Old part-timer - the laundry soap recipe
Posted By: pennywise on 2008-10-25
In Reply to:
I found this online and it's the closest to my own recipe. It also includes the directions and the pricing comparisons included are also very similar to prices in my area.
The only difference is, in my part of the country, Arm & Hammer wash soda isn't common on the store shelves and I have to order it online.
Since one of the kiddos is sensitive to perfumes, I will sometimes divide part of one batch into a couple of smaller bottles and add a drop or two of lavender essential oils just for the master bathroom towels and bedsheets.
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How I make my own laundry soap. . sm
The basic ingredients are Borax, Washing Soda, and Fels Naptha. You could also use Ivory soap instead of the Fels Naptha. I also use the Fels Naptha to get out stains by wetting the fabric and rubbing the Fels Naptha directly on the stain.
I really like the laundry soap, but it did take a little while to get used to it. It doesn't make hardly any suds and I was worried about whether or not it was doing a good job of cleaning. My DH is very picky, especially about laundry soap. I didn't even tell him I was making my own soap, and he didn't notice! I do put a little bleach (about 2 tablespoons) in with my towels because they never smelled fresh. I had to do this even when I used Tide or Era. We have well water, and our water has an odor sometimes. When I first started using this laundry soap, I would only use it for clothes that weren't heavily soiled. I gradually started using it for everything when I realized that it was doing a pretty good job. It is fun to make and so cheap.
I hope it is okay to post links on this website. This is where I got my recipe- http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/laundrysoap.htm
How many of you are making the homemade laundry soap?
I just did this week and I love it. Its going to save so much on laundry detergent. I'm very happy with the results.
HOMEMADE LAUNDRY DETERGENT
Ingredients:
3.1 oz bar Ivory soap or 2 regular bar sizes(Ivory is chosen because it's all natural. You may use a soap of your choice)
1 cup 20 Mule Team Borax
½ cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda or Baking Soda (I used baking soda since I couldn't find the washing soda)
Water
Tools:
5 Gallon container
Knife
Pot large enough to hold 5 cups of water
Long stirring stick/spoon (for 5 gallon container)
Instructions:
Shave the soap into small strips or grate it up finely with a grater and place in the pot with 5 cups of water. Bring the water just shy of a boil and stir until the soap is completely melted. When the soap is just about melted, pour 3 gallons of hot water into the 5-gallon container and let it sit until the soap in the pot is totally melted. Once all of the soap shavings are melted, pour the mixture into the 5-gallon container and stir.
Once the soap and water are thoroughly stirred, add the ½ cup pf washing soda and stir until dissolved. Once the washing soda is dissolved, pour in the cup of borax and stir again until dissolved.
***You can add essential oil flavors for the smell but I prefer without.
I have been making my own laundry soap. It only costs me about $10 for a 6-month supply. nm
xx
neither cj nor Old Part-Timer said single
people were in unhappy. In fact, Old Part-Timer said just the opposite. What cj was referring to was the person above, who was in a "loveless" marriage. That has nothing to do with the things you're spouting off. If you want to ring in on the subject, by all means do so, but please post your response where it belongs (in this case under the original post) and stop trying to argue with someone who isn't even on the same subject as you.
They're both talking about being married to someone and not wanting to be. You're arguing about why someone needs to be married. Are you a McCain supporter, by chance?
Agree with old part-timer
what's done is done. Is it worth the argument? He won't understand. Get it back, talk to him and let him know next time you would appreciate if he asked you first or asked them to come back when you are home. I would even ask him how he would like you to proceed which such a request of his things in his absence. He may not admit it but I bet he'll think about it later.
If you are going to argue about something, make sure its worth the strain on your marriage.
I use a timer
so My mom got me into this... when I was home visiting she sat a timer in front of me so I couldn't search the internet until I worked a full hour, or 30 or 45 minutes, whichever I chose. Then I could search for a little while... and then right back to turning the timer on. Maybe you could get up and walk around, or watch some TV or something in your break time. It sounds silly and childish, but it actually works. I'll tell you what thogh, some days are just BAD. I promised myself to try to earn $100.00 every day... I was doing great the first three days of the month and now today im worn out. LOL. plus i blame it on politics and me wanting to follow that stuff... and discovering this board... etc.
I hope it gets better for you! and I am not a morning person AT ALL, but if you went to bed earlier do you think it would help? It takes a little while to get on that schedule but im seriously in bed by like 10 and up at 6... i get tired in the middle of the day... but once i got past the first couple with no naps, im finding it easier to get up.
Good luck!
PS how come so many people view posts but only a few answer!?
We use a timer
We use a time like a few have mentioned here already and only keep them on for about 3 hours. If we didn't have kids we probably wouldn't do as much decorating as we do, but we go all out, and I could never do without lights just yet.
I'm a virgin, help a first timer out ..
BLACK FRIDAY Shopper's!!!!
Ive NEVER in my life shopped on Black Friday, it used to be of no interest, then it got interesting for awhile, but DH hated the idea and I dont shop without him unless I absolutely have to and/or dying to get out, and now the interest is back with DH on my side! So I am excited, or should I be frightened, is it a true mad house?
I need some tips and info. Do you have any tips for a 1st Timer??
What time do you get at the store? Do you have to get a coupon or something to be allowed IN? If so, where do you get these coupons?
What time do stores typically open? What times do they take the sale prices down, is it usually an all day thing, or an end at lunch type of thing?
And most important of all. I am a fan of the old fashioned way..... newspaper ads to see who has what deal. Where do you get this? Does it come out THIS Weekend or on Thanksgiving Day??
Thanks so much!!!! 
Anyone with a printer deskjet know why it prints a page with part of it dark and part of it light.
It is not printing uniformly.
It's not the dancing part, it's the people part that I don't like. K? We clear now?
k
Just did some laundry
Tonight just relaxing, my husband's making his famous chill. My daughter is having a friend over to watch a movie. Tomorrow a little work to do, but otherwise nothing special planned for this weekend.
Laundry
I am thinking about getting a clothes line and hanging clothes outside this summer. The only reason why I never have in the past is because I have numerous allergies and usually try to keep the "outside" out. With the cost of everything rising and after reading an article about the cost-saving/energy-saving of not running a dry cycle on your dishwasher and hanging clothes outside to dry I want to considering it. Does anyone here have allergies and hang their clothes outside? I am thinking that I could tumble them through the dryer before folding and that might help.
Laundry detergent
Do you have a specific laundry soap that you buy or just whatever's on sale?
Powder or liquid?
With bleach or not?
Looking for a new laundry scent...
I am currently using Gain - Mandarin Lime Fusion, which is awesome, but have been using it a while now and the smell is starting to fade. Taking a poll on your favorite scent...
Laundry Detergent
Simple Pleasures Lavender Vanilla (by Tide) - I buy the dryer sheets too. I love to smell it on my sheets! It doesn't really smell like lavender or vanilla, sort of a pleasant cross between the two, or something. They have one with roses too, which I love, but I don't care for the scent of that soap, it is too "off" or something. My husband doesn't even mind and he is a truck driver! He says the Lavender Vanilla smells pretty "fresh" and good. Lucky, because I would still use it and have to listen to him whine if he didn't like it! My little grandson likes it too and asks to have his jammas washed in it.
You go girl on the laundry....sm
both of our kids know to not even breathe to us that they have dirty clothes as they know how to use the washing machine & dryer and how to use them. It's up to them to do their laundry and clean their bathroom, not me!
Hang out your laundry if possible
Start hanging your wash out rather than using the dryer. It will save big, not those pennies they claim you'll save by unplugging your toaster. (By the way, my son, an electrical engineer, claims unplugging your toaster saves nothing. Unplugging a coffee maker if it has a clock does save a little.)
My little one did this, too! Took days of using laundry detergent to get rid of
s
Laundry - brightening whites
Over the weekend I went searching for bluing as discussed in the previous thread. No luck finding it so far but have a few more small, independently owned stores to check. However, I did find a whitening agent in the Rit dye section. A little pricey, $2.00 something for 1 load. It worked well on T-shirts and clothing but for some reason it did not seem to work on my towels. They were all in the same load I used a long cycle for it to soak also. I'll see how long the white T's last. Oh, I also have well water and a softener system if anyone is wondering. 
I keep mine in the laundry room also
I also have a fat kitty who LOVES to get in there and pretend he's at the beach. I keep a tiny dustpan and broom in there and probably sweep 3 times a day. Sometimes there will be a huge pile of cat litter. Considering he's an indoor kitty and can't seem to find anything else to do, I just let him be and ask him if he had fun!
make your own laundry detergent
Lots of different recipes out there for liquid and powdered.
I like the liquid but have a terrible time finding the Arm & Hammer wash SODA.
For Soap watchers
What soap opera do you watch regularly and how long have you been watching it?
Mine is AMC and I've been watching it from the beginning in 1970.
For the B&B soap watchers...
Does Brooke make you wanna pull her hair out??? She is disgustingly desperate...I cannot stand it! I'm rooting for Taylor and Nick, bump Brooke and Ridge...hope he goes to jail and she dries up!
Use Dove bar soap to get the Vaseline out.
My daughter got into a jar of Vaseline when she was two years old. My pediatrician suggested Dove bar soap. It worked like magic! Hope this helps.
With artificial soap and water??
s
With fake water and soap.
zxc
…Get off your soap box, we have heard how great
the man is, several times, wonderful for you- not EVERY person is the same, ok?
I used to LOVE soap with toys in it.
I think I had one when I was little called Fuzzy Wuzzy--or maybe I don't remember. (I'm 45 now.) But what a great thing to recreate.
Use every last drop of dish soap...sm
I don't have a dishwasher so I have to use liquid soap. I never throw the bottle away because I can't squeeze anymore out. When I'm running my next dishwater, I run water in the bottle and use every last drop. The cap even has enough residue on it for 1 load. Same goes for shampoo and conditioner. Even laundry soap.
I'll often use shampoo for body wash. If you use Suave or VO5 it's usually only .99 a bottle and when it's on sale for less than that I'll buy a few bottles. It's a lot cheaper than bodywash.
I try to do errands and appointments on the same day. Mapped out right so I save gas.
Never buy infant, toddler, preschool kids clothes brand new. Buy at thrift, second hand stores or garage sales. They outgrow them faster than the bank statement arrives. They also tend to stain and ruin clothes pretty darn easily and quickly.
I was off today and pretty much was a slug all day. I did 2 loads of laundry,
I never do that, but it sure felt good at the moment. Of course, tonight, I spent some time in the bathroom...what goes in, must come out I guess. 
I was wondering why no soaping with my new body soap
gosh, used it 2 days and on this 2nd day looked at the bottle and it is body lotion. That's what happens after you reach a certain age- those fine lines are more difficult to read.
Well, I got a cast list (not on Soap C) and she wasn't on it.
nm
i thought you wanted to talk about soap!
x
Ohh, Cetaphil, try their soap for dry and sensitive skin!
Wonderful products!
I put Dawn dish soap in the dishwasher
I did not realize laundry soap and dishwasher detergent do not make bubbles. I didn't have any dishwasher detergent so decided to just a few drops of Dawn. Suds came out of the top of the dishwasher and all over the kitchen. For a few drops, it filled the kitchen. You would think it would be easy to clean up but it was terrible. Soap suds can't just be mopped up, especially when they are 3 inches tall. lol
The love of my life does all the cleaning, cooking, laundry, shopping etc..
He even has decorated the house with Christmas villages, lights etc.., wrapped all the presents, even his own..LOL (I did put them in brown boxes). I'm sorry but I sit here all day working..he can do something. I know how lucky I am. Going from being a single mom to this has been heaven. For every dream I had, it was answered by him. I shouldn't brag..but...last year he took me on 3 cruises..and it just never stops. So kudos to all of you who have a wonderful man in your life. Lord knows they are few and far in between..
My ex-husband worked at Bellsouth and it was like a soap opera. Not
xx
Don't mix soap/lotion/personal care with food. nm
x
Billy Mays, doing ads for soap, just found dead
At age 50, my goodness. This week has without a doubt been one for the books. They said Billy Mays on flight that landed yesterday and as it did blew out tire in front. He was hit on head but stated he was alright. They found him dead this morning around 7 something.
Basically stick to a schedule. Laundry is only "housework" while I"m working. Keep calls sh
s
I keep it in the office part time and on the patio part time
I've got the self-cleaning electric litter box (and boy is it worth the $100), and have a huge throw rug under it with a smaller rug by the litter pan that has a bumpy mat on top of it to catch the excess. I keep it in the office from April to October but on the patio from October to March as it is too hot in FL to leave the patio door open for them during the summer months. I also put out a spare box when we go out of town for the weekend.
Try a box that has deeper sides maybe, or not as much litter in it?
Recipe
I love this and you can use a variety of types of yogurts/berries.
Frozen Yogurt
An 8-ounce container of yogurt (I uses Dannon Light)
An 8-ounce container of cool whip (Lite or Low-Fat)
A package of berries (no sugar added).
Mix all together and freeze in a pie plate or cake pan. I mostly use strawberries and strawberry yogurt, and now they even have strawberry cool whip, but not lite or fat-free.
For other company, I sometimes add in some Splenda to sweeten the berries, or put in a graham cracker crust.
You could also make sugar free chocolate pudding, and mix in cool whip. Stir together and put in parfait cups with a shot of Reddi Whip on top. This is always a fun treat.
Sorry it is late in coming but, hopefully, you can use in the future as well.
SIL's recipe....
It sounds like your SIL is just the ticket!!!!
I've seen other recipes that are quite similar, and people have raved no end. But, in these recipes the meat cooks for a much, much, much shorter length of time.
I'm sure they're just as wonderful as the cooks and their dinner guests swear, but I've been rather stuck and quite stubborn on "my" recipe.
So, tell your SIL: Help!...Dinner is this weekend and my co-host and I were hoping to go shopping today, tomorrow at the verylatest.
Why I'm stuck on this one, I don't know, but Lord how I remember that taste, that smell!
Thanks so much!
need a recipe!
Does anyone have an easy recipe for a yummy, ooey, gooey cream cheese pastry that they'd like to share? Thanks!! 
no recipe but
Try going to allrecipes.com and see if you can find one there for that! Do you want hamburger beef or real like beefsteak? Just buy some refried beans in a can, some tortillas, fry up some burger and add some burrito seasoning or salsa and wrap them up! Add a bit of sour cream and black olives, the works on top..oh I'm getting hungry now!
Bonappetite!
recipe help
Anyone have a good easy recipe for cornbread dressing? My mom has always made it, but I 'm making everything this year and want to use something other than hers to surprise her!
My BBQ recipe...sm
I brown 1 lb hamburger with a couple of tablespoons of green pepper and onion. Then add 3/4 cup ketchup, 1 tablespoon mustard, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons vinegar, and 3 drops of liquid smoke. Simmer covered for about 20 minutes on low. You can add a little water if it gets too thick. If you don't like it to be sweet, cut down on the brown sugar. Sometimes I use left over roast instead of the hamburger.
Another recipe
I use 1 small can of tomatoes, whole or chopped but without seasoning, 1/2 green bell pepper, 1/4 onion, 2 cloves of garlic (or powder in a pinch), 1 packet of salsa seasoning mix from the grocery store (I haven't found one that I don't like), and if I have it I add a little lime juice (about 1 tablespoon of juice) and a tablespoon of dried cilantro. Add hot sauce or jalepenos if you like. You can chop it as chunky or smooth as you like using food processor or blender. We like it fairly smooth.
I keep the chopped onions and bell peppers in the freezer so I always have them and the seasoning mixes go on sale a couple times a year at the grocery store (3/$1) and I stock up on those. This is always what I am asked to bring to parties and gatherings. For some reason even kids who don't like salsa like it - haven't found a kid yet who doesn't like it. It's great because I can keep everything on hand and it takes about 5 minutes to make.
There is a recipe
on the side of the Hershey's Cocoa container. It is simple and a great recipe! I'm sure you could add your own chocolate chips, chunks, or shavings to make it extra special. Maybe even some Andees mint shavings to make it peppermint, yum!
Recipe for you!
Buckeyes
2 cups peanut butter
1 stick margarine, melted
3 cups sifted confectioners sugar
16 ounces chocolate chips
1/3 bar paraffin wax
In a large bowl combine the peanut butter, margarine and confectioners sugar and mix well. Chill, form into walnut size balls. Melt chocolate chips and paraffin in a double boiler. Dip balls into chocolate mixture to coat. Place on wax paper until firm.
Recipe
Could someone share the recipe for these? Thanks.
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