Mennonite Girls Can Cook: Homemade Laundry Soap

About a year ago, my friend Stephanie mentioned she had found a recipe on the internet for homemade laundry soap.  We bought the supplies and we have been making our own laundry soap ever since.


The original recipe I tried came from the blog called "Old School Self Reliance 101." This recipe was good but I found one I like better. It came from the  "Mennonite Girls Can Cook" blog.  http://www.mennonitegirlscancook.ca/ 

If you have never tried making your own laundry soap, give it a try. It takes only about 10 minutes and is so easy! And for just a few dollars you will get 5 gallons of liquid laundry soap that can be used in both the regular washing machines and the new more energy effecient ones.

Homemade Laundry Soap

• 1 sunlight bar grated into a medium saucepan
• 4 cups hot tap water
• 1 cup Washing Soda
• 1/2 cup Borax
• 1 five gallon pail

1. Melt the Sunlight bar over medium heat . . stirring the whole time.
2. Dump it into a 5 gallon pail and add the Washing Soda and the Borax. Stir well.
3. Add hot water to the pail to come to a few inches to the top of the pail.
4. Stir well. ( I use a broom handle)
5. Let sit overnight and give it a good stir. It will jell a bit.
6. Fill empty laundry soap containers.
7. For my front load washer I use 1/4 cup.
8. For top load washers you will use closer to 1/2 cup.

You will need to experiment with your loads. Dirty loads need more detergent than light loads. I use it on my dirtiest farm laundry and on my delicates with equal satisfaction.

One of their readers said they added a half a small bottle of Dawn dish detergent to the recipe to help with grease spots. I did the same. I used the New Zealand Springs scent and it made the detergent smell wonderful.

First of all I'd like to apologize for not updating my blog in a few months. I really didn't think anyone was following it. Well I found out, I was wrong.  Thanks to all who visit it!

I have so many talents clients. They make some wonderful quilt! I thought I would share a few of their projects.

This lovely baby quilt was made by Linda N. for her new grandson. The appliqued pictures are original designs and each has a special meaning to her son.

Donna O. made this beautiful Flower Garden quilt with help from her mother. It contains fabrics she collected as well as fabric from clothing.

Diane B made this quilt called Holiday Flourish. In addition she made 3 more of the same quilt in different colors for her grandchildren.

Diane's sister Helen passed away with some unfinished projects. Diane completed all of them. I'm sure the recipients really appreciate all her hard work. Here is one of the  completed quilts.

Each of us have someone special in our lives that we just have to make a quilt for. This one by Judy D. is one of those quilt.

I love this next quilt made by Gloria. F. I just love the pattern and hope to make one someday. I sure hope mine will look half as good as Gloria's.

Here are a few close ups of Gloria's quilt.

This beauty was made by Karen B,