Homemade Laundry Soap

Yes, you heard me-homemade!! Who knew?? We learned this recipe at a church meeting a few months ago. I recently ran out of the store bought stuff and decided to give it a try. Then yesterdays dirty clothes got to be the lucky ones to give it a go. And yes it worked. Everything was clean.
And the best part is that it is stinking cheap. I haven't calcuated exactly but it has to be way less than a penny per load. I don't know how widespread this recipe is online, but I still had to share it with you. I heard that the 18-kids and Counting lady uses this stuff to do her laundry. It really only took about 10-15 minutes to make after you have everything gathered.

I found the Fels-naptha and washing soda at Winco (our grocery store)

Liquid Laundry Soap

4 cups Hot tap water
1 Fels-naptha Bar
1 cup washing soda
1/2 cup Borax

Directions: Grate Fels-soap and add to hot water. Stir over medium-low heat until the soap is dissolved. Fill one gallon bucket 1/2 full of hot tap water. Add soap mixture, soda, and borax until dissolved. Add more hot water to fill up 5 gallon bucket. Let sit over night. Then when cool you can add 10-15 drops essential oils per 2 gallons of soap.

I'm going to use a leftover plastic gallon ice cream bucket to fill up for easier use, then go back to the five gallon bucket to refill that. You might have to restir once in awhile.

Top loaders uses 1/4 cup per load.
Front loaders uses 1/8 cup per load.

One simple laundry tip

I had three boys in a little less than four years. They are close in age. One is a little bit height-challenged and even though he is almost six can still fit in some 4's. And the four-year-old wears 4's. I wish we just had a big bin of pants, shirts, socks, etc. But they don't really appreciate that.

Sooo, awhile ago I came with a system for pants, shirts, underwear, socks, etc.
The oldest gets one cut in his tag (or one tick with a permanent marker), the 2nd one gets two cuts, the third one gets three. Then, when the item gets too small and is ready to be passed down, another cut or tick mark gets added to the item for the next boy.

It has made laundry a lot nicer.

Lazy moms stain fighting magic

I admit it. I don't take care of stains immediately. Especially with babies who guarantee at least one blow-out a day, not matter what size or brand of diaper you have. Those bm's are just destined to head out the back door.

So, I make a pile of stained clothes and take care of them once a week. And my method works. Almost every time.

So, you need: stained clothing

Your secret weapons: Fels Nafta: (This is the cheese-looking bar. We have gotten our at Winco. They are cheap and last for a long time) and Oxi-Clean.Then you set your washer to soak and while the tub is filling , scrub the stains with yours Fels Nafta. Then when the washer is filled, put a couple of scoops of Oxi-Clean. Then you let it sit for a couple of hours. Or a couple of days depending on how you week is going. Then wash and dry as usual. And wa-lah. Good as new.