Liquid soap as base for homemade laundry soap?

[freemotion]

To clarify.....I am asking about using LIQUID soap to make laundry soap, rather than grating and melting bar soap. I guess no one has tried this. I have a student who has some liquid Dr. Bronner's and wanted to know how much to use. I am not sure how liquid castile soap compares to bar soap as far as strength is concerned, if using equal bulk or weight would make a strong enough laundry soap.

Guess he'll have to find out for himself! Personally, the homemade bar soap doesn't work for me, I think it is my water. I have to use the fels naptha, and I use a little more now than I used to.

 

[kagedgoddess]

I know the answer!!! well kinda. i have dr bronners as well and it is Concentrated, like 1 T to 1 gal or something, i d have to go look, But this is what i do. i kept my old measurer from All free and clear, i fill it to the first line with bronners And i put about the same amount of borax in as well. now i know i didnt "make" laundry soap, but it works for me in a pinch. at my grocery store dr bronners is $11 for the big bottle. my laundry gets amazingly clean And smells nice too. i even wash cloth diapers in this formula and have had NO problems. so he can try that. borax is everywhere and is like $4.

 

[freemotion]

Thank you!!! and

A fine way to join us, with an answer!

 

[dragonlaurel]

Thanks- I might try it too.

 

[DianeB]

I use about a 1/4 cup castile soap (e.g. Dr. Bonner's or other vegetable based soap) and 1/2 cup baking soda in the the wash cycle. Then add about 1/2 to one cup vinegar in the rinse cycle. You have to use vinegar, lemon juice or something else acidic to wash off the soap or their maybe a slight residue on the clothes.

It gets clothes very clean and they smell fresher than using any commercial detergent.

To be clear detergent and soap are two very different products. They both clean, but soap is fat or oil based, 'naturally' processed and is alkaline. Detergent is industrially processed and has a neutral pH. It is also much harsher then soap and not environmentally friendly.