Did Not Turn Out Like It Should

14 years ago

Yesterday I decided to make another batch of laundry soap as I was just about out of it. I emptied up a five gallon bucket I had in the garage and mixed up the soap and water until it dissolved. Then I poured it into the bucket and added the Borax and the washing soda and stirred and took it upstairs to the bathroom where my washer and dryer are. I put it into the tub and added the required hot water and stirred and put the lid on. This morning I opened it up to stir it and the bucket was empty! I have the cleanest bathtub drain ever! So do not ever make your soap in a bucket with a crack. Thank goodness it was setting in the tub.

Sue

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Comments (19)

bee0hio
14 years ago
Well that's a bummer. Fortunately the ingredients are inexpensive so you didn't spend a lot of $$ getting that cleanest-ever-drain.
Jasdip
14 years ago
OMG Sue! All I could picture was my detergent seeping out of my pail and all over the bedroom carpet.....
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ruthieg__tx
14 years ago
Ha Ha .....I just bought all the supplies to make some. I will make sure it is in a bucket without holes.

Has anyone here just made to powder form of the homemade...where you grate the soap and mix it with the other stuff? Does it work as well...seems like it would be easier to make and easier to store.
patti43
14 years ago
LOL! Sorry you went to all that trouble, but at least you have a shiny, clean drain.
marie_ndcal
14 years ago
Sue-I am sorry you went to so much work to make a product you like.. Am glad it was in a tub so you did not have it all over. Sometimes those leaks are so tiny it is hard to see. I have had that happen when I clean out the fish tank. Put water in pail, pick up pail, drip, drip, drip --run outside, than splash! Pail into to trash!
Have a great day.
Marie
ghoghunter
14 years ago
Marilyn..what is the exact recipe you use for your soap? What kind of products do you use?
Joann
Fun2BHere
14 years ago
Sorry I'm laughing, but I know you must have done a classic double-take at the empty bucket.
Marilyn Sue
Original Author
14 years ago
I use Jasdip's recipe.

4 cups hot water, I bring it to a boil before I add the
1 bar of grated soap
She uses Sunlight and I use Fels Naptha, I turn my burner down really low after I put in my grated soap, stir and just stir every once in awhile until it is all the way melted into the water. I grate mine in the food processor and do several bars at a time, keeping them separate in sandwich bags after grating.

After the soap is melted I then pour it into my five gallon bucket and add the following...

1/2 cup Borax
1 cup washing soda

Stir well and then fill the bucket with hot water and stir and cover and let sit overnight. Stir and I do not dilute mine any more than that. Jasdip's recipe says to fill up empty detergent jugs half full and fill with water and shake before each use. She uses 1/2 cup. I either leave it in the bucket or just fill up the detergent jug and add no water. I only use 1/4 cup. It should be very thick and jelled after it sets, till you stir it up well. I think Jasdip's recipe is posted somewhere on the Kitchen Table. I have made this recipe over 15 times.

Sue
Georgysmom
14 years ago
Thank goodness it was in a tub. It could have been a whole lot worse!
sheilajoyce_gw
14 years ago
I have made the dry recipe as I could store the dry easier. My washer and dryer sit in the entrance to the garage, and there isn't room for a large bucket there.

Reminds me of--

"There's a hole in the bucket, Eliza, Eliza..."
jannie
14 years ago
I had a watering can like that. I'd fill it up with water from the hose, quickly run to the plants that needed a drink, hoping it wouldn't all leak out. I finally bought a new watering can this Spring.
joyfulguy
14 years ago
Poor Sue,

After all of that effort ... and then to stare into an empty bucket!

... you must feel drained, yourself!

ole joyful

P.S. One bright spot is that the kids won't need to worry about getting their mouths washed out with soap, for a while, for using naughty words.

o j
fran1523
14 years ago
That is a really funny story but thank goodness it was in the tub. I tried the dry version and wasn't thrilled with it. Although the Fels Naptha was grated I never felt like it dissolved thoroughly. A food processor might have worked better but I don't own one.
Jasdip
14 years ago
I've read that the dry isn't as efficient as the liquid. Much harder to dissolve the flakes in the wash. I much prefer the liquid.

I have friends that make the liquid in smaller amounts, using a kitty litter bucket, for storing purposes. This also works in septic tanks, and front end loaders. Because it doesn't make suds, it's completely safe for FL washers.
susanjf_gw
14 years ago
my luck it would have been all over the floor!
nanatricia
14 years ago
That is to funny and to sad!!! I do make the dry one and I like it just as well .A lot easier to make.
kacram
14 years ago
lol
I'm sorry about all the work you did,
but it IS funny!
dedtired
14 years ago
Wish I could have seen your face when you opened that bucket. Shouldn't laugh, but I can't help it.
OklaMoni
14 years ago
I didn't laugh, I just went Oh my god!

So sorry it all went down the drain... but so glad, you left the bucket in the bathtub.

Moni

Did Not Turn Out Like It Should

Comments (19)

bee0hio

Jasdip

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Did Not Turn Out Like It Should

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