Homemade Laundry Detergent for Sensitive Skin

I started using this because my son had eczema. We were going through expensive All Free and Clear detergent very quickly, but he was still breaking out. When I found this recipe, it not only cleared his skin, but I make about a year's worth of laundry detergent for under $20.


Homemade Laundry Detergent


Materials needed:

• Snapware Airtight Storage Container (must be airtight or it will clump!)
• Measuring Cup
• Grater

Ingredients:

• 2 bars Fels-Naptha Laundry Bar Soap - Grated
• 2 cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda 
• 2 cup Dry Powdered Borax
• 2 cups of Oxi-Clean Free and Clear Powdered (Optional)

1. Grate 2 bars Fels Naptha Laundry Soap 
I bought a cheap cheese grater  and plastic shoe box from dollar store and use exclusively for grating the soap and storing my soap making tools. If you grate the Fels Naptha soap pieces too big, they won't dissolve, so do not rush this step. A friend tried this recipe and she said she used her food processor but the pieces were too big and did not dissolve. Sometimes I grate them, then use my fingers to break into crumbles.

2. Add in other powdered ingredients 
I also bought a cheap measuring cup from dollar store that I use exclusively  for soap making because Borax is toxic to ingest.

3. Mix Well in an air-tight container Container must be air tight or it will harden with big clumps. I use a Snapware Airtight Storage Container with locking lids, that is also leak proof. The air tight container will prove even more useful because you can put the lid on and just shake.  If you are making a double batch you may have to stir just a bit.

4. Use 1 1/2 Tbsp for an Extra Large Load in a Non High Efficiency Washer (see below if you have High efficiency washer).  Experiment with a load of towels to see if you can get away with just using 1 1/2 TBSP in your washer.

I have heard some people complain it doesn't melt in cold water, but since I ONLY use cold water to wash clothes the temp of the water is not the problem. If the soap flakes are not dissolving, you are not using enough water and/or stuffing your washer too full, or are using too much soap.   High Efficiency washers do not use as much water as older washers. If you have a high efficiency washer you will need to use less detergent.

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