Homemade Laundry Soap ~ New & improved recipe!

I have been making my own laundry detergent for quite awhile now...not really any complaints about the recipe I used to make which you can find here!  My only annoyance with the original recipe was quite a bit of pre-treating still and you lose that fresh laundry scent...which is like crack to a drug addict, peanut butter to jelly, milk to cookies {ok ok you get it!} for me! I LOVE the smell of clean laundry!

Thanks to my seriously out of control Pinterest addiction I came across a new recipe, here & its from one of my all time favorite blogs, HowDoesShe !!

This makes a huge amount which I am actually thrilled about since that makes it even easier in the long run since this will last forever!  Even though I have made my own for so long I was still skeptical since you only use 1-2 tbs per load & I couldn't find the ZOTE soap anywhere local so had to order from eBay {if you go that route make sure you notice what size bars you are buying since they are sold in small/large varieties and this recipe calls for 2 large size bars}!  I can say now that I am a total believer!  I have 2 little stain makers {both with sensitive skin} in my house, this new recipe has yet to let a stain sneak through to the dryer & have had no issues with skin irritations either!  Smells great {WooooHooo!!} and super convenient!!! 

Ingredients!

 Recipe calls for optional ingredient of 1-2 55oz Purex Crystals, I couldn't find that large size so went with 1 28oz bottle and I think it adds just the right amount of fresh smell but you could always go with more or leave out all together!

I was able to find everything but the ZOTE at Walmart
Rubbermaid tote $6.97
Borax $3.38
Purex Crystals $4.76
Oxyclean $7.52
Baking Soda $2.24
Washing Soda $3.78

 

Toss all the parts into a large bin with a lid {I grabbed a Rubbermaid 19qt with locking lid}, I added everything then grated the 2 bars of ZOTE on top and let sit out uncovered all night to dry out the soap a bit since its a very soft soap.  I HIGHLY recommend either adding the 5 containers in layers or stirring as you go because I just simply dumped them all in and when it came time to mix it up gave quite the upper arm/shoulder workout!

 

Pre-mixing

 

Post-mixing

 

In the recipe it suggests to save the Purex crystals container and use the lid as your measuring scoop, I opted to just use it straight outta the large container and saved the Oxyclean scoop which has lines and #2 line = 2 tbs so easy peasy measuring!!!