Comments on: Home Made Laundry Soap

By: Darren

Darren — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 11:37:57 +0000

Just an update – we’ve now been using this recipe in a front-loader for about 18 months, with no problems at all.

By: Angela

Angela — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:54:53 +0000

This is the recipe I have been using for almost a year now! I’m in the USA but the recipes come out the same. I add about 500 ml vinegar to every batch of soap I make and my machine hardly ever has that musty smell that I would often get from commercial brands! I figured up the cost of my soap without the oils and it costs less than one cent a load!

By: Darren

Darren — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:20:59 +0000

@Hannah: We’ve got a top loader. This mix doesn’t seem to suds up too much, so it might be OK in a front loader. I think I’ve read of other people using a similar recipe in front loaders, but I can’t recall where I saw that. You could try one load with a mop on standby just in case .

By: hannah

hannah — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 06:48:07 +0000

Hi Darren,

Do you have top loader or front. I do this without the cooking and adding water to get the gel, and I don't think it's as economical as the gel, but worry about the gel in the front loader. Love your feedback.

Hannah

By: Darren

Darren — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 22:17:38 +0000

@mountainwildlife: Great to hear! The borax is apparently only a bleaching agent, so it doesn’t hurt to leave it out especially if you dry the clothes in the sun. Can’t argue with the economics of this laundry soap, either! Good tip about adding the oils, thanks.

By: mountainwildlife

mountainwildlife — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:11:32 +0000

I’ve been making this sinice last year and have to say I am really happy with it (with 4 y.o. twins too, so our washing is pretty heavy duty!) I don’t like the borax though, so I leave it out, and it hasn’t made any difference that I can tell. My kids have sensitive skin and this costs me under $2 for 10 litres, compared to over $50 (for 10 litres equivalent) for sensitive supermarket liquid – no contest – I will never buy it again. Also, the lectric soda helps avoid soap build up in the machine. Just a tip if I may – from my aromatherapist MIL – if you add aromatherapy oils to the mix, wait until it cools a little otherwise it evpaorates and loses a lot. I find eucalyptus to be the best scent…. mmmmm…..!

By: Darren

Darren — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:10:57 +0000

@Wilson: Sure you can. It’ll add fragrance to the whole batch, though – it might be better to just add a drop or two into the wash each time so you can vary it for different loads.

By: Wilson Pon

Wilson Pon — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:42:19 +0000

Darren, I’m wondering, can I add some additional fragrance oils, such as the Lavender or Sandalwood into the homemade soap?

By: Darren

Darren — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 06:23:37 +0000

@Trevor: Washing soda is in the laundry aisle. I’ve seen it in all three of the supermarkets I’ve been in recently (was checking because I was going to post this recipe!). She probably just hasn’t seen it because she hasn’t had reason to look for it. I don’t pretend to know your wife’s schedule, but it really only takes about 10 minutes to make up a batch of this laundry soap, and that gives you 10 litres – probably enough for about 40 washes. And it’s way, way cheaper than even the cheapest commercial alternative – let alone the premium-priced ‘green’ products. Still, that GrabGreen looks like an interesting product for busy people.

By: Trevor

Trevor — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 04:58:36 +0000

Told my wife about your recipe and she said she hasn’t seen washing soda at the supermarket. Has anyone seen it there?

My wife also said she probably wouldn’t get around to making detergent, with her busy schedule and all. We’ve been using green household products when possible but definitely lean towards things that are also convenient. We heard about a new detergent called grabgreen from a friend and ended up buying it on their website after doing some research. It’s a neat product (check their website, http://www.grabgreenhome.com) because the detergent is packed into these clear packets that dissolve in water. There is less waste with the packaging too since it comes in a small pouch. We’ve found it to be really effective too. So this is a great alternative for people like us who like convenient (and green) products!

By: Darren

Darren — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 06:49:02 +0000

@Jason: Good point about using the greywater. One option (admittedly not ideal) is to dump the wash cycle water down the drain, but use the rinse cycle water for the garden so you’re only getting a tiny amount of the Borax. I have also seen someone recommending that you can substitute bicarb soda for the Borax, although I haven’t tried that myself. The Borax is basically there as a gentle bleach, so you could probably leave it out if you like. And yeah, vinegar as a rinse aid in the dishwasher is great!

By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:18:58 +0000

Just be careful with using the grey water from this mixture on the garden. Borax contains boron and too much of that stuff will make your soil effectively toxic. There are a few boron loving plants such as passionfruit, but the general rule with boron is that a little goes a long way (as it is a trace element). Also vinegar as a dishwasher rinse aid works extremely well. I have been using this for over a decade now.

By: Darren

Darren — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:15:49 +0000

@Greenfumb: Let me know how you go! I think Borax is in the laundry aisle at most supermarkets, probably near Draino etc. It’s also an effective environmentally-friendly ant poison – mix it with a bit of honey or sugar and water, and put it out in jar lids where you’re having ant problems. They take it back to their nest, and it wipes out the whole colony.

By: Greenfumb

Greenfumb — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:07:27 +0000

Im definitely gong to try that, I love the idea of different fragrances for different loads. Where do you get borax from? Deb