Keep your clothes smelling fresh and looking clean with this DIY laundry detergent recipe.
Known as “Mom’s Super Laundry Sauce,” this homemade solution has become a favorite for its ability to remove stubborn stains and odors. It’s a cost-effective way to keep your laundry spotless and fresh.
Mom’s Super Laundry Sauce Recipe
Based on the Whipped Laundry Concentrate
~ Yields 1/2 Gallon of Concentrate ~
~ That’s enough for 128 loads of laundry! ~
Ingredients:
- 1 full bar of Fels Naptha (Yes, you need the whole thing!)
- 1 cup of 20 Mule Team Borax
- 1 cup of Arm & Hammer Washing Soda (Remember, it’s Washing Soda, not Baking Soda!)
- 4 cups of hot water
Important Note:
Make sure to follow the instructions carefully. Adding the ingredients in the wrong order may result in a grainy texture, making it difficult to dissolve in the washing machine.
Step 1:
Begin by pouring 4 cups of water into a large, heavy saucepan and set it over high heat. While the water heats up, thoroughly mix the borax and washing soda in a bowl and set the mixture aside.
Step 2:
Next, grate the Fels Naptha soap. The quickest way is to cut the soap into smaller pieces and process them in a food processor. If you don’t have a processor, you can use a hand grater or carefully shave the soap with a knife.
Step 3:
Add the grated soap to the heated water in the saucepan, stirring constantly. Lower the heat to medium. It should take about 10–15 minutes for the soap to dissolve completely. If it’s taking longer, the heat might have been too low. Alternatively, you can melt the soap directly on the stove over low heat without water, then stir in the water afterward. However, melting it in the water is usually easier. Be careful not to let the mixture boil over, as it will create a mess of suds that is difficult to clean up!
The mixture should be kept at a rolling, simmering boil, where you must stir continuously, but it shouldn’t foam excessively or rise up the sides of the saucepan.
Step 4:
Once the soap is fully dissolved, remove the pan from the heat. Gradually stir in the borax and washing soda, continuing to stir until the powders are completely dissolved, which should take about 3–5 minutes. Be sure to stir thoroughly to avoid a grainy texture in your final product. You can check for “graininess” by feeling the bottom of the pan; once the mixture feels smooth, it’s ready.
Step 5:
Divide the liquid evenly between two 1-quart Mason jars.
Step 6:
Add just enough water to each jar to bring the contents up to the rounded shoulders of the jar, leaving about 1 ½ inches of headspace.
Step 7:
Seal the jars with their lids and turn them upside down. Let them sit for 4–5 hours. This allows the soap to separate into layers and form crystals at the bottom. By turning the jars upside down, you can easily incorporate these crystals in the next step. Note that if you leave the jars overnight, the soap may have a slightly grainier texture than if you whip it after 4 hours.