Homemade laundry soap

A great way to be frugal and save a lot of money is by making your own laundry soap. If you've never tried it, I encourage you to make this your week!!! Even if you or your kids have sensitive skin or eczema, you can use their sensitive skin bar soap instead of Ivory (store bought) soap. It will cost you the same amount to buy the ingredients as it will to buy a box of Tide, only instead of 30 -40 loads, you'll have enough to make hundreds!

Here's the recipe I use:

1 quart boiling water

2 cups Bar soap (grated)

2 cups Borax

2 cups Washing Soda (Arm & Hammer)

• Add finely grated bar soap to the boiling water and stir until soap is completely melted (20 min.) You can keep on low heat until soap is melted.
  
  
• Pour the soap water into a large, clean pail and add the Borax and Washing Soda. Stir well until it has dissolved.
  
  
• Add 2 gallons of water and stir until well mixed.
  
  
• Cover pail and use 1/4 cup for each load of laundry. Stir the sap each time, as it will gel.

I saved a laundry softener jug and fill it up with my soap, then I use the lid as my measuring cup each time. It also makes it easy to stir - just shake the jug!

The key here is making sure your soap is completely melted, and yes it takes time, but it will save you a lot of money!