Powdered Laundry Soap

Powdered Laundry Soap

1 bar Fels Naptha soap, or 1 bar (14.1 oz) Zote soap (or ½ of each)

1 cup washing soda powder

1 cup baking soda

½ to 1 ½ cup borax (the lesser if dealing with sensitive skin)

30-40 drops essential oil (my favorite is ½ lavender and ½ orange)

Cut the bar of soap into large chunks (if needed, you can soften Fels Naptha by heating in the microwave for 25 seconds on a heat-safe plate).  Place the diced soap and other ingredients into a food processor using an S blade.  Process until mixed together well.  For storage, I use a flip top plastic container made by Sterilite (7 3/8 x 6 ½ x 4 ¾).  A double batch (with the lesser amount of borax) fits perfectly!

Use as little as 1 Tbsp. for maintenance loads (dirty but not filthy), and 2 Tbsp. (1/8 cup) per load for heavily soiled loads or hard water areas.

Variations:

• To replace either of these bars with another low-sudsing soap variety, such as Ivory or castille, double the bar amount.  Fels Naptha is made by Dial, so many stores have access to ordering it.

• If you miss the strong scent of commercial detergent, add in 2 cups of your favorite powdered brand to the above mixture, then increase the scoop size to 1/8 to ¼ cup, or 2-4 Tbsp.

• Instead of essential oil, experiment with a bar of mild fragranced soap as an add-in.

*****I just made a double batch with 1 bar Fels Naptha, 1 bar Ivory, and 1 bar Kirk's Castille.  Then added 40 drops of lemon essential oil.  Smells like summertime!