Phase 1:
Buy ingredients
1 big box of Borax – 4.35
2 medium boxes of washing soda – 6.98
10 bars of Ivory soap (only used 4) – 4.99
Total cost – $16.32
Ingredients left over –
five bars of ivory soap
Because there was so much soap left over and because I can use that for normal shower washing time, I’ll calculate the cost of supplies to be $13.82 instead of $16.32.
Process:
Shred soap on smallish shredder side – took about five minutes. Each bar made about 2 1/2 cups shredded soap.
Measure equal parts shredded soap, borax and washing soda into a bucket.
Recipe:
11.5 cups shredded soap (five bars worth)
11.5 cups washing soda
11.5 cups borax
Mix.
Because I made a large batch, it was actually hard for me to mix. I think making two half batches or even smaller would have been much better. Then I would be totally sure it was mixed evenly and it would take less effort. Besides, mixing it for a longer time means more yucky soap powder puffs of your bucket. It doesn’t “puff” badly, really… but it’s not good for breathing so I don’t want any of it if I can help it.
The smallest amount I’ve seen suggested to use per load is 1 tablespoon. I have a top loader, so it uses more water than a front loader… so I think I will start by using 2 tablespoons at a time. If that works great, then fabulous! If it’s not great, then I’ll use more. The most I’ve seen suggested is 4 tablespoons, or 1/4 cup. (same thing)
Cost per load
Total cost – $13.82
Total cups of soap = 11.5×3 = 34.5 cups….. so 34.5cups x 16tablespoons per cup = 552 tablespoons
Just in case I measured anything short, let’s pretend there’s only 500 tablespoons in there. (I think that shredded soap was kinda loose)
So – for 1 tablespoon per load:
$13.82/500loads = $.028 per load or about .03
For 2 tablespoons per load – $.055 per load or about .06
For 1/4 cup per load = $.11 per load.
I’m actually surprised at the math. When I looked this up, I was expecting it to be just $.01 per load. The cheap “True Value” detergent I’m using is only $7.99 and it says it’s 150 loads. I’m going to need to read the fine print to see, but if it really is 150 regular sized loads, then that’s $.05 per load which is comparable.
Thoughts? I’ve been using it for about 3 weeks (2 tablespoons a load) and so far, so good! The clothes still look just fine and smell fine too. Much happier with this than my homemade dishwasher detergent (which is leaving stuff chalky). Not sure if it’s worth the (minimal) effort, but we shall see!
Photo description of soap-making here:
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- The ingredients. (Box of borax is bigger than laundry soda boxes...) Anybody else have problems with the borax being in a big brick inside the box?
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- Shredded and measured...
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- All mixed up. Wish I had made smaller batches so it would have mixed easier.
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- Zee soop, all meexed oop.
I made homemade laundry detergent once (different recipe), but I found that for the price and effort I was doing better buying the cheep detergent already made. I do use my leftover borax in my load sometimes though 🙂
I make my laundry soap this way too! It’s so fun and simple. Also, glad you’re feeling better (referring to post above this one) 🙂
I’ve been wanting to do this for almost a year now. I bought everything to make it about 8 months ago, and it is still sitting in my laundry room waiting for me. I think you have inspired me to dig it out, and do it already! =]