Everyday graces of my Vocation

I really like to save money and more importantly I like to know/control the ingredients in the items we use. Do a search for recipes and try out a few to get a feel of which process you like. Trent at my favorite money/frugality blog has calculated the savings of making laundry soap and it basically equates out to an average $0.03 cents a load...wow, right. If you want to research this idea more please visit "The Simple Dollar". Trent has done an excellent job of detailing everything for you!

Liquid Laundry Detergent:

2 gallon Recipe:

3 Pints Water

1/3 bar Fels Naptha Soap, grated

1/2 cup Washing Soda (Arm and Hammer, NOT baking soda though!!)

1/2 cup 20 Mule Team Borax

2 Gallon bucket to mix it in

1 Quart hot water Hot Water

Mix Fels Naptha soap in a saucepan with 3 pints hot water and heat on low until dissolved. Stir in Washing Soda and Borax. Stir until thickened, and remove from heat. Add 1 Quart Hot Water to 2 gallon Bucket. Add soap mixture, and mix well. Fill bucket with additional hot water, and mix well. Set aside for 24 hours, or until mixture thickens. Use 1/2 cup of mixture per load.

5 gallon Recipe: (my favorite)

Water

1 bar grated Fels Naptha soap

5 gallon bucket

1 cup washing soda (Again, Arm and Hammer)

4 1/2 gallons water

Put grated Fels Naptha in saucepan and cover with water. Heat on low until dissolved. Fill bucket with hot water and add soap. Stir to combine. Add 1 cup washing soda and mix well. As it cools, it will thicken. May be used immediately. Use 1- 2 cups per load. I sometimes add

Powdered Laundry Detergent

1 cup grated Fels Naptha Soap

1/2 cup washing soda

1/2 cup 20 mule team borax

Mix and store in airtight container or bag. For light loads, use 2 tablespoon. For heavy loads, use 3 tablespoons.

To make a large batch - grate 6 bars of Fels Naptha Soap and then add 3 cups of Washing Soda and 3 cups of 20 Mule Team Borax. Mix well and store in covered container.