Laundry, everyone does it. well unless you are one of those rich celebrities that don’t believe in wearing the same clothing twice and get rid of them after one use… (can we just say ridiculous?!?!) So assuming that no one reading this is super rich and can afford to throw away their clothing after wearing once, I think it is probably safe to say we all do laundry! haha

I began doing my own laundry, once upon a time. Then worked at a couple of bed and breakfasts and got some real hands on training with towel and bedding laundry. Yes, I am proficient at folding fitted sheet, and all of our towels are folded in thirds. Then you get married, more laundry, and then you have a child…

Not only is that more clothing to wash, but if you have a baby that spits up a lot, add that to the mix. Then if you are just as laundry crazy as I apparently am why not add cloth diapers to the mix…oh and while we are at it, cloth wipes too. Then baby number two comes along.

Now you have a potty trained toddler that still on occasion wets their pants, and their bedding at nap time, another baby that spits up a lot, and yes, still using cloth diapers and wipes, on top of all of the normal day to day momma, papa, and kiddo clothing laundry… oh and don’t forget about bedding, towels, dog bedding, and entry way, kitchen and bathroom rugs.

Whoa! I used to think our regular laundry kept me busy. Now I feel like it is never ending. By the time I get laundry washed, folded, diapers hung dried, stuffed and put away, it starts all over again. This much laundry and you can imagine the laundry soap I go through!

For diapers and wipes I make my own pre-wash out of equal parts oxi-clean free, borax and washing soda. I use Method free and clear as my soap for actual wash of diapers and wipes now; which is a revision of how I used to wash them (Wash Routine for Cloth Diapers), and I have been pleased with the change.

For all the rest of our laundry I make my own. I’ve read the blogs and write-ups about how your laundry doesn’t really get clean and about the people that strip their laundry after using homemade detergent and their tub water turns black/gray. I have tried this, and I have never had my tub water change colors; so I would say I am very pleased with my homemade laundry soap. So without further ado, please let me tell you how I make ours!

I use these three ingredients. Borax, Washing soda and Dove Soap. I use the unscented usually just because there are fewer perfumes in it. I have a pot, a bamboo spoon, a measuring cup and a large used “ALL Free and Clear” container to store my soap that are all designated just for detergent making.

First, my handy husband likes to grate my soap for me and we keep it in a ziplock bag that he has labeled, “not coconut” for me that I store with all my soap making things (seriously,  it could be mistaken as coconut, by the looks of it. lol).

I fill up my pot about 3/4 full, add half a bar of grated soap and cook it on med/high until all of the soap has melted and dissolved into the water. Then I add 3/4 cup of washing soda, and 3/4 cup borax into the pot and stir until dissolved. If the bottom of the pot still sounds gritty, keep cooking. After this is mixed I pour it, by use of a funnel, into the ALL Container and add cold water until it is full to the brim. Cap it, and mix it up.

I like to let mine sit for about 24 hours, gives it time to cool down and congeal a bit.

Use just as you would any other detergent. I personally don’t recommend the usual Fels-Naptha that a lot of people use. I prefer the dove soap, it is soft and gentle, and doesn’t have any color added to it, so it won’t stain your laundry.