So we ran out of laundry soap the other day (isn't this how this entire thing got started?). I had been reading some of the Duggar (duggarfamily.com) posts and recipes and saw their version of liquid laundry soap. It's slightly different than the one we have been using since last summer (AKA - less ingredients = cheaper) so I figured I would give it a try.
I pulled out my gear and gave it a whirl and so far so good. It's easier to make than mine (only by a step but still) and took less time - BONUS. Basically - in their recipe, you don't add the washing soda and borax to the boiling water (dissolve it in hot tap water) and as soon as the soap is melted, you add it to the bucket of water, stir and let sit.
After the "let sit" phase, I mixed it up with my handy-dandy hand-blender and made a conscious decision NOT to continue with their version of the recipe. The consistency of the soap was slightly thinner than mine and I didn't want watery soap (which I would have gotten if I added the next 5 gallons of water that they do).
Currently I have 5 gallons of soap which is still more than my recipe and I've done a few loads and I really like it. PLUS, so far at least, it doesn't appear to separate the the old stuff.
for comparison....
Original version = $0.02/load (makes 96 loads at 1/2 cup each)
The new version = $0.007/load (makes 332 loads at 1/2 cup each)
INSERT NOTE......I have had a draft blog regarding updates to my cost comparisons that I have still yet to post.....In October, I was down in the US and was able to pick up Fels Naptha soap for $1.39 - I grabbed 4 bars!!. I am NOT paying $7 or more to get that stuff shipped to Canada!!
Liquid Laundry Detergent - Version 2
Ingredients and Tools
1 bar fels naptha soap, grated
1/2 cup borax
1 cup washing soda
Directions
Grate the bar of soap
Bring 4 cups of water to a boil on the stove and add the grated soap. Simmer and stir until all soap pieces are melted
fill the 5 gallon bucket to the half-way point with hot tap water (approx 30-40 cups of water)
add the borax and washing soda, stir until dissolved
pour the soap mixture into the bucket of hot tap water, stir to mix
fill the bucket with hot tap water.
cover and let sit overnight to cool and gel
mix thoroughly.
mix thoroughly.
Yield
5 gallons
Cost Breakdown
Fels Naptha Bar Soap ($1.39/bar) = $1.39
Borax ($4.99/2kg) = $0.25/1/2 cup
Washing Soda ($7.29/3kg) = $0.58/1 cup
Total - $2.22 per batch
= $0.44 per gallon
= 332 loads at 1/2 cup per load
= $0.007 per load! <-------ARE YOU FRICKIN KIDDING ME!!!! That's amazing!!!!
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