Homemade laundry soap!

Tman · 10-26-2004, 07:07 AM

Homemade laundry soap is so incredibly easy, you'll wonder why you didn't learn how to make it sooner. Even though you should have a fairly good understanding of the soap making process, this recipe is still quite easy to do.

One can render their own fats or use lard, but rendered beef fat works the best for making laundry soap. You will need 5 pounds of melted fat in a large stainless or enameled pot, an old canning kettle works best because you will need lots of extra stirring space.

Next you will need to mix 7 cups of water with 1-13 oz. can of lye. When both the fat and the lye water's temperatures get to between 95 and 100 degrees you can then pour the lye water slowly into the fat. Stir until well mixed, then add 1 cup each of household bleach and borax, and stir this well, too.

If you enjoy hanging your clothes outside, but don't like the bugs that move into your clothes, try adding 2 tablespoons of citronella oil when you add the borax and bleach. Citronella oil makes your clothes smell light and lemony. You can add any essential oil you like. Lavender oil leaves a pleasent spring like scent. Cinnamon oil makes a warm wintery addition.

When the mixture starts to crumble, continue to stir occasionally for several hours, then leave over night. Over the next several days, mash and stir to break up chunks. An old potato masher with the wavy type wire works the best. When it all looks like a small curd cottage cheese you are ready to dry it. Spread the laundry soap in a thin layer, on waxed paper lined cooky sheets to dry. Depending on the humidity in your area, this can take 4 or 5 days, or sometimes 2 weeks.

After your laundry soap is completely dry, it will need to be made into flakes for automatic washers. To do this, you can run it through a food processor, a blender or a hand cranked meat grinder. Usuing a hand cranked meat grinder is really the best tool to use for it won't wear out your kitchen tools. Then take this ground up laundry soap and rub it through an old screen and regrind anything that doesn't go through, or you can save the larger chunks for hot water washing. If you like to wash in cold water you really should rub your laundry soap through a screen, it really helps it to dissolve much faster.

This is a pure soap and not a detergent, so you won't see a lot of bubbles unless you have soft water. Use about 1/3 to 1/2 cup to a wash load, depending on how dirty the laundry is and how much water your washer holds.

sgalbo · 10-26-2004, 02:17 PM

This is an original thread! Thank you! I have never even thought of doing this before

The Monster · 10-26-2004, 08:54 PM

Making soap is so much cheaper than buying the same, int he long run. You can also make a small business and such. This thread is very original though. Great read.

The Secret Man · 10-26-2004, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Monster

Making soap is so much cheaper than buying the same, int he long run. You can also make a small business and such. This thread is very original though. Great read.

I must agree, that is a great idea on making soap. My mother currently makes soap for home use. She is a plain 'ole entrepreneur. She sews, makes soap, and I believe fools with editing pictures for our family. Very nice read and thanks for detailed information on making soap. I'll have to pass this on.

Sloppy · 10-26-2004, 09:27 PM

Thanks for the tips, im always scrounging for rent money now hopefully this will cut some of the fat off my finances.

Tom Trauberts Blues · 10-26-2004, 10:08 PM

My girlfriend just made hand soap, but I'd never thought of making laundry soap...

Byrn · 10-27-2004, 05:34 PM

It is a very great idea. good craft and easy way to save a little bit of money!

Johnb · 10-27-2004, 06:04 PM

I admit, this is a cool thing to do, but who has the time to do this? Not I said JohnB

Citizen_Kane · 10-27-2004, 06:31 PM

Yea I dont think I'd have enough time to spare to spend weeks on this, and I dont have a hand operated meat grinder, But cool nonetheless

Ilovehouses · 10-27-2004, 06:38 PM

Great little idea and saving money, Awesome!

10-26-2004, 07:07 AM	#1
Tman Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 6	Homemade laundry soap! Homemade laundry soap is so incredibly easy, you'll wonder why you didn't learn how to make it sooner. Even though you should have a fairly good understanding of the soap making process, this recipe is still quite easy to do. One can render their own fats or use lard, but rendered beef fat works the best for making laundry soap. You will need 5 pounds of melted fat in a large stainless or enameled pot, an old canning kettle works best because you will need lots of extra stirring space. Next you will need to mix 7 cups of water with 1-13 oz. can of lye. When both the fat and the lye water's temperatures get to between 95 and 100 degrees you can then pour the lye water slowly into the fat. Stir until well mixed, then add 1 cup each of household bleach and borax, and stir this well, too. If you enjoy hanging your clothes outside, but don't like the bugs that move into your clothes, try adding 2 tablespoons of citronella oil when you add the borax and bleach. Citronella oil makes your clothes smell light and lemony. You can add any essential oil you like. Lavender oil leaves a pleasent spring like scent. Cinnamon oil makes a warm wintery addition. When the mixture starts to crumble, continue to stir occasionally for several hours, then leave over night. Over the next several days, mash and stir to break up chunks. An old potato masher with the wavy type wire works the best. When it all looks like a small curd cottage cheese you are ready to dry it. Spread the laundry soap in a thin layer, on waxed paper lined cooky sheets to dry. Depending on the humidity in your area, this can take 4 or 5 days, or sometimes 2 weeks. After your laundry soap is completely dry, it will need to be made into flakes for automatic washers. To do this, you can run it through a food processor, a blender or a hand cranked meat grinder. Usuing a hand cranked meat grinder is really the best tool to use for it won't wear out your kitchen tools. Then take this ground up laundry soap and rub it through an old screen and regrind anything that doesn't go through, or you can save the larger chunks for hot water washing. If you like to wash in cold water you really should rub your laundry soap through a screen, it really helps it to dissolve much faster. This is a pure soap and not a detergent, so you won't see a lot of bubbles unless you have soft water. Use about 1/3 to 1/2 cup to a wash load, depending on how dirty the laundry is and how much water your washer holds.

10-26-2004, 02:17 PM	#2
sgalbo Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 22	This is an original thread! Thank you! I have never even thought of doing this before

10-26-2004, 08:54 PM	#3
The Monster Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1	Making soap is so much cheaper than buying the same, int he long run. You can also make a small business and such. This thread is very original though. Great read.

10-26-2004, 09:27 PM	#5
Sloppy Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 9	Thanks for the tips, im always scrounging for rent money now hopefully this will cut some of the fat off my finances.

10-26-2004, 10:08 PM	#6
Tom Trauberts Blues Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 36	My girlfriend just made hand soap, but I'd never thought of making laundry soap...

10-27-2004, 05:34 PM	#7
Byrn Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 36	It is a very great idea. good craft and easy way to save a little bit of money!

10-27-2004, 06:04 PM	#8
Johnb Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 11	I admit, this is a cool thing to do, but who has the time to do this? Not I said JohnB

10-27-2004, 06:31 PM	#9
Citizen_Kane Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 16	Yea I dont think I'd have enough time to spare to spend weeks on this, and I dont have a hand operated meat grinder, But cool nonetheless

10-27-2004, 06:38 PM	#10
Ilovehouses Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 10	Great little idea and saving money, Awesome!


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