccyzm7wt.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Sniper-T/media/prep/0305161157b_zpsccyzm7wt.jpg.html)

stirring:

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt140/Sniper-T/prep/0305161157c_zpsfwf1w1ko.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Sniper-T/media/prep/0305161157c_zpsfwf1w1ko.jpg.html)

stirring:

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt140/Sniper-T/prep/0305161158b_zpsp81uitt2.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Sniper-T/media/prep/0305161158b_zpsp81uitt2.jpg.html)

Katrina

03-05-2016, 07:30 PM

I have used a drop of Dawn on my clothes before and didn't have a problem with suds. That's why I was curious on putting a little bit into the mixture.
Thanks for the tip

Domeguy

03-05-2016, 10:28 PM

One drop maybe, but I think you would do best by just pre scrubbing the offending stain, especially if you have a front loading machine.

Domeguy

03-05-2016, 10:37 PM

My 'sniper-style' laundry soap is setting as of now. I will post some pics soon, but it actually took longer to take the pics than it did to make the soap!

I made 2.5 gallons-ish. here is the recipe and the cost breakdown:

price per.............................................2. 5 gallon portioned

borax 2kg $6.79.................................... 1/2 cup: $0.58
laundry soap: $1.45 ea................................1/2 bar: $0.73
washing soda 3kg: $7.79.............................1/2 cup: $0.44
oxiclean 680g: $6.99....................................1/4 cup: $0.87
................$23.02............................ ..........................$2.62
.................................................. .............................$1.05/gal

I added the oxiclean as an homage to Rob...
compared to a local sale on sunlight for $12.99 right now.

Mr. Sniper sir, I put forth a question about the Oxyclean. As I remember in the commercial, he tells us when you add it to water, it's oxygen power starts to work doing its magic. Would it start its magic as soon as you add the water to it when making the recipe, and therefore useless by the time it gets used in the machine? I have no idea, just askin?

Katrina

03-06-2016, 06:20 AM

Dome, Nah I got a 20 yr old top loading Maytag. Replaced the dry twice but the old washer is still going strong.Heard ya got lady set up on the laundry soap.Now I just gotta catch up ;)

Sniper-T

03-06-2016, 02:05 PM

I have no idea DG... I'm making this shit up as I go along.

I got a load of laundry ready to go for it's maiden voyage

Sniper-T

03-07-2016, 01:35 PM

laundry turned out well. I didn't have any real down and dirty-been working in the yard for 10 hours kind of stuff, but I am impressed so far. the fresh laundry scent is more than I'm used to, is that from the soap? I might cut that down in the future...

My wife was down south and brought me back a couple bars of Fels and a couple of Zote, So for the next batch I may go status quo and try one of those instead.

Sniper-T

03-08-2016, 12:02 PM

BTW,

A question for you experienced soap makers... what is the consistency of your soap?

Mine turned out kinda like room temperature snot... and kind of looks like it too.

It works well, but I thought it would be thicker. I am wondering if it was the oxiclean that didn't allow it to set completely.
???

Domeguy

03-08-2016, 01:37 PM

Snot is what you are trying to get. Snot is perfect. That is why you mix it very well before you transfer it into your different storage containers (if that is how you store it). I use a drill and a paint mixer as it really helps to stir things up. If your post nasal drip concoction is still to thick to transfer to smaller containers, add a couple cups of hot water, and mix again. If it gels up too bad in your container, add about a cup of water, and shake it up. As a mater of fact, you should shake it up a bit each time before you pour it out of the jug, as it will try to re-gel a bit.

Sniper-T

03-08-2016, 01:46 PM

Woohoo!!!

I made SNOT!!

I used my drill and wine whip to mix, and had to again before I put it into the 'use' containers.

I'm ok with that, I can live with snot. I just didn't realize that it was the end result.

Does dish soap resemble post nasal drip too?