Homemade Laundry Soap

Posted on July 12, 2015 by Shelby Miller, Doula

Homemade Laundry Soap

Skin Sensitivities ~ Eczema ~ Chemicals ~ Toxins ~ Carcinogens ~ Cost ~ Cloth Diapers

The above are just a few of the reasons I chose to make laundry soap for my family, rather than purchasing laundry detergent from the store. I have been making laundry soap for my family of seven for the last 3.5 years and I honestly cannot imagine how we used such awful products for so many years!

I have sensitive skin myself… Having a growing family I am always concerned about what I am exposing my babies too, and being mindful about properly caring for their very sensitive and new skin. Preventing skin allergens or eczema outbreaks was important to me.

Traditional detergents contains a rather scary “laundry list” of nasty ingredients. Many of which are toxic or carcinogenic to our bodies. They may smell “pretty,” but that smell comes from synthetic, artificial fragrances. I wanted to naturally scent my soap using my essential oils!

For a family of seven, we spent a GREAT deal of money (monthly / yearly) on detergent. Like most families, anyplace we could pinch pennies was something we were interested in pursuing. Cutting out this expense, almost completely, has been an amazing blessing to our family!

We also cloth diaper. So prior to making my own laundry soap, we were purchasing a detergent for our clothing AND a detergent for cloth diapers. Making my own soap, means this is no longer necessary. The chemicals found in almost all store bought detergents are not safe to use on cloth diapers. It can actually damage them, permanently!

My Tried & True Recipe

(This recipe makes enough soap to last 2.5 – 3 months for my family of seven)

This is safe for HE machines, I have used it in mine for the past 3 years.

It is also important to note, that with all natural soaps, there are no suds during the washing process!

Step 1) Ingredients you will need:

1 Cup – 20 Mule Team Borax (detergent booster)

1 Cup – Super Washing Soda (not baking soda)

2 Bars – Dr. Bonner’s Castille Bar Soap (any scent you would like… Lavender, Citrus Orange, baby un-scented).

You can also use Fels-Naptha ( This is a stronger soap base and is great on work clothes, but can be a bit harsh on baby skin.

Essential Oils for Cleansing, Purifying, and Scenting (Some of my favs – Orange, Lavender, Purify, OnGuard, and my husband likes Sandalwood)

Step 2) Kitchen Tools you will need:

Large Cooking Pot (non-Teflon)

A Long Handled Wooden Spoon & a Ladle (not pictured)

A Large Funnel

A Box Grater

A Glass Bowl

6 Containers (to store & use your soap) ( I use old orange juice containers)

You want about six containers for this recipe.

My laundry soap yields about 530 fl. oz.

Step 3) Mark containers and pre-fill with water:

To make the process quicker for me, I mark all of my containers with the starting amount of water.

This is about 45 – 50 fl. oz.

Here I have all 6 bottles.

Each filled with about 45 – 50 fl. oz.

Step 4) Personal Touch:

I then add the scent I’d like for this batch.

I tend to change it often, depending on season. On Guard during the Holidays, floral in the spring, etc.

We can do different scents in each bottle, to customize them to specific family members.

My husband loves sandalwood, I love lavender, and really like serenity for my children.

Essential Oils have been added to each bottle

Step 5) Grate Soap:

Fill your large stock pot with about 90 fl. oz. of water.

Put on the burner over med-high heat.

While the water is warming, grate your soap, just as if it were a block of cheese. =)

This quickens the melting process of the soap.

Step 6) Melt Soap:

Add grated soap to the pot.

Stir frequently as it melts.

Do not allow your pot to come to a full boil.

Step 7) Super Washing Soda:

Measure out 2 cups of Super Washing Soda.

Add to the melted soap water.

Stir it in so the soda powder is not sitting on the bottom of the pot.

Step 8) Borax:

Measure out 2 cups of Borax.

Add Borax to water, soap and soda mixture.

Again, stirring to mix well.

Step 9) Thicken:

Water will become very sudsy.

Stay nearby, stirring often, and controlling the temperature.

You want your pot to come just close to a boil, without actually coming to a boil.

Should it get to hot, or sit too long without being stirred, the mixture will rise right up out of your pot, and all over your stove!

This can happen VERY quickly! Let’s not ask me how I know this… 😉

Step 10) Transfer:

Once the laundry soap mixture has began to thicken up ( usually about 10 minutes) ( think brown gravy consistency), you can remove pot from heat.

Ladle soap mixture into pre-filled containers.

Ensure the funnel is aimed into the water, and not onto the sides of your container

The cool water in the container helps to off-set the temperature from hot mixture, and will cause it to thicken more (think, making pudding).

When filling your containers with soap, you want to leave enough empty space in each, to allow room for coagulation to occur.

Step 11) Cool:

Allow containers to sit for about 30 minutes with the caps off, to cool, before covering and storing for the night.

Step 12) Store Overnight:

As the mixture sits overnight, it will become very very thick!

In the morning, soap containers will have coagulated.

Step 13) Shake & Prep for Use:

You can shake the soap ( or stir with the handle of a wooden spoon).

Then top off the container with cool tap water, and shake again.

I tend to shake the container before each use.

I use 1/2 – 3/4 cup per load, depending on what I am washing.

Top 10 Toxic Chemicals to Eliminate Immediately From Your Daily Routine, on Your Journey Towards Going Green

Posted on July 7, 2013 by Shelby Miller, Doula

We are often not aware of what all of those difficult to pronounce “ingredients” are on the label of our favorite hygiene products. They make us “feel” clean, “smell” nice, and carry confidence in how we “look” to those around us.Years and years of use, and we may find ourselves being one of those people we here about, who was just diagnose with cancer, is no longer able to have children, who’s child was born with a very serious or life threatening birth defect, or the person who is in the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s, among numerous other decline health problems. Then comes the realization that we have actually spend years and years of our time and money on purchasing toxic chemicals to slowly deteriorate our bodies, in an attempt to feel, smell, and look our best.

Making it a point now, to become informed about the truths of the toxins we intentionally expose ourselves and our children to daily, and begin to slowly remove them from our daily routines and habits. Learn what they are, what their role and function is in our products, which of our products they can be found in, and what health related concerns they are associated with.

On the journey to becoming “green” we also can learn what “natural” alternatives we have in making better choices for ourselves and our families, and taking back control of our long term health and vitality.

Below is a list of the top 10 chemicals found in our every day hygiene products which we can begin to eliminate immediately! Alternatives are purchasing organic products from health and wellness stores, or simply making your own homemade products with the use of things like coconut oil and essential oils.

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~ For a FULL list of the 30 most toxic chemicals found in our products ~

The Dirt 30 – A List of Toxic Chemicals Found in Everyday Hygiene and Household Products

Photo Courtesy of Green Peace

1) SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE (SLS)
SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE (SLES)
2) AMMONIUM LAURYL SULFATE (ALS)
AMMONIUM LAURETH SULFATE (ALES)

Function:
Surfactant
Penetration enhancer
Helps to create lather

Present in:
Cosmetics
Shampoo
Mouthwash
Toothpaste
Various other personal care products

Health concerns:
Alters skin structure
Allows other chemicals to penetrate deep into the skin, inhibiting the skins ability protect
Makes it easier for other chemicals that reach the bloodstream
Irritant
Studies show strong negative effects on sensory organs

3) PARABENS (METHYL, ETHYL, PROPYL AND BUTYL)

Function:
Preservative
Anti-bacterial agent

Present in:
Cosmetics
Various other personal care products

Health concerns:
Alters hormone levels
Increases risk for certain types of cancer
Impairs fertility
Alteration of the development of a fetus or young child
Studies have found parabens in breast tumors
Probable skin toxicant
Studies show negative effects on the brain and nervous system

4) THE THREE T’s

TRICLOSAN (derivative of agent orange) (1% of 1 billion is highly toxic)

Function:
Anti-bacterial agent
Deodorant
Preservative
Biocide
Reduces and controls bacterial contamination on the hands and on treated products

Present in:
Antibacterial soaps
Hand sanitizer
Deodorants,
Toothpastes
Mouthwashes
Face wash
Various cleaning supplies
Restricted in Japan and Canada.

Health concerns:
Endocrine disrupter
Carcinogen; easily bio-accumulates to dangerous levels
Irritant
Studies show reproductive and other broad systematic effects
Potentially contaminated with impurities linked to cancer and other significant health problems
Studies have shown it can actually induce cell death when used in mouth washes
Scientists believe the run off down drains, into bodies of water and soil is one of the main causes for the proliferation of super bugs.

TOLUENE

Function:
Antioxidant
Solvent to improve adhesion and gloss

Present in:
Nail polish
Hair dye

Health concerns:
Highly toxic to liver and lungs
Developmental, nervous system and respiratory toxin
Cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, renal and sense organ toxin
Carcinogen and reproductive toxin
Irritant
Highly flammable

TALC

Function:
Absorbs moisture
Anti-caking agent
Bulking agent

Present in:
Blush
All forms of powder, including baby powder
Eye shadow
Deodorant

Health concerns:
Carcinogen
Linked to ovarian cancer
Talc particles are similar to asbestos particles
Respiratory Toxin
Data suggests that it can cause tumors in the lungs

5) PROPYLENE GLYCOL (main ingredient in anti-freeze!)

Function:
Solvent – wetting substance
Penetration enhancer
Conditions the skin
Controls viscosity
Keeps products from melting in high, or freezing in low, temps

Present in:
Cosmetics
Shampoo / conditioner
Toothpaste
Numerous personal care products
Some packaged foods
Ice cream – prevents ice crystals
Artificial sweeteners – humectant, preserving moisture, preventing mold and bacteria from developing
Icing / Frosting – alginate, causing your icing to foam

Health concerns:
Alters skin structure, allowing other chemicals to penetrate deep into the skin
Increase in the amount of other chemicals that reach the bloodstream
Studies show:
negative reproductive effects
Positive mutation results
Brain and nervous system effects
Endocrine disruption

6) OXYBENZONE (BENZPENONE-3) (product name, followed by neg (-) / pound (#) sign = synthetic)

Function:
Sunscreen Agent
Ultraviolet Light Absorber
UV Absorber
UV Filter

Present in:
Sunscreens
Makeup

Health concerns:
Associated with photoallergic reactions
Immunotoxicity
Carcinogen
Endocrine disrupter
Enhanced skin absorption and bioaccumulates to dangerous levels
Biochemical cellular changes
Developmental and reproductive toxicity
Found in breastmilk

7) LEAD and LEAD COMPOUNDS

Function:
Colorant

Present in:
Hair products – dye
Found in 60% of lipsticks (but it won’t be on the label)
Restricted in Canada

Health concerns:
Carcinogen
Developmental, respiratory, gastrointestinal and reproductive toxicant
Reduced fertility
Studies show metabolic, brain and nervous system effects
Suspected nano-scale ingredients with potential to absorb into the skin

8) ALUMINUM ZIRCONIUM and OTHER ALUMINUM COMPOUNDS

Function:
Used to control sweat and odor in the underarms by slowing down the production of sweat

Present in:
Antiperspirants
Banned by EU

Health concerns:
Linked to the development of Alzheimer’s Disease
May be linked to breast cancer
Neurotoxin
Nervous system, respiratory, and developmental toxin

9) PETROLEUM (PETROLATUM)

Function:
Forms barrier on skin
Makes lipsticks shine
Creams smoother
Inexpensive skin softener

Present in:
Cosmetics
Mineral oil
Baby oil
Lip care
Banned by EU

Health concerns:
May be contaminated with impurities
Linked to cancer or other significant health problems
Softens skin while damaging it in the process

10) PHTHALATES (DIBUTYL PHTHALATES)

Function:
Fragrance ingredient (labeled as “fragrance” or “parfum”)
Plasticizer (this chemical will actually soften plastics)
Solvent

Present in:
Numerous cosmetics
Various personal care products (including scented feminine hygiene products)
Banned in EU.

Health concerns:
Immune system toxicant
Developmental and reproductive toxin
Associated with kidney failure
Respiratory toxicant
Probable neurotoxin
Carcinogen
Endocrine disruptor
Bio-accumulative in wildlife

Reference Resources and additional Readers

Green Peace
Teens Turning Green
Environmental Working Group

The Dirty 30 ~ A List of Toxic Chemicals Found in Everyday Hygiene and Household Products

Posted on June 2, 2013 by Shelby Miller, Doula

1. CHEMICAL: ALUMINUM ZIRCONIUM and OTHER
ALUMINUM COMPOUNDSFunction: Used to control sweat and odor in the underarms by slowing down the production of sweat.Present in: Antiperspirants. Banned by EU.

Health concerns: Linked to the development of Alzheimer’s Disease; may be linked to breast cancer; probable neurotoxin; possible nervous system, respiratory, and developmental toxin.

2. CHEMICAL: BENZYL ACETATE

Function: Solvent; hidden within “fragrance.”

Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels.

Health concerns: Linked to pancreatic cancer; easily absorbs into skin causing quick systemic effects; animal studies show hyperemia of the lungs; possible gastrointestinal, liver, and respiratory toxicant; possible neurotoxin.

3. CHEMICAL: BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE and BENZETHONIUM CHLORIDEFunction: Antimicrobial agent, deodorant, preservative, biocide.

Present in: Moisturizer, sunscreen, facial cleanser, acne treatment, pain relief. Restricted in Japan and Canada.

Health concerns: Immune system toxicant; may trigger asthma; possible organ system toxicant; animal studies show endocrine disruption and brain, nervous system, respiratory and blood effects; possible carcinogen.

4. CHEMICAL: BRONOPOL

Function: Preservative.

Present in: Moisturizer, body wash, facial cleanser, makeup remover, anti-aging products. Restricted in Canada.

Health concerns: Immune system toxicant; lung and skin toxicant; animal studies show endocrine disruption and gastrointestinal, brain and nervous system effects; irritant.

5. CHEMICAL: BUTYL ACETATE

Function: Solvent in polishes and treatments, prevents chipping.

Present in: Nail polish and nail treatments.

Health concerns: Repeated exposure causes skin dryness and cracking; vapors may induce drowsiness or dizziness; flammable.

6. CHEMICAL: BUTYLATED HYDROXYTOLUENE (BHT)/ BUTYLATED HYDROXYANISOLE (BHA)

Function: Anti-Oxidant; slows down the rate at which product ingredients change in color.

Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels.

Banned by EU.

Health Concerns: Immune system toxicant; endocrine disruptor; probable human carcinogen; animal studies show brain, liver, neurotoxin, reproductive and respiratory toxicant.

7. CHEMICAL: ETHOXYLATED INGREDIENTS:CETEARETH/PEG COMPOUNDS

Function: Surfactant, emulsifying or cleansing agent, penetration enhancer.

Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels.

Health concerns: Animal studies show brain, nervous system and sense organ effects; irritant; reproductive and skin toxin, alters skin structure, allowing other chemicals to penetrate deep into the skin and increasing the amounts of other chemicals that reach the bloodstream; may contain harmful impurities.

8. CHEMICAL: COAL TAR

Function: Controls itching and eczema, softens and promotes the dissolution of hard, scaly, rough skin, also used in hair dyes.

Present in: Shampoo and Hair Dye. Banned by Canada and EU.

Health concerns: Known human carcinogen; skin and respiratory toxicant.

9. CHEMICAL: COCAMIDE DEA/ LAURAMIDE DEA

Function: used as foaming agents in shampoos and bath products, and as emulsifying agents in cosmetics; foaming and cleansing agents for “mouth feel.”

Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels.

Health concerns: Human immune system toxicant; forms carcinogenic nitrosamine compounds if mixed with nitrosating agents; animal studies show sense organ effects and skin irritation; may contain harmful impurities.

10. CHEMICAL: DIETHANOLAMINE (DEA)

Function: pH adjuster.

Present in: Sunscreen, moisturizer, foundation, hair color.

Health concerns: Skin and immune system toxicant; possible carcinogen; irritant; animal studies show endocrine disruption and neuro developmental, brain and nervous system effects; may trigger asthma.

11. CHEMICAL: ETHYL ACETATE

Function: Solvent.

Present in: Nail polish products, mascara, tooth whitening, perfume.

Health concerns: Probable neurotoxin; possible nervous system toxin; possible carcinogen; irritant; highly flammable

12. CHEMICAL: FORMALDEHYDE

Function: Disinfectant, germicide, fungicide, preservative.

Present in: Deodorant, nail polish, soap, shampoo, shaving cream. Restricted in Canada. Banned by EU.

Health concerns: Immune system, repertory, hematological, and skin toxicant; probable carcinogen and cardiovascular toxicant; can damage DNA; may trigger asthma; animal studies show sense organ, brain, and nervous system effects; possible human development toxicant.

13. CHEMICAL: FORMALDEHYDE-RELEASING PRESERVATIVES ( QUATERNIUM-15, DMDM HYDANTOIN, DIAZOLIDINYL UREA AND IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA, DEA, MEA, TEA)

Function: Anti-microbial preservative.

Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels.

Health concerns: Forms nitrosamines when in the presence of amines such as MEA, DEA and TEA; probable immune system, blood, cardiovascular and skin toxicant; possible carcinogen; animal studies show endocrine disruption, nervous system and organ system effects; may contain harmful impurities.

14. CHEMICAL: FRAGRANCE (PARFUM)

Function: Deodorant, masking, perfuming

Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels.

Health concerns: Immune system toxicant; possible neurotoxin; can contain between 10 and 300 different chemicals, many of which have never been tested for safety; see phthalates. Labeling can be confusing. If uncertain, check with manufacture.

15. CHEMICAL: HYDROQUINONE

Function: Antioxidant, fragrance ingredient, skin bleaching agent, hair colorant.

Present in: Skin fading/lightener, facial moisturizer, anti-aging, sunscreen, hair color, facial cleanser and moisturizer. Restricted in Canada.

Health concerns: Immune system and respiratory toxicant; probable neurotoxin; possible carcinogen; irritant; animal studies show endocrine disruption.

16. CHEMICAL: IODOPROPYNYL BUTYLCARBAMATE

Function: Preservative.

Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels. Restricted in Japan.

Health concerns: Human toxicant; possible liver immune system toxin; allergenic.

17. CHEMICAL: LEAD and LEAD COMPOUNDS

Function: Colorant.

Present in: Hair dye, hair products. Traces found in some red lipstick. Restricted in Canada.

Health concerns: Probable carcinogen; developmental, respiratory, gastrointestinal and reproductive toxicant; reduced fertility; animal studies show metabolic, brain and nervous system effects; suspected nano-scale ingredients with potential to absorb into the skin

18. CHEMICAL: METHYLISOTHIAZOLINONE (MI/MCI) and METHYLCHLOROISOTHAIZOLINONE

Function: Preservative.

Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels. Restricted in Canada and Japan.

Health concerns: Immune system toxicant; animal studies show restricted growth of the axons and dendrites of immature nerves, neurotoxicity and positive mutation results; can lead to a malfunction in the way neurons communicate with each other; especially detrimental to a developing nervous system.

19. CHEMICAL: Oxybenzone (BENZPENONE-3)

Function: Sunscreen Agent; Ultraviolet Light Absorber, UV Absorber; UV Filter.

Present in: Sunscreens and makeup

Health concerns: Associated with photoallergic reactions and immunotoxicity. Probable carcinogen and endocrine disrupter; Enhanced skin absorption and bioaccumulates to dangerous levels; biochemical cellular changes. Developmental and reproductive toxicity.

20. CHEMICAL: PARABENS (METHYL, ETHYL, PROPYL AND BUTYL)

Function: Preservative and anti-bacterial agent.

Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels.

Health concerns: May alter hormone levels, possibly increasing risk for certain types of cancer, impaired fertility, or alteration of the development of a fetus or young child; studies have found parabens in breast tumors; probable skin toxicant; animal studies show brain and nervous system effects.

21. CHEMICAL: PETROLATUM (PETROLEUM)

Function: Forms barrier on skin; makes lipsticks shine and creams smoother; inexpensive skin softener.

Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels. Banned by EU.

Health concerns: May be contaminated with impurities, linked to cancer or other significant health problems.

22. CHEMICAL: PHTHALATES (DIBUTYL PHTHALATES)

Function: Fragrance ingredient, plasticizer, solvent.

Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels. Banned in EU.

Health concerns: Immune system toxicant; developmental and reproductive toxin; respiratory toxicant; probable neurotoxin; possible carcinogen and endocrine disruptor; bio-accumulative in wildlife.

23. CHEMICAL: P-PHENYLENEDIAMINE (PPD)

Function: Hair colorant.

Present in: Hair dye, shampoo, hair spray. Restricted in Canada.

Health concerns: Immune system and respiratory toxicant; probable neurotoxin; eczema; possible nervous system, skin, kidney and liver toxicant; irritant; may trigger asthma and gastritis; shown to cause cancer in animal studies.

24. CHEMICAL: PROPYLENE GLYCOL

Function: Solvent, penetration enhancer, conditions skin, controls viscosity and keeps products from melting in high or freezing when it is cold.

Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels.

Health concerns: Alters skin structure, allowing other chemicals to penetrate deep into the skin and increasing the amounts of other chemicals that reach the bloodstream; animal studies show reproductive effects, positive mutation results, brain and nervous system effects and endocrine disruption.

25. CHEMICAL: SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE

Function: Surfactant, penetration enhancer.

Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels.

Health concerns: Alters skin structure, allowing other chemicals to penetrate deep into the skin, increasing the amounts of other chemicals that reach the bloodstream; Irritant; animal studies show sense organ effects.

26. CHEMICAL: TALC

Function: Absorbs moisture, anti-caking agent, bulking agent.

Present in: Blush, powder, eye shadow, baby powder, deodorant.

Health concerns: Carcinogen; link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer; talc particles are similar to asbestos particles and data suggests that it can cause tumors in the lungs; probable respiratory toxin;

27. CHEMICAL: TOLUENE

Function: Antioxidant, solvent to improve adhesion and gloss.

Present in: Nail polish and hair dye.

Health concerns: Liver toxin; probable developmental, nervous system and respiratory toxin; possible cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, renal and sense organ toxin; possible carcinogen and reproductive toxin; irritant; highly flammable;

28. CHEMICAL: TRICLOSAN

Function: Anti-bacterial agent, deodorant, preservative, biocide. Reduces and controls bacterial contamination on the hands and on treated products.

Present in: Antibacterial soaps, deodorants, toothpastes, mouthwashes, face wash and cleaning supplies. Restricted in Japan and Canada.

Health concerns: Probable endocrine disrupter and carcinogen; easily bio-accumulates to dangerous levels; irritant; animal studies show reproductive and other broad systematic effects; potentially contaminated with impurities linked to cancer and other significant health problems; studies have shown it can actually induce cell death when used in mouth washes.

29. CHEMICAL: TREITHANOLAMINE (TEA)

Function: Fragrance ingredient, pH adjuster, surfactant.

Present in: Hand & body lotion, shaving creams, soap, shampoo, bath powders and moisturizer.

Health concerns: Immune system toxicant; possible carcinogen; animal studies show endocrine disruption; may trigger asthma; forms carcinogenic nitrosamine compounds if mixed with nitrosating agents.

30. CHEMICAL: 1,4 DIOXANE

Function: Penetration enhancer

Present in: Body lotion, moisturizers, sunless tanning products, baby soap, anti-aging products..

Health concerns: EPA classifies it as a probable carcinogen found in 46 of 100 personal care products marketed as organic or natural, and the National Toxicology Program considers it a known animal carcinogen. Acute (short-term) inhalation exposure to high levels of 1,4 dioxane has caused vertigo, drowsiness, headache, anorexia and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and lungs of humans. It may also irritate the skin.

Teens Turning Green
Environmental Working Group