Can I Use Glycerin Soap for Homemade Laundry Soap?

With the cost of household products on the rise, especially laundry soap, more consumers are making laundry detergent at home. Some people are adding glycerin soap to their homemade laundry soap in order to keep their liquid laundry soap concoction the same liquid consistency for weeks to come. Omitting glycerin to laundry soap creates a solid chunk on the top of the solution after a few days. Other homemade laundry soap makers claim that glycerin also acts as a stain fighter and remover.

What is Glycerin Soap

Glycerin is a naturally occurring substance in the soap-making process that adds moisture and softness. Glycerin actually soaks up any water from the air, making it "hygroscopic." Homemade soap crafters keep the glycerin component in their soap because the substance makes skin feel softer.

Homemade laundry soap benefits from adding glycerin in that it acts as a natural fabric softener. Most importantly it maintains the integrity of the laundry soap mixture, which extends its shelf life. Glycerin dissolves in alcohol and water, but will not liquefy in oil. Laundry soap often includes glycerin because a variety of cleaning solvents dissolve into it. Another benefit of glycerin soap is that it is easy to find and cheap to purchase from your local craft or health food store.

Glycerin Soap Recipes

Create a powerful laundry cleaning solution with that gentle feel from glycerin. Melt one bar of grated soap in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the soap is fully melted. In a separate pot, combine 2 ½ gallons of hot water, ¾ cup washing soda, ¾ cup Borax, 2 tablespoons glycerin and your heated soap mixture. Mix well until fully combined. Use ½ cup of your homemade laundry soap per full load.

Looking for a homemade laundry soap that actually removes stains and grease from clothing? Try a stain-busting recipe with a delicate scent of rosemary, lavender and tee tree oil. Heat 1 quart of water and add 2/3 bar of grated Fels Naptha soap and 2/3 bar of Kirk's Castile soap. Add 2 cups washing soda and 2 cups of Borax. Stir until thickened.

Pour mixture into a 4-gallon bucket filled with ½ gallon of hot water, and mix well. Add ¼ cup glycerin and 20 to 30 drops of essential oils such as rosemary, lavender or tree tea oil. Add another 5 quarts of water. Allow mixture to cool for 24 hours and use ½ to 1 cup per full load. Pour solution directly on especially tough stains before laundering.

References

• What is Glycerin
• Homemade Laundry Soap Recipes
• Ma's Homemade Laundry Recipe