help me make my own laundry soap

[e_roehm23]

I'm thinking about making some fels naptha laundry soap for dd's dipes. Has anyone tried this, and how well did it work? Is the liquid or powder better? Would another soap work better?

[ExuberantDaffodil]

I've asked this question a lot and can't really get a straight answer.

I already make my own laundry soap to wash all of the family's laundry. I use the 1/3 fels naptha bar soap (finely grated) + 1 c borax + 1c washing soda recipe. I've made it in both the liquid gel and the powder and don't really have a preference except that the liquid gel is more labor intensive and I tend to use more of it than the powder (not because I need to but because I just over dump...). In my powder version I sometimes add 1/4 c of oxyclean. I'm pretty conservative with my fels naptha, as some recipes call for 1/2 bar or a whole cup of grated, or even a whole bar grated.

I've done google searches galore to see if this detergent will work on my cloth diapers, and I always get mixed responses from yeah, it works great to no, the fels naptha will eventually cause a build up. I am going to try using a castile soap instead of the fels naptha, but again, I got lots of mixed reviews. I think I am just going to have to experiment and find out for myself when my babe arrives and I am washing her diapers. I do plan on trying Dr. Bronner's castile soap in both the baby version and in the tea tree version.

I really, really do not want to have to go back to buying laundry detergent, so I am hoping to find a good mix.

[Ifluffedthree]

tonnes of google info to yield your answers.

I use cold press Goat Milk Soap instead of the Fels Naptha

I have made my own for going on about 8 years. I would not consider going back to detergent - my skin loves me again.

[ShwarmaQueen]

There are two detergent threads in the Diaper Forum with recipes for homemade detergent. If I remember correctly, the ingredients are:

Grated (or flakes) laundry soap
Borax
Washing soda

I've seen two different ratios- 2:1:1 and 1:1:1

I really want to try making my own but I can't seem to find the soap or washing soda.

[ExuberantDaffodil]

I actually found washing soda in the laundry isle of my local grocery store (but have never been able to find it at Wal Mart or Target). Arm & Hammer distributes it. I've also read that you can go to a pool supply store and get 100% soda ash (for neutralizing ph) and it is the same thing. The fels naptha I was pretty surprised to actually find in the laundry isle, too. It is usually stocked up high on the shelf (not easy to see) with the stain removers. Try a few different grocery stores to see if they stock it.

[ShwarmaQueen]

Originally Posted by ExuberantDaffodil

I actually found washing soda in the laundry isle of my local grocery store (but have never been able to find it at Wal Mart or Target). Arm & Hammer distributes it. I've also read that you can go to a pool supply store and get 100% soda ash (for neutralizing ph) and it is the same thing. The fels naptha I was pretty surprised to actually find in the laundry isle, too. It is usually stocked up high on the shelf (not easy to see) with the stain removers. Try a few different grocery stores to see if they stock it.

Yah I need to check around. I just happened to be going grocery shopping last night so I checked there, but nothing. I'm going to keep my eye out for it...

[3lilpunkins]

All I use for CDs is 1 cup oxy clean free & 1 cup washing soda. Then I use 1/8 cup in hot wash

[3lilpunkins]

Originally Posted by ShwarmaQueen

I really want to try making my own but I can't seem to find the soap or washing soda.

I use ivory soap in my detergent for clothes, Its like $4 for 10 bars! Can't beat that!!! I found borax at walmart, and washing soda at my grocery store in the laundry aisle

[ShwarmaQueen]

Originally Posted by 3lilpunkins

I use ivory soap in my detergent for clothes, Its like $4 for 10 bars!

I was wondering what the difference between regular body soap and laundry soap was...I found cheap Castille soap and wondered since it was "all natural" if I could sub that.

Thanks for the tips!

[3lilpunkins]

A lot of ppl use castile soap. I only use ivory b/c its easiest to find & much cheaper. But ivory is basicly the only body soap I've seen used for detergent