Save $$ Using Homemade Laundry Soap
 Introduction
These days it seems as though prices are rising on just about everything from
meat to cleaning products. With a family of 5, I am always looking for a way to
stretch every dollar and still get the best value for my money. Upon examining
my grocery purchases, I noticed I was spending quite a bit of money each month
on laundry soap. When I calculated the total amount spent on detergent each year
I simply could not believe my eyes! Buying 2 bottles of store brand laundry soap
every month for a year cost me $168.00. Just for laundry soap! I knew there had
to be a better solution and, after a bit of searching, I found a recipe for
homemade laundry soap that works every bit as good as the store bought brand but
is much less expensive. I make this soap in large quantities (I use a 6 gallon
bucket) for just pennies on the dollar and save money each and every month. My 6
gallon bucket of homemade soap generally lasts my family for at least 6 months
and the ingredients can be purchased for less than $20.00.
 What You Will Need
- (1)
One 6 gallon bucket with lid - I purchased mine at Family Dollar for $5.
- (3) Three
bars of soap - You can use any kind but many people use Zote. Zote is a bar soap
used in Mexico and I buy it from my local Mexican grocer. However, I have used
Camay and other brands when my grocer was out of Zote. I have found that
virtually any bar soap will do the job.
- (1) One box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing
Soda - This is found in the laundry aisle of the grocery store.
- (1)
One box of 20 Mule
Team Borax - Also found in the laundry aisle.
- Water
-
 (1) One empty gallon jug
- (1) One large 2
gallon pot
- (1)
One container of either liquid or powder stain remover
- Stove
- (1) One long
handled spoon
- (1) One old laundry detergent bottle
The Process
-
 Grate all of the bars of soap. You can use a food processor or a cheese
grater to accomplish this task.
- Place your pot on the stove and add 1 ½ gallons of water. Turn the
burner on the lowest setting and add the grated flakes of soap. To prevent
bubbling, continue to melt the soap on low, stirring only occasionally until
completely melted. This will take some time, depending on your stove.
- While the soap is melting, place 2 cups each of Borax and Super Washing
Soda into your 6 gallon bucket. Add 2 gallons of hot water and stir until
the powders are dissolved.
- In the same bucket, add 1 ½ cups of stain remover. Again, stir until
dissolved.
- Once your soap has melted, dump the soap/water mixture into your 6 gallon
bucket. Stir all ingredients thoroughly. Add 2 more gallons of cold water
and repeat the stirring process until all ingredients are well mixed. Place
the lid on your container and stir every few hours, until the mixture has
cooled. As your homemade laundry soap cools, it will expand so be sure not
to add extra water. You will need room in the bucket to prevent overflowing.
Once cooled, your soap will have a gel-like consistency. Your soap is now
finished.
This is a concentrated version. To use your soap efficiently, take your old
detergent bottle and fill it half way with the soap mixture. Add water until the
bottle is full. Cap the bottle and shake thoroughly. Use one cap full per load,
as you would with store bought detergent. You will notice that your homemade
detergent does not fizz or bubble in the way that store brands do. Do not be
concerned! This is completely normal and bubbling is not necessary to clean your
clothes.
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