Making Laundry Soap

Several years ago I began making our families laundry soap. Not only is it easy to make, it saves us an estimated $ 150.00 in commercial detergents, plus mine has no harsh or toxic chemicals. The laundry soap is creamy white and gets clothes clean and fresh. Give a pail a try and you’ll never buy store bought again. If you want to see soap making in action, attend one of our Soap Making workshops this fall.

Laundry Soap Recipe

1 – 6 gallon plastic pail with lid
2 ½ gallons of rainwater or distilled water, plus an additional 2 ½ gallons more water to be added later
12 oz. Lye
52.5 ounces lard (7 cups, melted)
2 cups borax
4 ounces fragrance oil
2 cups washing soda

Weigh the lard and place in a stainless steel pan to melt on low heat. Pour 2 ½ gallons of water into the pail. Slowly add 12 ounces of lye, and stir until dissolved ( 1-2 minutes). Add the melted, but slightly cooled lard and stir. This will now become a milky liquid.

Add the, borax, fragrance oil and stir. Add the remaining 2 ½ gallons water, and stir until well blended. I use a long spoon.  A SLOW turning drill with a paint paddle will work well. Just be sure you have the pail covered to avoid splatters.

Continue stirring for about 15 minutes. Depending on the temperature of the lard, it may or may not begin to thicken immediately. This is okay, as it will thicken over time.

Cover pail and let sit in a warm part of the house, or if you are in a warm climate you may sit it on the porch or garage as we do. Let sit for 6 weeks, making sure to stir the mixture at least once per day until it is very thick.

At the end of the six weeks it is ready to use. Simply scoop out 1/4 to 1/2 cup of soap and place in a quart jar. Add 16 ounces of hot water and shake well. You now have enough to do one wash load. Tip: We will take 2 cups of laundry soap and place in a blender. Fill the blender with warm water and whiz on LOW speed until it is well mixed. Pour this into separate pint jars and your soap is ready for dirty clothes.

This same recipe can be used in a pump dispenser for hand soap

Scoop out 1 cup of the thick soap base and place in a blender with 1 cup distilled water. Turn the blender on the lowest setting and blend for about 30 seconds. If a coloring is desired it should be added at this time. Pour this into your favorite pump dispenser and enjoy.