I had bought some laundry soap from the fantastic Carrie Garvin, but I'm running out, fast! I decided, after seeing so much of it on Pinterest, to try and make my own laundry soap. Seeing how I have discarded, ugly or otherwise unsellable soaps, it's a good way to use them up right?
So I've bought all my ingredients finally (do you know how difficult it is to find Borax and washing soda here?) and hope to make the laundry soap this weekend. That's not to say I'm not going to buy Carrie's soaps again because I love the smells and Cambridge Rum is not a scent I'd ever be able to make.
This is the one time I'm glad I still have a top loader washing machine because if my soap makes too much lather, well at least gravity will hopefully keep it all in the machine.
I'm curious to see how this works for you. I've only used bars of soap to spot-remove stains (which works great!) but I'd love to try this too. I'm glad you showed a picture of the washing soda, because I have a feeling I will have a hard time finding it!
ReplyDeleteHi Cee, I'll post a follow up here after I do laundry with it. I bought the washing soda and borax at London Drugs, so if you have one close by, you can see if they carry it. Apparently washing soda can be made by cooking baking soda at 400 for 30 mins (or an hour depending on which website you're reading. I decided to play it safe & buy it instead. ;) )
DeleteThanks Monica, we do have a local LD...I'll check there!
DeleteLet me know how your laundry soap turns out.
DeleteCool! I take it you made the powdered stuff? I've tried making both and I prefer the powder to the liquid. Most days, I just buy Carrie's because her scents are amazing and I never have enough CP soaps left over to make laundry soap. I have never seen anyone use MP soap to make it so I hope it works for you!
ReplyDeleteI made the powdered stuff yes. I might try the liquid stuff next time, seen instructions on Pinterest to make that as well but I'm lazy. :) I made a very small amount (not even 750 mL) this time to see how it works. The recipe I followed said to use Ivory or any other type of soap, so I figured, well, give it a shot.
DeleteI love Carrie's laundry soap too. She creates the most amazing fragrances. We make our own half of the time but we have an HE washer so how much soap we can use in the machine is very limited. I'm glad you were able to find the washing soda and borax. I just found a cool tutorial for making laundry soap containers here:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.howdoesshe.com/gifting-the-worlds-best-homemade-laundry-detergent-free-printable/
Aren't they cute? Not the laundry soap but the way she etched on the words "Laundry Soap." Have you seen that etching stuff before? I wish I knew where to get it. I've not seen it at our local craft stores :(
Carrie does have amazing fragrances. I was down to not much left with a lot of laundry to be done and I tend to hoard when I get to the last bits of things.
DeleteThose are very cute and they'd make great gifts at Christmas time too, less caloric than what I usually make at Christmas time. ;) Have you tried on line for the etching stuff? I've never looked for it before but I should give it a try.
I tried out my soap today and it didn't create a lot of bubbles, which is fine. My laundry wasn't horribly dirty or anything, so I'm not sure if it did a better or worse job than any of the other laundry soaps I've used in the past, but it is satisfying to be able to make something for yourself.
ReplyDeleteI haven't looked online yet, I should do that. I agree... great Christmas gift idea!
ReplyDeleteIt is really nice to make our own products. Makes me want to be a pioneer ... with indoor plumbing of course :D
Have you tried the wooly balls in the dryer to go along with the natural laundry soap? I need to try and make me one of those too.
I think I saw something on Pinterest today about finding it at Holly Hobby (is that what the place is called?) or I could've mixed it up with some other crafting supplies.
ReplyDeleteLOL! I hear ya, although pioneering isn't me, more just be a little more self sufficient but with a Costco nearby enough that I can pick up last minute items.
No, I haven't heard about those wool balls, you'll have to tell me more about them. The only time I use the dryer is if I do bedding, but I usually try & hand my laundry to dry.
So cool you're going to make (or already have) laundry soap!!! There are so many recipes on Pinterest- everyone could try! Can't wait to hear about it!
ReplyDeleteI don't like it as much as what you make Carrie, you manage to have the best scents in your soap. But I needed some sooner than later and I didn't want to have to cross the border just to pick up laundry soap (and have hubby grumbling about border lineups) so what I make will do in a pinch.
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