by A Kairi

Created on: June 16, 2009   Last Updated: June 20, 2009

Making your own cleaning supplies is a quick and easy way to save money while limiting the amount of toxins and chemicals introduced to your home. Commercial cleaning supplies, laundry soaps in particular, usually contain a large amount of dyes and fragrances in addition to a wide variety of chemicals. These products sell well because of their stain fighting power and because most people do not realize that making laundry soap is a much easier process than making facial or body soap.

I developed the following recipe for home made laundry soap after I grew tired of paying extra money for additive free laundry soaps such as Ivory Snow and Dreft. I was appalled that I was being charged more when the soap companies were actually saving money by not putting additives in the soap, however my family's sensitive skin conditions left me little choice at the time.

The following laundry soap recipe is simple to make and requires few tools and ingredients. The recipe is designed to use inexpensive ingredients and implements, most of which you may already have on hand. The recipe is also highly adaptable allowing you to add a variety of scents or customize the laundry soap to your particular laundering needs.

You will need the following tools and containers to make the recipe: one large bucket with a lid (bucket will need to hold at least 4 gallons), you can use a large paint bucket for this provided it is completely clean and free of residual paint flakes; one cheese grater (preferably a heavy duty metal grater); a large saucepan and a large wooden spoon.

You will also need the following ingredients to make the recipe: (4) 1 lb. boxes of baking soda (no need to spring for the name brand stuff as generic brands of baking soda will work just fine); 3 gallons and six cups of water; 2 bars of your favorite soap; 1 cup of Washing Soda. I recommend using bars of Ivory soap if you or any of your family members have sensitive skin as Ivory soap is the least expensive pure soap available in most areas. You can find washing soda at most department and discount stores, it is similar in composition to baking soda and the most commonly available brand is Arm and Hammer.

Begin making the recipe by adding 3 gallons of hot tap water to your large bucket. Next add the (5) 1lb. boxes of baking soda to the bucket. Stir the mixture for a minute or two to make sure all of the baking soda has dissolved.

Next add the washing soda to the bucket, stirring the mixture again for a minute or

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