This is a modified recipe I found on Budget101.com (Original source) When I first found this recipe and read all the reviews and how much this cost, I was so excited. I didn’t have a traditional blender that they used for their recipe so I tried a few different ways to make it work for our family. I was so surprised on how this worked better than all the different types laundry soap I have bought. My family have sensitive skin that get itchy and bumpy when we use tide or other harsh detergents. Most “free and clear” detergents couldn’t get the smell of 2 little boys out of their clothes and bedding. After using this recipe for over a year, I’m still surprised what else I clean using this recipe. With a small cost of $1.76 for 128 loads this can help your family be more frugal and budget savvy.
STEP 1: I start by putting the 8 cups of hot water in a large stock pot, bring it to a rapid boil. By using a stock pot this will save you time from clean up if you accidentally over boil the Fels Naptha bars.
STEP 2: While the water is heating up I dice up my 2 Fels Naptha Laundry Bars into pieces that will fit into my favorite Food processor (Ninja kitchen system).
You can also use a cheese grater if you do not have a food processor.
Step Two
Its all melted!Needs more time to melt
STEP 3: Add your finely grated Fels Naptha Bars to the 8 cups of boiling water and stir constantly. Reduce heat down to medium to reduce the chance of over boiling. Within 10-15 minutes your Fels Naptha Bar should be all melted. The original recipe say you can melt the bars over low heat, but I do NOT recommend this. This has a strong smell that does not smell good if you accidentally burn it.
Step ThreeRolling Boil
It should be a rolling simmer that doesn’t boil over. You will need to keep stirring to make sure the mixture doesn’t foam over the sides.
Step Four- adding the dry ingredients
STEP 4:After your Fels Naptha Laundry Bar is all melted turn off the stove and add your 2 cups of 20 Mule Team Borax and 2 cups of Super Washing Soda. Mix Well
Step Five- Add 2 cups of water for every 1 Fels Naptha Bar used
STEP 5: Add 2cups of water for every 1 Fels Naptha Bar used. So in this recipe it will be 4 cups of water mix well and let it sit for 4-5 hours. The mixture will separate and cause crystals to form.
Step Six- After 4-5 Hours mix separated soap with a immersion blender or hand blender.
STEP 6: Mix well with a immersion blender or a hand mixer. I love using my immersion blender to lower the chances of splattering.
Step Seven- Find a cute jar and make a label.
STEP 7: Find a cute container to store your laundry soap. We reuse large pickle jars to save money. You can find large plastic storage containers at the dollar store, these can be used for home welcoming gifts too!
I have an HE front load washer so I just add 1 TBSP on top of my dirty clothes.
My mother has a top loading machine so she puts 1 Tablespoon in first before she loads the machine. She has done it before or after loading the machine and she sees no difference. She thinks it dissolves better doing it first when using cold water.
Here is the equipment I used:
8 Replies to “Making Your Own Laundry Soap”
I love this thrifty idea. I really love the thought of not having to buy expensive laundry soap like Tide… I will definitely have to try this recipe. Thank you and I will definitely keep coming back to your website and YouTube channel for more ideas and hacks.
can please clarify the amount of water to use? I’m using the original recipe to make a small batch for myself. so would I use 4 cups of water for step 1 and then an additional 2 cups in step 5? (for a total of 6 cups for this mixture)
Usually I always double or quadruple the batch to make 5-7 gallons. But I think this original recipe would make 1-2 gallons of laundry soap. The last time I made this recipe was 1.5-2 years ago. I made 2 stock pots worth and it has last me this long. I still have 1 more gallon left. But my next recipe I publish will be a vegetarian and vegan friendly recipe. I just learned that the Zote and Fels Naptha laundry bars has tallow in it that is derived from beef or pork, which is animal fat. I hope this helps, thanks for the comment.
Hi Melissa. Have you tried this with Zote soap? I can’t take the smell of Naptha, it makes me cough a lot. I’m wondering if Zote will come out the same way since it’s much softer than the Fels Naptha. Thanks for your help!
My last batch I did, over a year ago and still haven’t used all of it up yet, was Zote. I used the Oz I used with Naptha but with Zote. I agree I like the smell way better while making it. But the nice clean smell of Naptha when washing stinky kids and exercise cloths was nice too. But I think I’ll continue to use Zote soap, because of the smell when making it. Thank you for your comment
Step Two
I love this thrifty idea. I really love the thought of not having to buy expensive laundry soap like Tide… I will definitely have to try this recipe. Thank you and I will definitely keep coming back to your website and YouTube channel for more ideas and hacks.
Thank you very much, I’m thinking of making my family a jar of this for Christmas. I love doing home made gifts, maybe I’ll do a video on this too!
can please clarify the amount of water to use? I’m using the original recipe to make a small batch for myself. so would I use 4 cups of water for step 1 and then an additional 2 cups in step 5? (for a total of 6 cups for this mixture)
Yes if you want to cut this recipe in half, you would use 4 cups of water in step 1 and 2 cups of water in step 5. I hope this helps
How much does this make ? Ounces?
Usually I always double or quadruple the batch to make 5-7 gallons. But I think this original recipe would make 1-2 gallons of laundry soap. The last time I made this recipe was 1.5-2 years ago. I made 2 stock pots worth and it has last me this long. I still have 1 more gallon left. But my next recipe I publish will be a vegetarian and vegan friendly recipe. I just learned that the Zote and Fels Naptha laundry bars has tallow in it that is derived from beef or pork, which is animal fat. I hope this helps, thanks for the comment.
Hi Melissa. Have you tried this with Zote soap? I can’t take the smell of Naptha, it makes me cough a lot. I’m wondering if Zote will come out the same way since it’s much softer than the Fels Naptha. Thanks for your help!
My last batch I did, over a year ago and still haven’t used all of it up yet, was Zote. I used the Oz I used with Naptha but with Zote. I agree I like the smell way better while making it. But the nice clean smell of Naptha when washing stinky kids and exercise cloths was nice too. But I think I’ll continue to use Zote soap, because of the smell when making it. Thank you for your comment