Taking the plunge

I'm going for it! I finally ran out of my regular laundry soap and decided to try the Duggar family's laundry soap recipe! I'm super excited about this since the cost to wash over 600 loads (in my front load washer) will end up being about...drumroll please...$4. That is not a type-o. I know half of you had to re-read that. Now the real test is on...does it actually work? We'll find out soon. I still have to let the mixture sit overnight. So, in case you want to try it out, here's the actual recipe:

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap- Front or top load machine- best value

4 Cups - hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
½ Cup Borax

- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. (I found this to be the hardest part for me - about 10 minutes of straight grating) Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted. (and this is the most time-consuming - took me about 40 minutes to melt that stuff down! - watched part of a movie to pass the time since you must keep stirring)

-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.

-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)

-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.

-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.

-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)

-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)

*Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" - in some stores or may be purchased online here (at Meijer.com). Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!


If you try this, let me know what kind of results you get!

♥ Estelle


PS -
I made these for an after dinner treat for the kids. Super easy and they're gonna love it. The photo should be self-explanatory.