Liquid or powdered laundry soap

[autumn]

I have decided to try out making laundry soap. Since powdered appeared more simple, I was going to do that. However, I now wonder if the grated soap will still be too large to dissolve properly in the wash.

I was wondering if anyone had any experience with this and could offer some insight on which type was better

[pcrowder]

I've made both - I haven't really had any trouble with the powdered dissolving in the wash, as I put the detergent in first, then put in about 4" of REALLY HOT water. I then agitate the water a little to make sure the soap is dissolving, and then fill it up the rest of the way with either hot or warm water (depending on the types of clothes I'm washing), and wash as usual. I have found that the powdered doesn't dissolve too well in cold water, though. That is when I use the liquid instead.
Hope this helps!
Pat

[Saoirse]

I wash in cold water with my homemade powdered detergent (washing soda, borax and fels-naptha soap) and always put the soap in first and use vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser. I no longer use the dryer sheets. There is never a problem with the soap dissolving. The clothes are always soft and clean. Perhaps you are overloading the machine?
However, after I grate the soap and mix it with the soda and borax, I put it back in the food processor for a few minutes so that the mixture is superfine. This may be the difference.

[MNMOM]

I make powdered as well, it let's you skip the extra steps for making liquid.

To make mine:
1 bar of Fels Naptha, grated
2 cups of Washing Soda
2 cups of Borax
2 cups of Oxi-Clean

This does such a fantastic job of cleaning and everything smells so fresh, plus the added bonus of saving money. I saw where the biggest container of Tide is nearly $20.00. :o

[crowweaver]

Here's the recipe I use. I just posted it in another thread but ....

Homemade Laundry Soap

1 Bar Fels Naptha soap *
1 Cup Borax
1 Cup Arm and Hammer Washing soda (not baking soda)


Grate the Fels Naptha as small as possible and mix all 3 together well. (can grind together in blender) Store in airtight container. *

Use 2 to 3 Tablespoons per load. For soft water and delicates, use even less. It doesn't suds up but it's strong stuff and cleans filthy work clothes with ease.

[yotetrapper]

Since someone was asking about Laundry soap, this is the recipe I use. It is a liquid detergent. It makes 2 big size detergent bottles full. Total cost for me, per YEAR is under $20!!!

http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/laundrysoap.htm

[Southerngirl]

Thanks yotetrapper for the link, I saved it to my files and plan on trying it. I remembered reading about this somewhere but it's nice when someone brings the info back up :)

[yotetrapper]

No problem. I really like the detergent. It's a bit tricky, though. Do follow the recipe as given. I tried modifying it, and found the way it's written works best. Also, they tell you to do you final mixing of it in a large bucket, and then let sit overnight. I tried skipping that step and immediately bottling into my jugs and that does NOT work. So I mix it in the bucket, let it sit overnight and then use a funnel to pour it into my buckets.