Jennifer Lea writes for jlogged.com, and is co-owner of 
On making your own laundry soap…
A while back I tried this laundry soap recipe. (Thanks again Kate for being the brave one to try it first.) I made mine in a five gallon plastic water cooler with a spigot, but like to store them in smaller, more manageable containers. My mom came up with the brilliant idea of retrieving the big 2 and 1/2 gallon containers people throw away at laundry mats.
So, yeah, now my husband has one more frugal tick to be embarrassed about. His wife now pilfers things from the trash at the wash-o-mat too. But lately we have scored lots of freebies destined for a landfill. Our food vendor friend hooked us up with 21 loaves of multigrain bread, and a case of pizza. Then our church had a dinner theater last night, and had gads of food left over. We are talkin’ roasted half chicken, new potatoes, salad, and bread. It was Yum-O, and will fed us for lunch today and tomorrow. I was baffled at why no one took some home when it was offered repeatedly. Aaron said “because no one wants to be pegged as the cheapo.” Ha, that is a role I will never get tired of playing. It saves me from cooking way to often, and no one (A. included) will complain about that!
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September 30th, 2007 at 5:35 pm
I was just talking to your mother yesterday about making the detergent. Would you put the recipe back on or send it to me? Linda
September 30th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
Hi Linda! So glad you stopped by
Just click on the words in the above article that say “this laundry soap.” It should take you to the original link.
You can come over and I can show you how to make it if you want?
September 30th, 2007 at 8:20 pm
PS: and if you want bread…boy do I have bread.
October 1st, 2007 at 6:26 pm
Cheapo + Frugal = SMART.
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:10 pm
Cheapo? Cheapo? Is that his subtle way of rising up and calling you blessed? So glad to find another kindred spirit in the frugal lifestyle. I\’ll have to look into the homemade laundry soap. Never heard of it!
October 10th, 2007 at 10:14 am
Correction, the freebie food from church fed us about four times. It’s final use was in broccoli, potato, cheese soup as the flavorful base. Leftover wizardry is a great practical skill to have
October 13th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
I read your laundry soap recipe before, and I want to try it, but my husband is very skeptical. Do you really think it works as well as commercial laundry soap?
I grew up with a frugal mom and it drove me crazy, but I find myself being more and more like her as I get older. Most everything in my house was bought at a thrift store or garage sale, but unlike my parents, I do splurge on nice things sometimes.