Here it is:
BORAX
WASHING SODA
ZOTE SOAP
& OXYCLEAN (or, rather, the Dollar Tree version)
Here's the deal. I couldn't find FELS NAPTHA at the Kroger here (although the one I used for my first batch was purchased at Kroger, so maybe I'll ask them to order it?), so I decided to see if I could find the other soap that is commonly mentioned in the detergent recipes: ZOTE SOAP.You may be able to find it at your local grocery store, but I had to go to a Mexican store (the soap is made in Mexico) to find mine. It cost $1 and they only had pink (the company that makes Zote Soap also makes a white bar), which is kind of fun, right? Pink soap!
The basic instructions are the same as before:
Grate the soap
I found that the Zote Soap--while softer--also took longer to grate. It seemed to me to be at least two times the size as the Fels Naptha. I tried a few different graters.
After the initial grating, the Zote Soap makes quite a bit more than the Fels Naptha. The catch? It's not as dry.
So--DAY 1: Grate the soap
DAY 2: Dry the soap
I had mine spread out on 6 different surfaces. I don't think you have to lay it out in such thin layers (when my Mom did Zote, she just put it all out to dry in 1 pan and turned it randomly during the day).
I had mine spread out on 6 different surfaces. I don't think you have to lay it out in such thin layers (when my Mom did Zote, she just put it all out to dry in 1 pan and turned it randomly during the day).
Side note: Here's a picture to prove that the soap makes suds. For those of you who need to see the suds (ahem, sweet Mr. H)...here are the suds from when I washed my grater & bowl:
DAY 3: The dried soap will have shrunk a bit, this is how mine measured:
I read someone's recipe online who grated theirs even more using their food processor. I decided to try it. (Tip: leave the lid on a minute or so after grinding otherwise you'll have a face full of fine soap powder-yuck)
After grinding the final zote soap measurement was a little over 2 cups.
Just as before, mix it with the other ingredients (2-3 cups BORAX, 2-3 cups WASHING SODA, 2 cups OXYCLEAN). I did about 2 cups each, totalling about 8 cups for the entire mixture.
You only need to use 1 tablespoon for a typical load of laundry (2 for a large or very dirty load), which means the batch I finished today (about 8 cups) will make 128 'typical' loads.TA-DA!
Here is the Zote Soap mix next to the Fels Naptha mix:
Mr. H was asking me the benefits of one mix over the other. The Fels Naptha soap bar costs about the same as the Zote Soap (around $1), but the Zote Soap takes more time & effort. You may prefer pink over yellow...don't forget Zote Soap also comes in white, so there is that option as far as color goes. I haven't done loads with both to compare--but according to everything I've read online--both of these are excellent recipes for both clean, fresh laundry AND saving lots of $!Happy Laundering!
10 comments:
You are the official domestic diva! I've never even heard of making your own laundry soap, but this is an excellent idea. Buying store bought brands are SO expensive. Seem like a lot of work, but well worth it in the end. Thanks!
You're a good woman, Shara. Jason will never be so lucky. Way too many steps for me. :)
Jolie & Lacy,
Thanks for your comments--honestly, the Fels Naptha recipe (the yellow mixture I made first) is super simple.
1. Grate soap
2. Mix with other ingredients
I think it took me about 15-20 minutes!
It is true, though, the Zote Soap(pink mixture) did add a few more steps.
You almost have me convinced!! The only turn off to me is the grating part. If only I had a food processor! (And then I worry about allergies. I can only use powered Tide for Sam. Any other brand, even liquid Tide, makes him break out in rashes. So strange.)
I love everything about this.. well, except for the grating part. But, I could totally get over that. How are you storing it? In the mason jars? TOO CUTE! And, wouldn't these make great gifts for kids going away to college and future missionaries??!! I'm on the hunt for Fels Naptha now.
Bekah,
I'm actually storing some in glass jars and some in empty oxyclean containers.
The main thing is that it is air tight so it doesn't chunk up.
I think there is a benefit from the putting it in the food processor too, that you wouldn't have to worry about it dissolving in cold water. I haven't had any problem but sometimes I do put it in a jar with hot water and shake it up to get it started dissolving. When I used the Zotes I used 2 cookie sheets and kept sort of scrunching it /breaking it up with my hands, so the shreds got very small. So far we are pleased with how the laundry comes out. I like the idea we are sending alot fewer $$$$ out with the dirty water! ( I paid 99c for the Fels at Publix, and $1.29 at Kroger, btw) The cheapest I got Borax was Target! I also went to a Mexican Grocery for my ZOTE but once I had found it at Save-a-lot. Just keep your eyes open. The ingredients are usually on the TOPPEST SHELF in the laundry aisle. I am liking the pink! ( I used white.) The Zotes smells kind of like ivory and the fels kind of lemony.
I learned in high school biology some of the subtle differences between detergent and soap, but don't remember much. What I do remember is that detergent can't "suds up" the way soap does (something about bonds) but when it gets wet it is super slippery. To keep customers happy, laundry companies add a bit of soap to their detergent just so it makes some bubbles. What is it about the bubbles that makes us think things are getting clean? "Goop" takes grease of mechanics hands without any bubbles...
Oh, man....you're a better woman than I.
I found OCTAGON soap today for the first time EVER...and its 69cents!
It's really really easy to make this laundry detergent ladies. And fun.
I will have to make another batch to try the new soap! Forcing myself to wait till Monday though.
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