How to Make Liquid Soap Detergent
Homemakers who make their own liquid laundry detergent find their effort well-rewarded as the cost savings add up with each load of laundry. The washing soda softens the water in the liquid laundry detergent, making the recipe suitable even for locations with hard water or well water. A gentle shake before each use will keep the ingredients well-mixed. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Large pot
- Hand-held metal grater
- Bar soap
- Wooden spoon
- Powdered laundry booster
- Washing soda
- 5-gallon bucket
- Soap fragrance
Instructions
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1
Fill a large pot with about 12 cups of water. Heat the water over medium heat.
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2
Grate about three-quarters of a bar of soap into the pot while the water is heating. When all the soap flakes are in the water, stir the content with a wooden spoon until the soap dissolves. Some larger flakes may remain undissolved.
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3
Add a cup of powdered laundry booster to a cup of washing soda. Pour the powdered contents into the liquid laundry detergent mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until the powders are dissolved.
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4
Remove the pot from the heat. While the soap mixture cools, measure 8 cups of cold water into a 5-gallon bucket. Pour the warm liquid laundry detergent mix into the bucket of cold water. Stir well.
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5
Drop about 8 drops of concentrated soap fragrance into the mixture if you desire scented laundry detergent. Stir well. Allow the mixture to blend for about 15 minutes.
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6
Add 2 1/2 gallons of water to the bucket. Mix well. Wait 24 hours for the liquid laundry detergent to thicken.
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7
Pour the liquid laundry detergent into clean plastic containers for storage. Old liquid laundry or fabric softener containers work well. Each medium-sized wash load takes about 1/2 cup of liquid laundry detergent.
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Tips & Warnings
You may find it easier to transfer the liquid laundry detergent from the bucket to smaller containers if you use a funnel and a soup ladle. This will also help minimize spillage.
Keep your detergent-making pots and utensils separate from cooking utensils to avoid accidentally tainting your dinner. Consider storing your soap-making pots and spoons in your laundry room.
