Laundry soap oils

[SuperPhat]

Does anyone make laundry soap? I have a customer who would like me to make some for her. I'm going to do a batch of 100% lard, but she has customers who are muslim and jewish and would have a problem with lard. What other oils would you use?

 

[MikeInPdx]

Well.....the one thing I've found that works as well is palm. That can open another can of worms with sustainability but you can always use sustainable palm oil.

The trans fat soybean/cottonseed oil shortening (like old Crisco) also does a good job, with maybe some coconut to buck up grease fighting.

 

[SoapPoopette]

Some have also used coconut oil and palm kernel oil since they are on the cleansing side anyway.

 

[Lil Outlaws]

I make laundry detergent but it's powdered so no oils here..

 

[SoapMom]

How do you make powered laundry detergent? That sounds like fun!

 

[MikeInPdx]

I grab a grater and shred my soaps and then use this recipe...

1 lb grated soap
1 lb baking soda
1/2 lb washing soda
1/2 lb borax

If you have a food processor to pulverize the mixture after you stir it.....all the better! (put a damp towel over the food processor.....this stuff makes dust).

 

[Lil Outlaws]

My detergent is soap and borax free, so it's safe for cloth diapers. For a heavier duty version (mechanic's clothes, etc.) I can add borax to it.

Mine is baking soda, washing soda, and oxy.

I make it in big batches so it works out to

20lb (4, 5lb containers) washing soda
16lb (4, 4lb containers) baking soda
8lb (4, 2lb containers) oxy or similar..

so I make 44lb batches and do this several times a week LOL

I assume you could easily break this into 1/4s and do 5lb washing soda, 4lb baking soda, 2lb oxy..

 

[SoapMom]

What is washing soda and oxy? I've never heard of washing soda

 

[Lil Outlaws]

washing soda is sodium carbonate and oxy is sodium percarbonate

 

[SoapMom]

Oh! Thanks for the tips. I'm going to have to try that! Its sounds cool!!

 

[SuperPhat]

I didn't realize borax was bad for cloth diapers. I use cloth diapers so I'm thinking I should have known this before

So, do you think more people are interested in handmade laundry soap that doesn't have cold processed soap in it, or that it doesn't matter either way?

 

[Lil Outlaws]

yes borax is horrible for them. And fwiw I have never had a cd customer who wanted it with soap. However I sell 100 - 200 pounds of my version every week, sometimes more.