Make your own laundry soap at home. Combine half a bar of grated Fels Naptha soap with two pints water. Heat on low until melted. Stir in 1/2 cup Borax and 1/2 cup washing soda (found in the laundry aisle) and remove from heat. Pour the mixture into a large bucket and add enough water to make two gallons. Let the mixture stand overnight until it thickens. Use one cup per load.

__________________
Check out the Mommysavers Fan Page on Facebook
Frugal Tweets! Follow Mommysavers on Twitter
Preorder the NEW Mommysavers.com Book: Instant Bargains

I have never heard of Fels Naptha soap. Can you buy that at Target or Walmart?

I have purchased it at Walmart in the past. It's also been said that if you wash with Fels Naptha after coming into contact with poison ivy/oak you won't break out in a rash.

__________________
Check out the Mommysavers Fan Page on Facebook
Frugal Tweets! Follow Mommysavers on Twitter
Preorder the NEW Mommysavers.com Book: Instant Bargains

i have heard people say that homemade soaps can gum up your washer anyone experience that?

__________________
SILENCE IS GOLDEN BUT DUCK TAPE IS SILVER.

How does this do for people with sensitive skin/allergies? I want to start making a lot of my own cleaning supplies, but laundry makes me nervous because of the history of ecxema in our family.

__________________
America's future will be determined by the home and the school. The child becomes largely what he is taught; hence we must watch what we teach, and how we live.
-Jane Addams, 1860-1935

I highly recommend Charlie's Soap for ecxema. No, I don't get paid for pushing it but I love using it As far as I know, you can only buy it directly from the website. I purchased a 5 gallon bucket.. hopefully it will last awhile.

I did hear about the charlie's soap here, and I've seen it mentioned on other sites as well. I'm liking it - I'm not having that problem w/ the soap not dissolving anymore, and I have sensitive skin, so no breakouts. I tried that homemade fels naptha thing a few years back and found it to be a bit of work (grating), the soap gelled weirdly, and it didnt dissolve in the washer. My DH hated it too. We do not use any fabric softener other than vinegar in the wash, and I've noticed my clothes/towels are starting to feel softer with that Charlie's soap. Not sure why.

__________________

...About not using any softner or sheets with it. It also takes the sour smell out of towels.

Thanks for all the input! I'll look into it. Anything that takes the sour smell out of towels is worth checking out! I've been having good luck with Arm and Hammer powder but it's not terribly good at removing odor.

__________________
America's future will be determined by the home and the school. The child becomes largely what he is taught; hence we must watch what we teach, and how we live.
-Jane Addams, 1860-1935

About the only thing that works for me to get that sour smell out is bleach- I'm willing to try new though !