Mom's Super Laundry Sauce

Fisher

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Fair use
http://www.budget101.com/myo-household-items/whipped-cream-super-laundry-soap-3993.html

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Mom's Super Laundry Sauce
by Liss
452 Comments
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Here is an amazingly simple Do It Yourself detergent that doesn't leave any residue on clothing, gets nearly every stain known to man out the first time around and smells clean and fresh- oh and did I mention that it costs about $1.76 for 128 loads of laundry?

Since our teen son started working at a fast food restaurant, this has become our most-loved detergent recipe. His clothing was so saturated with heavy french fry and onion ring grease scent that even washing them in TIDE didn't take out the horrendous smell. I whipped up a half gallon of this detergent and washed his clothes while he was at school- he thought I'd gotten a new shirt from his boss at work! First time EVER that ALL of the smell finally came out of his clothes, without further à deux - here is my Super Laundry Sauce recipe!

By the way, One Single tablespoon of soap does a whole load of wash! As with ALL household/Soap/Detergent/ Cleaner recipes, please take the time to read through the ENTIRE recipe before starting it. It will save you loads of hassle with a recipe that doesn't set properly.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN- Check out our NO COOK VERSION HERE

Mom's Super Laundry Sauce
Recipe adapted from Whipped Laundry Concentrate

~ This makes 1/2 Gallon of concentrate ~
~ Btw, that's a full 128 loads of laundry!! ~

1 bar Fels Naptha (Yes, the ENTIRE Bar!)
1 cup 20 Mule Team Borax
1 cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda (NOT BAKING SODA!!)
4 cups of hot water

Here are what the ingredients look like:

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Quick Note: Follow the directions Carefully, adding the ingredients at the wrong time will result in a grainy textured detergent that will not dissolve well in the washer.

Step 1: Put 4 cups of water in a large heavy saucepan over high heat. While that is heating, mix the borax and washing soda together in a bowl, mixing well, set aside.

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Step 2: Grate the Fels Naptha- the easiest way to do this is to cut it into several smaller chunks and then run it through a food processor- otherwise, you can just grate it with a hand grater or shave it with a knife.

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Step 3: Add the freshly grated soap to the water in the saucepan, stirring almost constantly. Reduce the heat to medium, It will take approximately 10 – 15 minutes for the Fels Naptha to complete dissolve. If it takes longer, your heat wasn't up high enough. Alternatively, you can melt the fels on the stove over low heat without water then add the water afterwards, stirring it in, as the original recipe called for. I find that it's much easier to melt IN the water. Absolutely do NOT let this Boil over, or you'll have a sudsy mess that you do NOT want to contend with!!

It should be a rolling, simmering boil where you must stir Constantly but it does not foam heavily or seem to "creep up" the saucepan. See the photo below- note the amount of "foam" - that's all you should see.

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Step 4: Once the fels naptha has completely melted, remove the pan from the heat and add in the Borax and the Washing Soda, stirring constantly until the powders are completely dissolved, this will take about 3-5 minutes. Do not under-stir or your soap texture will be very grainy rather than smooth. (You can fee the "graininess" on the bottom of the pan, once you can't feel it, it's incorporated fully!)

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Step 5: Pour the liquid equally into (2) 1 quart Mason jars.

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Step 6: Add just enough water to bring the contents up to the “shoulders” or Rounded part of the jar, leaving approximately 1 ½ inches of headspace.

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Step 7: Put the lid on the jars and turn them UPSIDE DOWN and let them sit a few hours (about 4 - 5 hours). The reason for this is that the soap is going to Separate into layers while it's resting and occasionally will form crystals on the bottom. Rather than waste these trying to scrape them off, in the next step we're going to incorporate them easily! Btw, if you leave it overnight it will have a slightly grainier texture than if you whip it immediately after 4 hours.

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The Layers will separate after a few hours:

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Then the bottom layer will become very, very thick, like so:

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Step 8: There are two ways to do this next step, depending on what you have for equipment. Here's how I like to do it- unscrew the blade and bottom from your blender and screw them onto your regular mouthed mason jar containing all of your ingredients.

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Place the entire mason jar on the blender and whip until smooth and creamy throughout, about a minute. Flip back over, unscrew the blender blade, attach a cover and seal.

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If you don't have mason jars or a blender, pour the contents of your settled jar into a large bowl, be sure to scrape down any remaining from the jar to get it all. Using a Hand mixer, Whip the ingredients until light and fluffy and well blended. Transfer the ingredients back into the jar, cover and store until needed. If you like, add a tsp of glycerin per jar.


Step 9: To use, add 1 Tablespoon to a load of laundry in any type of machine, conventional, Front Loader, High Capacity & High Efficiency (HE), etc. Do not add the detergent to the "detergent compartment" but instead directly with the dirty clothes. The detergent is Smooth and creamy with the same Look and consistency of Mayonnaise. Be sure to label the jar to prevent accidental ingestion!!

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Here is EXACTLY how I use our detergent:

Top Loading Machine Directions
1.Fill the machine with dirty clothes
2.start the water, (hot- Cold- or warm- doesn't matter)
3.Measure out 1 Tablespoon (literally) of super laundry sauce
4.stick the measuring spoon of detergent under the running water, let it fall off the spoon.
5.Close the washer lid, go away and do something else while the machine runs.

Front-loader Machine Directions:
1.Fill the machine with dirty clothes
2.Measure out 1 Tablespoon (literally) of super laundry sauce On Top of the dirty Clothes
3.Close the washer, start it, go away and do something else while the machine runs.

Really, it's that easy folks!

Tips and Tricks, Troubleshooting & Other Thoughts and experiences:

•Do NOT Use Baking Soda or Oxyclean in this recipe hoping it will be an added "Boost". Your jars will likely explode within 7-10 days in storage (Don't ask how we know!)
•We have not had any issues with clothing fading due to use
•Since the Soaps have been completely dissolved in this recipe, it leaves NO residue on your clothing like many homemade detergent recipes
•This recipe can easily be doubled to make a Full Gallon of Detergent.
•This can be stored indefinitely. It does become slightly firmer but still melts fine in water, hot or cold
•Fels Naptha Can usually be found in the Laundry Detergent Isle of the Grocery Store for about $1 a bar, or it can be found online here.
•If you leave the detergent sitting more than 6 hours without whipping it, it will likely take on a grainy texture. It should be light, smooth, silky feeling with no "gritty" feeling whatsoever. If it Does have grit, that means that it did Not dissolve properly.
•What do I do if it's too grainy or if it doesn't separate? If it's too grainy or doesn't separate it means that the soaps were not fully dissolved. You can spoon the mixture back into your saucepan and remelt it until it is smooth. Try not to breathe in the fumes, remember, you are making detergent! Once it feels "smooth" pour it back into the mason jars. Let it set a few hours and then whip.
••Gritty Soap- if your soap is mostly smooth with only a little "grit" feeling, it will still work fine, but may not dissolve well in cold water.
•If you have Moderately gritty soap that DID separate, but you don't feel like it's "good enough" to use in your laundry, then use it as a super stain remover for those stubborn stains
•If your soap is Super Gritty or didn't separate, you should remelt it over medium heat, stirring constantly.

•Do NOT use different sized jars, your soap will not set properly.
Budget101 Budget Breakdown:

Fels Naptha .99 bar
Borax 76 oz box = 9.5 cups $3.29 box = .34 c per cup
Washing Soda 55 oz box =6.875 cups - $2.97 box = .43 per cup
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Total Expense for 128 loads of Laundry = $1.76

Before you Begin- Check out our Simplified NO COOK Version of this Recipe, aptly named
Super Laundry Sauce for Dummies, No Fail 7 minute Laundry Detergent

Free Printable Labels

See Also: Frequently Asked Questions
 

Rabbit

Has No Life - Lives on TB
That looks like it might actually work. The last time I tried to make my own detergent I ended up with a five gallon bucket of goop. I later learned that the homemade stuff was the cause of plumbing problems too.

And wow to being able to use a blender with a mason jar.
 

lassiesma

Senior Member
I need to dig out my blender and see if the blade bottom fits on my jars. It sure would be a time saver if it does. Just think of the cold slushy drinks you could make and serve on a hot summer day right from the jar.
 

willowwind

Contributing Member
I make this soap all the time but the larger version,she has condensed it down which is nice for space. I might give it a try on the next batch.

I love this soap and it works well. I do still spot some stains such as grass stains as I have young boys still at home,and they grind that stuff in :)
 

Genevieve

working on it
Thanks! I'll be copying this down and trying it.

willowwind use the fels naptha straight and a scrub brush on those grass stains and the throw in the laundry to wash
 

Josie

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I have made the multi-gallon recipe once. It seemed to work fine but storing all those plastic containers was a huge pain in the neck. If I know I can store in a couple of mason jars, it might be worth a try!

And is this suitable for the HE machine I have now?
 

momof23goats

Deceased
I make my soap, but I use home made bars, amnd i make about 4 or a little more gallons at a time, and my clothes come clean,I use a 1/4 cup at a time.
 

Freeholder

This too shall pass.
I like this! As others have said, I'm already making and using the same recipe but making the larger, more diluted batch, and it's a pain to store! I like that you can store a whole batch in two quart jars!! And I like that it doesn't separate once it's been through the blender. I have to stir the 5-gallon bucket full each time I use it, and that's a pain, too. Pretty hard to whip that much detergent. I've been slowly getting rid of my narrow-mouth quart jars and keeping the wide-mouth ones (I had lots of both, and the narrow-mouth ones have been going to a friend). I'll have to keep a few of the narrow-mouth ones, because that's what will fit on the blender base.

Kathleen
 

NamasteMama

Senior Member
I have tried this before and it dose not work with hard water. Your clothes eventually get a nasty dingy build up. Although I am excited to find out I can use Mason jars with my blender!
 

Be Well

may all be well
Can I use a soap other than Fels? Reason: Fels N. used to have a pleasant clean smell from the ingredients. I used to use it on a scrub board washing clothes at home years ago. Last time I tried a bar a few years ago, they had added a strong perfume to the soap which I cannot hanlde. I would gladly use Fels N if they took the perfume out. The regular smell was just from the ingredients and it was harmless and pleasant and after washing the clothes and rinsing the smell didn't linger.

Also, would a wand blender work?
 

Be Well

may all be well
I have tried this before and it dose not work with hard water. Your clothes eventually get a nasty dingy build up. Although I am excited to find out I can use Mason jars with my blender!

Oh, that nixes it for me. Very hard water. :-(
 

BREWER

Veteran Member
I make my soap, but I use home made bars, amnd i make about 4 or a little more gallons at a time, and my clothes come clean,I use a 1/4 cup at a time.

I make a large batch, too with the above recipe. You will probably use 1/2 to 1 Cup for the average large load.
 

gunnersmom

Veteran Member
I used to make it with the water, but started just using the dry ingredients. I give my mom some and it's so much easier for her to haul to the laundry in her apartment bldg. It stores so much easier, too.
 

Weft and Warp

Senior Member
I'd been making the liquid version for years (storing it in a 5 gallon bucket). But for the last 2 years now, I've been making the dry version ---so much quicker! I even add oxyclean to each batch. Even though Fels Naptha has a perfume it really isn't overpowering in the laundry--my perfume sensitive son tolerates it much better than any store bought perfume...er, I mean store bought laundry detergent.
 

naturallysweet

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I just made a batch of the dry version. For me, the budget savings are only part of it. Sure I'm broke and really can't afford good laundry detergent. But I also have super sensitive skin.

I simply can't stand to get rashes in those 'sensitive areas', after using store bought detergent to wash my clothes.
 

Jakk

Contributing Member
I too use the same recipe to make a ton of liquid soap. I can't tell you how many times my dogs have almost knocked over the big white bucket on their way outside. This would be WONDERFUL!
 

DustyOpal

Contributing Member
I always made the version with the 5 gallon bucket, but just tried this a couple of weeks ago. It works just as well and takes up less space. The mason jar did not work on my blender. :(
 

willowwind

Contributing Member
Thanks! I'll be copying this down and trying it.

willowwind use the fels naptha straight and a scrub brush on those grass stains and the throw in the laundry to wash

Thanks I do this but the lazyer/don't have much time version :) I just keep a bar of fels naptha in a sock and a cup of water by the washer and dip the soap in the water and rub on the spots,seems to work for me so far. I love fels naptha,has saved me many pairs of pants for the boys.
 

BREWER

Veteran Member
Posted for fair use and discussion.
http://www.theorganicprepper.ca/the-dangerous-chemicals-lurking-in-your-laundry-soap-12282013

The Dangerous Chemicals Lurking in Your Laundry Soap
Posted by: Daisy Luther | on December 28, 2013

laundry

by Dr. David Juan

via Natural Blaze

You wear your clothes every day and probably take great pains to keep a number of different outfits ready for any occasion.

You’ve likely invested time and effort into making sure your clothes fit properly and look good when you put them on.

It’s kind of odd then, that most of us pay little attention to what we clean our clothes with.

There are commercial laundry soaps galore on store shelves and each assures that it does the best job when it comes to getting clothes clean. But what these soaps are also full of is chemicals. The average laundry soap has a number of harmful substances in it that could potentially enter into your skin when you wear clothes that retain some of these chemicals. As for the air you breathe, some estimates peg the number of VOCs that can be released into the air when using commercial laundry soaps or dryer sheets in excess of 25.

There is a way you can reduce your exposure to the chemicals in laundry soap and that is to try to buy products made without these harmful chemicals. Alternately, you can use some all-natural, time-honored soap recipes that you can make yourself right in the comfort of your own home.

When buying laundry soap from the grocery store, you can be sure that a product labeled with a dozen warnings is probably not going to be good for your skin or the environment. Instead, look for products with the fewest toxicity warnings. Buy products scented with natural essential oils instead of artificial fragrance.

Avoid using chlorine bleach to whiten clothes. Instead, try borax. Borax is made from sodium borate, a mineral that occurs naturally in the environment. Sodium borate contains sodium, boron, oxygen and water. You can add a 1/2 cup of borax to regular detergent to help remove stains and brighten whites and colors. Use borax in small amounts as it too can be harmful in large amounts.

Try adding white vinegar to your rinse cycle. White vinegar is great for fighting odors and preventing mold and mildew. White vinegar also brightens clothes and can be used as a fabric softener. NOTE: Don’t combine vinegar with bleach as it creates a toxic chlorine vapor.

Here’s a homemade recipe you can create from scratch. Add 11 cups of washing soda to 15 cups of baking soda. Mix in seven cups of castile soap and three tablespoons of essential oil (such as lavender or lemon). This recipe should get you through months of doing laundry.

Here’s one more laundry trick. Avoid taking your clothes to the dry cleaners after a single use. Fill a spray bottle with inexpensive vodka and spot spray clothing (check for color fastness first). Alcohol kills the bacteria that can lead to odors.

There you have it: all the information you need to create a healthier and more-environmentally friendly laundry soap. Your clothes will appreciate it and your body will too. As for the environment, you may not be able to see the impact first hand, but you will be contributing to less pollution in the air and water.

Sources:

Hollender, J., et al., “Natural, Homemade Laundry Soaps, Mother Earth News web site, July 14, 2011; http://www.motherearthnews.com/natural-health/natural-laundry-soap-ze0z11zhir.aspx, last accessed Dec. 10, 2013.
Lozanova, S., “Toxic Laundry Ingredients to Avoid,” Mother Earth News, April, 2012; http://www.motherearthliving.com/he...undry-detergent-ingredients-zmez12mazmel.aspx, last accessed Dec. 12, 2013.

This article “The Dangerous Chemicals Lurking in Your Laundry Soap” was originally published on DoctorsHealthPress, visit their site to access their vast database of articles and the latest information in natural health.

David Juan, MD has a distinguished reputation as an authority on nutrition, vitamin D and calcium metabolism, hormones, and medical research. His 30 years of clinical experience, 12 years of medical school teaching experience, and medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania give Dr. Juan a leading edge in his expertise. He is well versed in both traditional and alternative medicine and has written and researched breakthrough papers on a variety of medical subjects. Dr. Juan is currently on the staff of a holistic pain relief center in San Francisco and he lends his experience to The Vitamin Doctor.
Note from Daisy:

Another natural laundry solution is a liquid made from soap nuts, which are hard, dried little berries from the tropics. You can learn more about soap nuts HERE. They are hypoallergenic and budget friendly.
 

twincougars

Deceased
Or try this version (I hope the attached .pdf file comes through)
 

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