This phosphate free laundry soap concentrate only takes 1/4 -1/2 cup for a full load, making it extremely cost effective at just pennies per load of laundry!

It has stood the test of time in my HE machine, (six years now) with nothing but excellent results!

Why make homemade laundry soap?

Aren't we just making soap, from.... soap?

Well, the short answer is yes, but we are making a concentrate that is way more cost effective than commercial, store bought laundry detergent.

*I have a printable instructions card at the bottom so you can keep the recipe at hand.

Let's do the math

I purchased the three, laundry soap ingredients six years ago and can make close to seven - 5 gallon batches of concentrate from that one purchase.

Each one - 5 gallon bucket of concentrate in today's prices would cost me less than $3.00.

From that 5 gallon bucket, I can make close to ten - 1 gallon jugs of ready to use laundry soap. Each ready to use jug holds 32-50 loads each, at 1/4- 1/2 cup per load.

This means the ready to use jug costs around .30¢ each, divided by 50 loads equals less than penny per load.

Six years ago I stocked up on several bars of Zote, at around $1.50 per bar and am using the same original boxes of Borax, and Arm & Hammer soap flakes today.

Even if you only use this laundry soap concentrate for washing bath mats, or washable rugs, you are coming out miles ahead in savings. It literally costs around .01¢ cent per load. The very cheap store brands are around .25¢ per load.

Will this harm my washing machine or septic?

Remember, we are using laundry products already designed for washing machine use. This is not a weird, or unusual application with foreign ingredients. These ingredients are all found in the laundry soap aisle.

That being said, you may have a sensitive septic, or an old machine, or simply a bad experience. I can only tell you what has worked for me, so you may have to tweak the recipe to your own situation.

With every load, I always do an extra rinse, no matter what laundry soap, or detergent I am using. I have never had any issues with our HE front loading washing machine, or with our septic system.

Also note, this is a laundry soap, not detergent, so it tends to be milder for sensitive skin. I will however use an enzyme laundry booster sometimes, depending on the load. The printable instruction card has that information on it as well.

Okay, let's do this already - Let's Go!

Grate one bar of Zote soap: Use a grater to make fine shavings. Zote laundry bars come in either pink or white, I like the pink color, but sensitive skin may want to use the white.

Dissolve soap: Add the grated Zote soap to the hot water (not boiling!) and stir until melted and blended.

Mix with the powdered boosters: In a 5 gallon bucket, gently combine the warm water zote soap mixture with 1 cup borax and 1 cup washing soda. Fill the 5 gallon bucket up to top with additional warm water. Leave a few inches from the rim.

Stir thoroughly: Make sure all ingredients are well mixed. I use a wooden yard stick, but a broom handle can work well too.

Let it sit:  Cover the 5 gallon bucket with a lid, allow the mixture to cool and thicken overnight. The next day it should be firm and solid.

Fill The Jugs:  At this point you are now ready to fill a

1 gallon jug, (or recycled laundry jug), with a 1:1 ratio(equal parts) of your laundry soap concentrate and water. Make sure you leave enough head room so you are able to shake it to blend before each use. I pre mark lines on a recycled 1 gallon vinegar jug to show where to add the concentrate up to, and also the water line. You will want to use a funnel, this laundry soap concentrate is really thick and gloppy!

I have used this mixture as is, and it works well for most types of laundry needs. However, I also have this same mix in another jug, but with an added 1 capful of an enzyme booster to the 1 gallon jug.

I use this for more serious stains or for really filthy laundry. The cost addition is minimal since only a small amount of enzyme detergent is necessary to be effective. I preferer both Persil brand, or Zum brand.

Things to note:

You can add several drops of your favorite essential oil to each jug for the scent you are desiring.

This is laundry soap, not detergent, so it is phosphate free, and also free from many chemicals found in commercial detergent. I like to set my washing machine on an extra rinse to ensure complete cleaning.

If all you used this laundry soap for was for washing your washable rugs and floor mats, you would still be miles ahead in saving money!

You are only using 1 cup of laundry soda, and 1 cup borax from each box when making the full 5 gallon concentrate. Store the remaining opened borax and laundry soda box in a zip top bag, or air tight container to prevent caking of remaining product.

 If keeping a laundry enzyme separate from the 1:1 mix, then add 2 tablespoons to wash along with the premixed soap per load.

This soap mixture can also be used to wash outdoor furniture, garage doors, exterior of house, and home gutters.

Click the link below for a printable instruction card to keep on hand.

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