🧺 Homemade Laundry Soap
Frugal and Eco-Friendly with Fels-Naptha
🧺 Fels-Naptha soap, Borax, and Washing Soda — the perfect trio for homemade laundry soap!
📌 In This Article
"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. The process 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.
🧼 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.
💡 Did you know? 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.
💧 Liquid Laundry Detergent Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Borax
- 1 cup washing soda
- Fels-Naptha bar soap
- Water
- Five-gallon bucket with a lid
- Essential oil for scent (optional)
Directions:
- Grate the soap: Start by grating the Fels-Naptha soap into fine flakes.
- Melt the soap: Fill a large pot with 4 cups of hot water. Add the grated soap and set the heat to medium-high. Stir continuously until the soap is completely melted, which usually takes around 10 minutes.
- Prepare the bucket: Fill the five-gallon bucket halfway with hot water.
- Combine: Pour the soap mixture into the bucket while stirring.
- Add dry ingredients: Add the Borax and washing soda to the bucket, and continue stirring.
- Add scent (optional): If desired, add half an ounce of essential oil for a pleasant scent.
- Fill and rest: 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.
- Use: 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. Give the mixture a stir before using it if you prefer.
💡 Pro Tip: Use ½ to 1 cup of this liquid detergent per load. It's concentrated, so a little goes a long way!
🧂 Powdered Laundry Detergent Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup washing soda
- 1 cup Borax
- Fels-Naptha bar soap
Directions:
- Grate the soap: Thoroughly grate the Fels-Naptha soap into a large bowl.
- Combine ingredients: Add 1 cup of Borax and 1 cup of washing soda to the grated soap.
- Mix thoroughly: Stir the ingredients until they are thoroughly mixed. If you prefer, you can use a food processor for this step. 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.
- Store: Store the powdered detergent in an airtight container.
- Use: Use approximately 2 tablespoons of the powdered detergent per load of laundry.
✨ Fels-Naptha as a Stain Remover
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.
Direct Application
Wet one corner of the bar and rub it directly onto the stained clothing. Let it sit for a few minutes, then wash as usual.
Toothbrush Method
Use an old toothbrush, rub it into the bar of soap with a bit of water, and then scrub the stain with the toothbrush.
✨ Why Make Your Own Laundry Detergent?
Save Money
Store-bought laundry detergent is expensive. With just $20 in raw materials, you can make hundreds of loads of laundry detergent.
Reduce Chemicals
You control exactly what goes into your detergent. No harsh chemicals, artificial fragrances, or unnecessary additives.
Eco-Friendly
Less packaging waste, fewer chemicals entering waterways, and a smaller carbon footprint. Better for the planet and your family.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is Fels-Naptha safe for sensitive skin?
Many people with sensitive skin use Fels-Naptha without issues. However, if you have particularly sensitive skin, consider wearing gloves when handling the soap or use an alternative like Kirk's Castile soap.
❓ Can I use this in HE (High-Efficiency) washing machines?
Yes! Both the liquid and powdered recipes are safe for HE machines. Just use the recommended amounts — 2 tablespoons for powder, ½-1 cup for liquid.
❓ How long does homemade laundry detergent last?
Both versions will last for up to a year when stored properly in airtight containers. The powder version may last even longer.
❓ Can I add essential oils to the powdered version?
Yes! Add 10-15 drops of your favorite essential oil to the mixture and stir well. Lavender, lemon, and tea tree are popular choices.
❓ Is this safe for septic systems?
Yes! The ingredients (Borax, washing soda, and soap) are all septic-safe when used in recommended amounts.
❓ Can I use other soap bars instead of Fels-Naptha?
Yes! Zote, Kirk's Castile, or even Dr. Bronner's bars work well. Just make sure it's a pure soap, not a detergent bar.
📄 Printable Recipe Card
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║ HOMEMADE LAUNDRY SOAP WITH FELS-NAPTHA ║
║ Frugal & Eco-Friendly Cleaning ║
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LIQUID RECIPE (makes ~5 gallons):
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Borax
- 1 cup washing soda
- Fels-Naptha bar soap
- Water
- Essential oil (optional)
Directions:
1. Grate Fels-Naptha soap.
2. Melt in 4 cups hot water (10 min).
3. Fill 5-gallon bucket halfway with hot water.
4. Add melted soap mixture.
5. Add Borax and washing soda, stir.
6. Add essential oil if desired.
7. Fill bucket with warm water.
8. Let sit 24 hours.
9. Use ½-1 cup per load.
POWDERED RECIPE (makes ~2 cups):
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Borax
- 1 cup washing soda
- Fels-Naptha bar soap
Directions:
1. Grate Fels-Naptha soap finely.
2. Combine with Borax and washing soda.
3. Mix thoroughly.
4. Store in airtight container.
5. Use 2 Tbsp per load.
STAIN REMOVER: Wet bar and rub directly on stains.
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© CanningRebels — Homemade Laundry Soap with Fels-Naptha | Frugal & Eco-Friendly
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