I Made My Own Laundry Soap

1.) The Ingredients for the Homemade Laundry Soap

2.) The Ivory Soap that I cut with my own two hands,

well actually, I cut it with the scissors

3.) The cut up Ivory Soap is simmering

4.) The soap and water are getting to a

"bubblage" stage

(a word coined by Robyn)

5.) Every things added except the extra gallon and a half of water

6.) 5 hours later it's really gellin',

gellin' like a felon,

I had to say that. Hee!Hee!

As I'm putting this gel into containers my 2 year old, Jace, says "Uck!"

I read about making your own laundry soap from my Brown ShoeBox Swap partner's Blog. Robyn has a tutorial on her blog, Where the Boys Are, about how to make your own Laundry Soap. I was intrigued!

Mainly because:

1. I do laundry
2. I do a lot of laundry
3. I use laundry detergent
4. I use quite a bit of laundry detergent
5. I have nothing better to do than make my own laundry soap
6. I could save some money on laundry detergent to make up for the craft stuff that I buy!

I do have a couple of questions that I've been asking myself though. So, maybe IF somebody reads this they can leave a comment and answer my questions. Okay??

1. The directions on the Borax Natural Laundry Booster and the Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda both say to add like 1/2 cup to you laundry ALONG with your regular laundry detergent to help aid in cleaning. How does this laundry soap work then if you only add 1/2 - 3/4 cup of each the Borax and Arm & Hammer to the whole 2 gallons that you make. I don't get that. You get 64 loads out of the same 1/2 cup of each of the items that you add to 1 regular load of laundry "as an additive"??????? Please explain this one to me!!! I don't get it??????
2. Okay, I melted the Ivory Bar Soap and then as soon as you add the Borax and the Arm & Hammer powder there is an instant gel. Why does it gel?? Again, I don't understand this and why does such a small amount of soap turn all that water into such a thick gel??? I'm no a scientist, but I am very curious. ?????

So anyway, I made the soap earlier tonight. Actually, it was kind of enjoyable (even if I don't fully understand it). I had the kitchen window open (we finally had a nice spring day!) while I cooked the soap and washed dishes. My kitchen had the nicest aroma of fresh spring air and Ivory Soap. What more could a girl ask for!! I'll let you know how it works, I have enough of my store bought detergent (I say that now like it is a dirty word!) left for a load or two. So, I'll start on the new homemade stuff tomorrow. I feel so domesticated right now!!

Oh yeah, I also found a video where a lady is making basically the same type of soap in her kitchen http://www.metacafe.com/w/821928/ . Oh, 1 more thing, I added 2 bars of the Ivory Bar Soap instead of one

1. I like the smell of Ivory Soap
2. I have a bed wetter and anything extra I can to help take away the smell of the urine is more than welcome. Maybe I should have added some vinegar and cut out part of the water?? I guess that will give me something to think about!