Oh my, y’all! There’s nothing like procrastination is there? You’d think with all this time in quarantine that I’d have plenty of extra time to write, but not so! Daily life during quarantine is much the same as usual, with the exception of taking sweet girl to her three weekly classes. Since I’m on an a indefinite leave from my nursing career to mother and homeschool our daughter, my days are mostly unchanged. So, here we are on the final day of March, and I’m just now sharing the homemade laundry soap recipe I promised earlier.

Ingredients:

• 1/8 bar of Fels-Naptha soap, grated
• 1/2 gallon water
• 1/8 cup borax
• 1/8 cup washing soda
• Essential oils, optional

Method:

• Grate the entire bar of soap. Set aside 1/8 of the bar to use. Store the rest for future batches. I go ahead and divide the remaining soap into 1/8’s so they’re ready to use immediately next time.
• Pour half of the water (1/4 gallon) into a large stock pot. Sprinkle in the grated soap. Heat over medium heat and stir until all the soap flakes are melted.
• Remove the soap/water mixture from the heat. Gently stir in the borax, washing soda, and remaining 1/4 gallon water until combined.
• Add in 25 drops essential oils. You may use your preference of oils. I usually use lavender.
• Cover the mixture with a lid, plastic wrap, or a tea towel, and let it sit 8 hours or overnight.
• After curing, the mixture will be thick and gelled. Stir well. You may divide into batches and use a mixer to mix well. Mister Burke puts my soap into a 5-gallon bucket and mixes it with power tools for me. It works quickly and is still clean!
• Once, it’s thoroughly mixed, you’ll pour the detergent into containers and fill halfway. I prefer using glass jars, but depending on your oil choice, plastic works as well. Fill the rest of the way with water and stir again to combine. And voila! Fresh-smelling, non-toxic, inexpensive laundry detergent!