Cloth Diaper Laundry Soap

The recipe below originates from Crystal Miller's recipe for homemade laundry soap . You can visit this website for questions regarding the soap. This is a very inexpensive recipe and averages out to about $.01 per load.

Here is some information about the ingredients:

The Soap:  The most typical type of soap to use is Fels Naptha.  It is an old-fashioned type of soap usually found in the laundry aisle.  The other options for soap are Ivory or another brand called, Zote. Or you can use Kirk's Castile Soap which contains coconut oil and helps with yeast build up.  Any of these will work.  If you use Ivory/Kirk's Castile Soap or your own homemade soap you will need to use the whole bar.

Washing Soda: This is not to be confused with baking soda.  They are not the same thing.  Washing soda is sodium carbonate or soda ash (baking soda is sodium bicarbonate).  It is a white powder.  Its purpose is to help remove dirt and orders.   The brand to look for is Arm & Hammer Washing Soda.  I find it in the laundry section of my grocery store.   Many people have a hard time finding this locally.  I know you can purchase it on-line, even through Amazon.com.  I would also suggest asking your grocery store manager if it would be possible for the store to get it for you.

Borax: Borax is a naturally occurring mineral: Sodium Borate.  It is a white powder.  It’s purpose is as a laundry whitener and deodorizer. The brand to look for is 20 Mule Team.  It comes in a 76 oz. box.  You should be able to locate this in the laundry detergent aisle.  Again as with the washing soda, if you cannot find it ask you store manager or look online.

Homemade Laundry Soap
1/3 bar Fels Naptha soap or one whole bar of Ivory/Kirk's Castile Soap or homemade soap (I used Ivory)
1/2 cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
1/2 cup borax powder
water
2+ gallon bucket, for storing (I use an old laundry detergent bucket that has been cleaned and rinsed)

1. Grate the soap and place in a sauce pan. Add 6 cups of water and heat until the soap melts.

2. Add the washing soda and borax and stir until it is dissolved. Remove from heat.

3. Pour 4 cups of hot water into the bucket. Add the soap mixture and stir. Add 1 gallon plus 6 cups of water and stir.
4. Let soap sit for 24 hours before first use and it will gel.
5. Store your laundry detergent in the bucket, covered. (I put plastic wrap on the top of mine, and I also left my long plastic spoon in the soap to stir it briefly before each use.) Use 1/2 cup per load of clothes.
6. You can make the soap scented by adding some essential oil. My favorite is lavender. I add 1/4 tsp. for a light scent.



There is a downside to using a soap recipe. Soap can build up on the diapers after many washes. This is why many commercial diaper companies do not recommend using soap. I have found that the diapers just need to be stripped when this happens. You can strip your diapers using non-chlorine bleach. I do this every 6 months to a year. See Stripping Your GreenCheeks Diapers.

If your not up for making your own soap I am a really big fan of Crunchy Clean Laundry Cleaner . It works very well, has fabulous scents and doesn't cost an arm and leg that the commercial diaper companies sell for their cleaner. I have had some customers tell me Charlie's Soap is also a good brand for washing cloth diapers and is comparable in price to Crunchy Clean. It is also more readily avaliable at stores and online.

If you have any questions please feel free to ask.