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My Trip to Crazy World


Ugh.  My day consisted of the dreaded plunge.  Walmart.  I cringe every time I think of it!  I will admit I despise shopping of any kind unless it's for shoes, the flea market, garage sales or Craigslist (an adventurous hunt for the unusual is always a blast).  However, Walmart is one of my most dreaded trips.  It is an adventure though...odd people, no parking, lines that are unending and I am undoubtedly accosted by every nut in the state of Colorado.  Yes.  That sums it up.  I'm convinced they need a HUGE sign out front that reads ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK!  Nevertheless once a month I pretend to be brave and venture out.  Well, three full carts... five grumpy kids...a cashier that needed a serious dose of personality and 2 hours later...I was spent.  To top it off I held my breath as I watched the cashier scan one item after another quickly racking up the bill.     

 Yes, times are tight for most (us included).  This got me thinking...with the holidays recently behind us everyone is trying their best to budget properly.  So, I thought I would share my homemade laundry soap recipe with y'all.  It has done wonders for our budget and it works great even in front load washers.  Believe me with 5 children and all our animals I do A LOT of laundry!  Not just any laundry mind you, but clothes with ground in stains and an unmistakable ripe stench that no one should have to endure. It is imperative that my soap does a good job. This recipe works like a charm and after three years of use we have never had a bad experience. Thanks so much Michelle Duggar and all the frugal moms on the Internet (I combined many recipes to make a version of my own).  

Laundry Soap Recipe    

Ingredients:

-       Bar of Soap (Zote, Ivory or Fels Naptha)
-       1 cup Borax
-       1 cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda (different than baking soda)

Few stores carry the washing soda.  All 3 products can be found at Kroger’s (King Soopers)

Tools:

-       Medium size stock pot
-       5 gallon bucket with a lid
-       Funnel with a 1” hole on the bottom
-       Old laundry soap containers

Directions:

-       Using a cheese grater, grate the bar of soap
-       Fill the stock pot halfway with water; add the bar soap
-       Cook over medium-low heat until melted, stirring frequently (do not allow water to boil as it will activate the soap and overflow)
-       Once the soap is melted; add the Borax and Washing Soda stir on low heat until mixture thickens.
-       Fill a 5 gallon bucket halfway with Hot tap water
-       Pour the mixture from the stove into the bucket; Stir well
-       Fill the bucket to the top with Hot tap water; Stir well
-       Put the lid on the bucket and let sit for 24 hours

-       After 24 hours, the soap mixture will be a gel; Stir (If available, you can use a paint stirring paddle attached to a drill to make it easier)
-       Using a funnel, fill the old laundry soap containers halfway with soap
-       Fill to the top of containers with Hot water; put the lid on; shake bottle to mix
-       For top-loading machines: use 1 cup soap mixture for each  load.
For front-loading machines: use 1/3 cup soap mixture for each load 
It is normal for the soap to be lumpy.

Total cost for 10 gallons of soap: $3.50

Until next time... 
Jessie
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