WFMW

For my first Works for Me Wednesday I thought I'd share my laundry soap recipe. It's cheap, quick and easy to make, cleans well, and it's probably better for the environment, too! It's a very basic recipe, but I find a lot of people have never even thought to make their own laundry detergent!

You will need a 2 gallon bucket with a lid to store it in.

• 1/3 of a bar of castille soap (I prefer a scented Dr. Bronner's, though I've also used Fels Naptha in a pinch)
• 1/2 C washing soda (NOT baking soda!!)
• 1/2 C borax
• lots of water

Grate the soap (I have an old grater I use just for this) and put it in a large sauce pan with six cups of water. Heat, stirring, until the soap has melted. Add the washing soda and the borax and stir till dissolved. Remove from heat. Add 4 cups of water to the bucket. Then, add the soap mixture and stir. Add enough water to get within a few inches of the top of the bucket (about 1 gallon + 6 cups of water) and stir well. Let it stand for 24 hours before using. The soap will be gel-like and a little odd looking, but it works! *Use 1/2 c for each wash*

I've been using homemade laundry soap for a few years now. I use it on everything, including cloth diapers! It saves a lot of money, especially when you have a larger family.