Laundry Soap Update

Two years ago I made my first batch of homemade laundry soap. I felt so good at trying to save our family $$ by making a product that is quite pricey. The first batch I added an essential oil to help with the scent. After the first, I didn't add any because I loved the clean scent from the Fels Naptha.

The last batch I made in January, I added Purex Crystals. You can read about it HERE. Two weeks ago, when we had temperatures hitting close to the 110 mark, my husband asked me about the weird smell in his work clothes. At first, the thought crossed my mind was the possibility of them souring in the washer within just a little while after the wash cycle was over. I checked the clothes in the closet, thinking that I was going to smell it. Actually, it was the Purex Crystals scent. I checked my bucket and found where the crystals had settled at the bottom and since I didn't think to stir the last little bit, the liquid crystals overpowered the soap. If you've added any scent booster to your liquid soap, be sure to give your bucket a stir every once in a while.

Within the two years of making my own soap, I bought detergent one time. A local grocery store had a huge sale on detergent. I was able to get 2 (100 oz) bottles for $6.00, which was cheaper than buying the Borax and Washing Soda that I needed at the time. I knew as soon as I started using the store bought detergent, I was not happy. Needless to say, as soon as I used up all the store bought, I quickly purchased my Borax and Washing Soda and made a batch.

There are tons of reviews on the internet about homemade laundry soap. Many are good, while some are bad.  Funny, how a lot of the bad reviews are for recipes that call for baking soda and using any bath soap. Leave the baking soda out! You don't need it. Bath soap has added oils and moisturizers for the skin. Really, you don't want to add any oils or moisturizers to your clothes. I highly recommend using a true laundry soap like Fels Naptha.

We have been on well water for just over a year and honestly, I believe our clothes are holding together longer than when we were on city water. I also think the well water washes a lot better. For now, homemade laundry soap is where the savings are for our family.