Help with make your own laundry detergent

megs_glo

So I am trying to make my own laundry detergent.  I am trying to do a powder version.  How do you grind up your soap?  I only have a small mini food processor I am using and it is taking me 6 minutes to do a bar (that includes the time it takes me to cut up the bar of soap before putting it in the food processor).  My recipe is calling for 22 bars of soap, so that is a long time.

 Any advice would be greatly appreciated - Thanks!

CDMay2006

I haven't done it, but when i've heard (read) others talk about it, i think they've used a grater.  If your food processor has one (probably not, since it's the small kind), try that, otherwise you might find a cheese grater to be faster.  Good luck!

doglove

22 bars of soap? How much detergent are you making?? I use a cheese grater and use this recipe:

1 bar of soap

1/2 cup of borax

1/2 cup of washing soda

When I make the recipe, I usually make it times 6 or 8 so I have a good amount for the next few months. This amount usually lasts us about three months doing 5-6 loads of laundry a week. It takes me about a half hour to grate the 6 soaps.

AmandaJLewis

What type of soap are you ladies using?  I am considering making the switch myself.  Thank you!

Lady*Timot

I use fels naptha.  That's crazy 22 bars?!

I follow the above posters recipe and I add oxy to mine too.

I usually cut the soap into smaller pieces the night before to help it dry out because it's a  pretty moist soap.  I also have a small food processor.  Adding some of the oxy or washing soda helps to cut the moisture so it doesn't gum up the blades.

doglove

I use dove sensitive skin. Dr. Bronner's has a good baby soap as well. Sometimes we add essential oils to give it some smell and baking soda to the white/light laundry.

AmandaJLewis

Is fels naptha considered "green"?  I currently use 7th generation, free and clear. My daughter has eczema and I don't want to switch to something that may irritate her skin more.

doglove

What about this? (Mentioned above in my previous post)

http://www.drbronner.com/DBMS/OBBA05/BabyMildOrganicBarSoap.htm

http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Bronners-Pure-Castile-Unscented-Baby-Mild/dp/B001F0RA8E/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1284134161&sr=8-2

CDMay2006

AmandaJLewis:

Is fels naptha considered "green"?  I currently use 7th generation, free and clear. My daughter has eczema and I don't want to switch to something that may irritate her skin more.

I'd try dr. bronner's bar soap.  You can get it at trader joes and co-ops.

AmandaJLewis

Thank you!  That might just be gentle enough for her!

Lady*Timot

Anything with a scent might not be right for you.

Really if your concerned about "being REALLY green" you prob shouldn't make your own due to the borax too.

(really I'm splitting hairs but whatevs)

It's not a 100% all natural soap but it's better then using a commercial product.  (with the exception of 7th generation and the like).

It works for me.  I tried using Ivory before and I didn't like the way it cleaned my clothes. 

Poonico

What I do is use a heavy knife to cut it up a bit, run it through the food processor and then lay it on cookie sheets (it took 3 I think) and let it dry for a day.  The next day I ran it back through and it turned to dust, it was fantastic!

I have a recipe on the blog that has an option that calls for the whole case of Fels Naptha (24 bars) and while it is a bit of work, once it's done you have enough detergent to last a very long time.  It's personal preference.  I'd rather spend minimally more time up front than have to make it more times.

AmyLane542010

I can not for the life of me find washing soda. I live in a fairly small town and my wal-mart, and the two major grocery stores dont have it. Theres not anything like a fresh market or a whole foods or hell even a target out here.  What is the nit pick issue between washing soda and baking soda?? One is sodium carbonate and the other is sodium Bicarbonate. They both raise alkaline levels, take away smells, disolve in water and so on... The only difference when dissolved in water is one has a positively charged hydrogen ion and the other doesnt. SO since they are both used to clean pools and in house hold cleaners would it work just as well??