Frugal and Eco-Friendly: Homemade Laundry Soap with Fels-Naptha for Sustainable Cleaning

Save Money and Reduce Chemicals: Make Your Own Laundry Detergent with Fels-Naptha Soap

In today's world, where convenience often comes at a price, finding ways to save money and minimize the use of unnecessary chemicals is a win-win situation. One area where you can achieve both is in your laundry routine. By making your own laundry detergent at home using Fels-Naptha soap, you can not only save money but also contribute to a cleaner environment. Let's explore the process of creating homemade laundry detergent, which is neither time-intensive nor laborious, and requires only a modest investment of approximately $20 in raw materials. With this affordable investment, you can produce enough detergent to last for several hundred loads of laundry, all in a single weekend.

First things first, what is Fels-Naptha? Fels-Naptha is a well-known brand of bar-style laundry soap that is currently manufactured by the Dial Corporation. While it is primarily used for pre-treating laundry stains, it has also been found to be effective in treating poison ivy and other skin-irritating conditions.

The origins of Fels-Naptha soap date back to the late 19th century when it was first created by Fels & Company of Philadelphia. The original formulation included naptha, a flammable liquid derived from distilled petroleum. Naptha had various industrial applications, such as lubricating oil pipelines and processing high-octane gas and lighter fluid. Although the inclusion of naptha in Fels-Naptha soap enhanced its cleaning efficiency, it was eventually removed due to concerns about its potential carcinogenic properties. Nonetheless, even without the substance that gave it its name, Fels-Naptha soap remains an effective laundry aid and a popular ingredient in homemade laundry detergent recipes.

Now, let's explore two simple recipes for making laundry detergent using Fels-Naptha soap. The first recipe is for liquid laundry detergent, while the second is for powdered detergent.

Liquid Laundry Detergent Recipe with Fels-Naptha:

Ingredients:

- 1 cup of Borax

- 1 cup of washing soda

- Fels-Naptha bar soap

- Water

- Five-gallon bucket with a lid

- Essential oil for scent (optional)

Directions:

1. Start by grating the Fels-Naptha soap.

2. Fill a large pot with 4 cups of hot water.

3. Add the grated soap to the water and set the heat to medium-high. Stir continuously until the soap is completely melted, which usually takes around 10 minutes.

4. Fill the five-gallon bucket halfway with hot water.

5. Pour the soap mixture into the bucket while stirring.

6. Add the Borax and washing soda to the bucket, and continue stirring.

7. If desired, add half an ounce of essential oil for a pleasant scent.

8. Add more warm water to the bucket until it is completely full. Stir the contents once more, then secure the lid and let the mixture sit for 24 hours.

9. After 24 hours, you will notice that the mixture has a watery consistency with globs of gel. This texture will not affect its effectiveness in the washing machine. However, you can give the mixture a stir before using it if you prefer.

Powdered Laundry Detergent Recipe with Fels-Naptha:

Ingredients:

- 1 cup of washing soda

- 1 cup of Borax

- Fels-Naptha bar soap

Directions:

1. Thoroughly grate the Fels-Naptha soap into a large bowl.

2. Add 1 cup of Borax and 1 cup of washing soda to the grated soap.

3. Stir the ingredients until they are thoroughly mixed. If you prefer, you can use a food processor for this step. However, make sure to wash the food processor thoroughly with hot water and dish soap to remove all traces of the detergent before using it for food preparation.

4. Store the powdered detergent in an airtight container.

5. Use approximately two tablespoons of the powdered detergent per load of laundry.

Apart from using Fels-Naptha soap as a key ingredient in homemade laundry detergent, it can also be used as a standalone stain remover and pre-treatment for laundry. The soap is highly effective in removing various types of stains, including stubborn ones like grass, mud, blood, and red wine.

To use Fels-Naptha soap as a stain remover, wet one corner of the bar and rub it directly onto the stained clothing. Alternatively, you can use an old toothbrush, rub it into the bar of soap with a bit of water, and then scrub the stain with the toothbrush.

By making your own laundry detergent with Fels-Naptha soap, you not only have control over the ingredients you use, but you can also save money in the long run. Additionally, you'll be reducing your reliance on commercial detergents that often contain harsh chemicals and may have a negative impact on the environment. Give it a tryand enjoy the benefits of a cost-effective and eco-friendly laundry routine.