Laundry: it’s a vicious cycle! As soon as I think I’ve got it all done and under control, there’s another load to do. The only thing I can get excited about regarding laundry is if it can somehow be made easier or cheaper.

I haven’t been able to figure out how to get it done any quicker or easier, but I have been able to make it cheaper!

I’ve been making my own laundry soap for about three years now. I originally saw people making laundry soap on a TV program, and when I saw what went into making it I knew there was no way I was going to be standing over a stove stirring a big pot of muck. The only way I was going to make my own laundry soap is if it was cheap, easy, and it cleaned well. This laundry soap recipe fits the bill!

It’s ludicrously cheap and easy to make. I figured it costs approximately $1.62 for each batch, which comes out to around 5¢ a load. And, it only takes 3 ingredients that you can simply whiz together in your food processor.

Recipe:

• 2 Cups of Bar Soap (I use Ivory soap, and 2 bars is just about perfect. You can also use fels naptha. I tried it, but didn’t notice any difference in the cleanliness of my clothes so I went back to Ivory since it’s cheaper)
• 1 Cup of Borax
• 1 Cup of Washing Soda

Directions:

Coarsely chop the soap and then put all of the ingredients in your food processor. Mix together in your processor for a couple of minutes. Throw it in a container and use 2 tablespoons for each load of laundry. Sometimes I’ll use a little more for a large load of laundry or one that is heavily soiled.

Usually I make 4 or 5 batches at a time, so I have laundry soap that will last me for several months.