Want to learn how to make laundry soap bar following the old laundry soap bar recipe that our grannies used? Continue reading.
Discovering how to make your own laundry soap bars can be both economical and satisfying. This simple recipe offers a step-by-step guide to creating effective laundry soap bars that are gentle on fabrics and the environment. By using common ingredients and following these instructions, you can craft quality detergent bars tailored to your household’s needs. Let’s dive into the process and start making your own laundry soap bars today!
How To Make Laundry Soap Bar
Laundry soap bar is made through a chemical reaction between the fat and an alkaline hydroxide (caustic soda or lye). Traditionally, women would use leftover fats such as tallow, lard, margarine, butter, or oil that have not turned rancid or spoiled and caustic soda to make these soap bars.
Beware! Caustic soda is a highly corrosive acid that can cause chemical burns, and may induce permanent blindness upon contact with the eyes! Therefore, it is essential to always wear protective equipment such as rubber gloves, safety clothing, and eye protection when handling and using with this chemical to make laundry soap.
Laundry Soap Bar Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 kg / 35 oz of leftover fat (or coconut oil)
- 200 g caustic soda (lye)
- 1 liter/ 4 cups of water
Instructions
Before doing anything, use eye protection (goggles), put on a mask to cover your face, and a pair of heavy-duty gloves (not latex) to prevent any accidents during the process of making soap with lye.
- Pour the water into a 6-8 liter (1.5-2 gallon) stainless steel pot (which will be used for this purpose ONLY afterwards!) and combine it with the caustic soda.
- Once the soda has dissolved, put the pot on the heat, and add the fat to it, stirring continuously but very gently to not make splashes.
- Continue boiling on medium heat for 2-3 hours until the mixture starts to saponificate (you will smell the specific laundry soap odor.)
- Allow the mixture to cool down a bit.
- Pour the soap into large wooden boxes or molds lined with parchment paper for easy removal.
- After 24 hours, remove the soap from the mold, cut it into pieces, and let them dry.
Caution! Take the pot of hot soap by its handles using a dry cloth or a pair of heat-resistant gloves to prevent burning.
Laundry Soap Bar Recipe Tips
If you want to make a scented laundry bar soap, add a handful of fresh or dried herbs like wormwood, lavender, rose petals, lilac, etc., to the water while boiling (at step 1). Alternatively, you can add a few drops of your preferred pure essential oils after the mixture has cooled, before pouring it into the molds. You can even add some organic dye to add colors to your bars if you don’t like the natural color of the soap.
Read Also: 9 Natural Ways to Clean Bathroom and Cheap
Making your own laundry soap bars is a rewarding and practical skill that can save you money and reduce waste. With this straightforward recipe, you can create effective and eco-friendly soap bars tailored to your needs. If you’ve enjoyed learning how to make laundry soap bars at home, please share the recipe. Happy soap making!
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