Wash day: Making my own laundry soap. *Picture Heavy*

[congochris]

Want to try this myself, only one problem. My wife is allergic to something in Tide laundry soap, it makes her break out in hives, so we have to use All. I can't even tell you what chemical it is, but does anyone have a clue if this recipe would affect her the same way?

The homemade stuff is literally three ingredients. I sincerely doubt she'll be allergic to it.

Wife's allergies FTL! Fels-naptha seems to be a no-go. Hooray for citrus allergies, and allergies to wool, lanolin, and other animal based products. Next batch, we try Ivory. Until then, we now have ten gallons worth (plus a spare bar of fels-naptha) that only anotheroldfart and my mother can use. I so want to use Irish Spring, but I think I'd be outvoted.

[Pondo_Sinatra]

Want to try this myself, only one problem. My wife is allergic to something in Tide laundry soap, it makes her break out in hives, so we have to use All. I can't even tell you what chemical it is, but does anyone have a clue if this recipe would affect her the same way?

The homemade stuff is literally three ingredients. I sincerely doubt she'll be allergic to it.

Wife's allergies FTL! Fels-naptha seems to be a no-go. Hooray for citrus allergies, and allergies to wool, lanolin, and other animal based products. Next batch, we try Ivory. Until then, we now have ten gallons worth (plus a spare bar of fels-naptha) that only anotheroldfart and my mother can use. I so want to use Irish Spring, but I think I'd be outvoted.

Then you might want to give one of the Castile soaps a shot, unless she's allergic to vegetable (Coconut) oil.

From Kirk's website:

What are the ingredients in Kirk's bar soap?

Coconut Oil, Soap of Coconut, Vegetable Glycerin and Water. Kirk's bar is made by a centuries-old, time honored process by mixing coconut oil with caustic soda. Caustic soda is made from sea salt. Coconut oil is thus converted to coconut soap, which is technically called sodium cocoate. During the process of making coconut soap, glycerin is also produced since glycerin is a part of natural coconut oil. This glycerin is left in Kirk's soap to give moisturization properties and make it less harsh to skin compared to other commercial soaps in which this natural glycerin is removed by a chemical separation process. Kirk's soap is the most natural process soap made in the USA today.

(Allergies suck).

[airexurb]

I went to walmart last weekend....no dice. They had zote, but nothing else. So I went to target...the had borax, but nothing else!

Someone mentioned kroger, and our local grocery store is owned by them, so I'll check there. This is beginning to feel like a scavenger hunt.

[Towanda]

Farm-and-fleet type stores or feed stores might also have Kirk's, washing soda, and borax. Trader Joe's sells something ver similar to Kirk's. Crunchy-hippie food co-ops are also likely to carry it. Google says that Cracker Barrel stores also carry Kirk's. Plain old Ivory will also work. I plan on making the dry version of this soap pretty soon.

Dry version recipe:

2 parts grated soap
1 part borax
1 part washing soda

Another question: I am seriously looking at getting something like a Wonder Wash hand-crank washing machine to do my own laundry in my apartment. Would this kind of soap work well in one of those?

I've also read of people doing their own laundry with a brand new, laundry-dedicated plunger and a 5-gallon bucket with a lid. You make a hole in the lid for the plunger handle and use it as an agitator for the clothes. I have plenty of kitty litter buckets which would work very well for that. Anyone have any experience with plunger laundry?

[airexurb]

Another question: I am seriously looking at getting something like a Wonder Wash hand-crank washing machine to do my own laundry in my apartment. Would this kind of soap work well in one of those?

I've also read of people doing their own laundry with a brand new, laundry-dedicated plunger and a 5-gallon bucket with a lid. You make a hole in the lid for the plunger handle and use it as an agitator for the clothes. I have plenty of kitty litter buckets which would work very well for that. Anyone have any experience with plunger laundry?

This thing is kinda like your wonder wash thing (which I desperately want. I want clean clothes if our power goes out after a while) and while slightly more expensive, this page has more info. I don't see why you couldn't use this laundry soap.

[Towanda]

This thing is kinda like your wonder wash thing (which I desperately want. I want clean clothes if our power goes out after a while) and while slightly more expensive, this page has more info. I don't see why you couldn't use this laundry soap.

Wonder Wash and Wonder Clean appear to be the two most popular brands of small hand-crank washers. Then there's the Rapid Washer, which is a metal plunger thingy specifically designed for washing clothes in a bucket. I'm a little concerned about rust, though, since the Rapid Washer is made of tin-plated steel.

Thing is, a 5-gallon bucket and a plunger is a lot less expensive than a Wonder Wash-type washer, which would leave me more money to get some kind of wringer or extractor. I have not yet found a wringer for under $100. I've read that 5-gallon salad spinners work well as extractors.

[HITMAN13]

the plunger method works pretty good. Used to do it at scout camp. best way to do it (IMO) is with a 5 gallon arrowhead bottle.

[Sirena]

I've been really interested in making my own detergent and getting one of those crank washing machines. Many local apartments that aren't insanely expensive don't come with washing machines or dryers.

As for buckets, if you live near a Dunkin Donuts, stop in and ask for an empty glaze or icing bucket. I work there now and we constantly have empty buckets. They're really heavy duty and the glaze bucket looks to be the same size as the bucket used in the tutorial. I'll check at work tonight, I can't off handed remember how many gallons it holds, just the weight.

[Towanda]

I've been really interested in making my own detergent and getting one of those crank washing machines. Many local apartments that aren't insanely expensive don't come with washing machines or dryers.

As for buckets, if you live near a Dunkin Donuts, stop in and ask for an empty glaze or icing bucket. I work there now and we constantly have empty buckets. They're really heavy duty and the glaze bucket looks to be the same size as the bucket used in the tutorial. I'll check at work tonight, I can't off handed remember how many gallons it holds, just the weight.

Alas, there are no Dunkin' Donuts stores in Madison. There are very few donut shops here at all, and no chains. However, I do have a cat, which means I have a steady supply of yellow kitty litter buckets. I think a 38-lb kitty litter bucket with a hole in the lid will make a fine plunger-wash bucket. I just moved to an apartment without a washer/dryer and the machines in the building cost $1.75 per wash load and $1.50 for an hour of dryer time. Once I get my hands on a 5-gallon salad spinner so I won't have to wring everything out by hand, I'll be good to go.

I also spotted 78-oz boxes of borax for $2.99 at Target today, in the same aisle with Clorox bleach.

[Resolute]

For everyone planning on making their own laundry soap but can't find the ingredients, I found a site that sells everything you need.

http://www.soapsgonebuy.com/

I can't take credit for finding this out myself. I got it in a newsletter that related a similar recipe to me. I don't know how this site's soaps compare in price to what's in your area, but it's at least worth a look.

Enjoy!

[Pondo_Sinatra]

For everyone planning on making their own laundry soap but can't find the ingredients, I found a site that sells everything you need.

http://www.soapsgonebuy.com/

I can't take credit for finding this out myself. I got it in a newsletter that related a similar recipe to me. I don't know how this site's soaps compare in price to what's in your area, but it's at least worth a look.

Enjoy!

Thanks for the link. Prices aren't too bad, IMO. And I see they sell pre-grated bags of Fels Naptha, too, and bags of Fels Naptha, Borax, and washing soda ready to go. Interesting.

(And they make Lifebuoy in Trinidad? Learn something new every day.)

[EECHAY]

Probably a dumb question, but is this soap biodegradable?

[spchtr]

I've been thinking about trying something out. If I was to take one of those 5 gallon buckets, put my laundry in it, with hot soapy water. Then hang it from the ceiling, with a loop of rope, and then a loop of rope hanging below it. With the end of a board in the bottom of the lower loop, then spin the bucket around a few times, and work the board like a treadle. Do you suppose something like this would work for a simple home made washing machine? I'd still need to dump out the soapy water and replace with rince water a couple of times, then have another bucket with holes all over it for the "spin cycle". But I'm thinking it'll work ok.

[ZombieGranny]

Who would be lifting it? Cause I'm telling you, it'll be heavy. The person responsible for doing the lifting, will need to be the one responsible for the laundry... Please, no setting things up so wifey must nag hubby all the time.
It probably would work; I've read of folks putting them in the back of the pickup and driving to town, putting the rinse water in and driving home again.
There's the plunger method in the buckets, that some have had luck with.
We used to clean clothes in a tub, stomping them like making grapes into wine. It was a great relief to get a wringer washer, even if the darn things did try to smash fingers all the time.

[Gunny]

Probably a dumb question, but is this soap biodegradable?

Sorry mate, I have no idea.

[Gunny]

I've been thinking about trying something out. If I was to take one of those 5 gallon buckets, put my laundry in it, with hot soapy water. Then hang it from the ceiling, with a loop of rope, and then a loop of rope hanging below it. With the end of a board in the bottom of the lower loop, then spin the bucket around a few times, and work the board like a treadle. Do you suppose something like this would work for a simple home made washing machine? I'd still need to dump out the soapy water and replace with rince water a couple of times, then have another bucket with holes all over it for the "spin cycle". But I'm thinking it'll work ok.

You've reinvented the wheel and have made it square.

Get a tub, a rub board, some soap, a little water, and a clothes line and I think it'll work much better. You're counting on the motion of the water to wash your stains out, but from my understanding, the agitator in washers does most of the productive work.

[EECHAY]

I've been thinking about trying something out. If I was to take one of those 5 gallon buckets, put my laundry in it, with hot soapy water. Then hang it from the ceiling, with a loop of rope, and then a loop of rope hanging below it. With the end of a board in the bottom of the lower loop, then spin the bucket around a few times, and work the board like a treadle. Do you suppose something like this would work for a simple home made washing machine? I'd still need to dump out the soapy water and replace with rince water a couple of times, then have another bucket with holes all over it for the "spin cycle". But I'm thinking it'll work ok.

You've reinvented the wheel and have made it square.

Get a tub, a rub board, some soap, a little water, and a clothes line and I think it'll work much better. You're counting on the motion of the water to wash your stains out, but from my understanding, the agitator in washers does most of the productive work.

You are correct it's the agitation. Set it up like a butter churn and you'll get your agitation. My sister's living mostly off the grid and she suggested a half barrel with an agitator hooked up to an old exercise bike. Just pedal along and then [i]wring[i] the water out after you rinse a couple of times.Either line dry out side or in your garage. A rain barrel with a filter is more than good enough to supply you with clean enough water to wash yer grubs.

[ZMace]

I finally found some washing soda locally and made up the dry version (listed in the first post). I like the idea of keeping the same amount of soap in a quart jar, verses a 5 gallon bucket plus another container to mix it in. The powder also does not need mixing every time you need it, provided you get it fine enough in the first place (I used a blender).

[whisk.e.rebellion]

A question first: Will Arm & Hammer "Super" Washing Soda work? I can't find what the difference between "super" and regular are.

Nevermind the above. I'm a dolt. I looked at Gunny's pics and answered my own question...

Secondly, it looks like a lot of people -- myself included -- have had a hard time finding washing soda. If you don't want to pay $9 shipping for a $3 product and have an ACE Hardware nearby, ACE offers free shipping to stores.

http://www.acehardware.com/product/inde ... Id=3549579

[lawless]

I'm bookmarking this for future use. Thanks Gunny.

[Cavediver]

A question first: Will Arm & Hammer "Super" Washing Soda work? I can't find what the difference between "super" and regular are.

Nevermind the above. I'm a dolt. I looked at Gunny's pics and answered my own question...

Secondly, it looks like a lot of people -- myself included -- have had a hard time finding washing soda. If you don't want to pay $9 shipping for a $3 product and have an ACE Hardware nearby, ACE offers free shipping to stores.

http://www.acehardware.com/product/inde ... Id=3549579

Huh. Washing Soda and Borax are available in every grocery store in my area (suburbs of Atlanta). The Fels-Naptha bar was the hardest thing to find. I finally found one at Publix and have started the shredding process. I think I'm going to dump it into the food processor this weekend.

[zombiesean]

i just washed a load with the soap i made word pretty good. i found it all at publix it seems that the local chain stores carry it but the big ones like wal mart or target dont

[leadpulaski]

I heard about this awhile ago then my wife brought it up to me when the nurse at her work began selling the stuff. She got the recipe out of the nurse with a promise of not selling it at work

Right now we're sitting on all of the ingredients minus the bar soap, it was all actually very easy to find locally. Maybe I'll head to town tomorrow and we can get this party started. I am all about anything that saves us money.

Something I picked up at another forum was, go to the thrift store and pick up a cheap pot, wooden spoon and cheese grader. Set these items aside and use them exclusively for making detergent.

[EricinVirginia]

Wife did this about 2 years ago. Price ended up being like $0.03/load for the detergent. It had zero smell, which I loved. But, she hated that there wasn't a fresh scent and went back to the store stuff.