I think I have SOOO goofed! I decided it was a good day to make up some laundry soap and since with me bigger is always better. I decided to use 2 whole bars of the zote soap…which makes the recipe 4 times! I forgot that the last time I made it I used 1 whole bar and it made 6 1/2 gallons!!! So now I am searching for something big enough to mix it all in. 5 gal bucket just aint gonna cut it this time. Guess I will have to use a huge tote. And good thing I have been saving milk jugs, but not enough, gotta call the family and see what they have. I know they will all want some anyway, thats why I make big batches. But 4 times!!! What was I thinking????

In order for the soap to “melt faster”, I grate my Ivory soap then set it aside for a couple of days to let it dry out.  I take an old Potato Masher that my Nanny gave me and mash it …When it dries out enough and has been mashed enough its powder. The Soap easily mixed to the other ingredients. A bonus to this is when I decide to make liquid I can still use my powdered soap and it dissolves faster.

I was going to dry out my bar first, but got impatient and needed it now. So I did it in the food processor, much easier on the knuckles! And a lot faster. I bought 5 bars at a time the other day just so I wouldnt have to wait when I needed them again. I have them unwrapped and drying now. It really does make them melt faster. I have lots of scents I use with my lotions and was thinking of using it in one gallon, hubby likes a smelly laundry. But I like unscented, smells clean to me that way.

This intrigues me.  I just may have to make soap on my day off. 

:J

I can't seem to find the washing soda.

I have always found the soda right beside the borax in every store. You can always just double up on the borax. One box will go a very long way.

According to the first article you posted, the two aren't that different in PH levels, and the second article says that baking soda is made from washing soda.  I've not heard of the deterioration of fibers and elastic.  If that's the case, then I would worry about both products, since they are so close in PH.

I really think it boils down to personal preference.

I found the washing soda as Arm & Hammer washing soda…..it looks like a big box of baking soda in a yellow box right next to Borax.

I'm using Kirk's Castille soap………used it in dish soap and shampoo……..I love it………it doesn't get real sudsy, but it cleans real well!

I cannot believe how little all of this stuff takes to make!!!  And read the ingredients on the backs of things!!  OMG!!  Maybe that's why everything I've ever used made me itch and rashy.  I just learned to live with it……..working on body wash probly next week, I still have some to use up.  Maybe I can be itch free!!  It's getting better with the laundry soap!

Thanks everyone for turning me on to homemade laundry soap………I'm going crazy with what else I can make!  There are so many different sites online to read about, it's taken a few days out of my housecleaning, but oh well…..the housework is always there!!