Old linens lay among the wood barrels near the slow & steady river. Her hands are pink with cold, but the lather of each scrub is a reminder of the blessings she holds that are worth the work. She keeps going. Scrubbing, humming, & full of gratitude. She hangs her garments & sheets on the line in the gentle sunlight, thankful for another provision we often take for granted.

Ingredients: Saponified Coconut Oil, Water, Rosemary Essential Oil (to preserve)

*  Each batch is made with sodium hydroxide & fully saponified, cured, & PH tested. There is no lye left in the final product.

Here are 2 different recipes for you! The first is liquid, & the second is powder (easier method).

LIQUID:

* 10 Gallons of laundry soap

Items needed:

• 1 Bar of the Cottage Laundry Bar
• 1 cup of Super Washing Soda
• 1 cup of Borax
• Water
• 5 gallon bucket with lid
• Saucepan

Directions:

1. Fill a 5 gallon bucket just under halfway with hot water. Add in the Super Washing Soda & Borax, stirring until dissolved.

2. Grate the soap bar (carefully!) & add it to a pan with 4 cups of water. Melt this over medium heat.

3. Once the soap is melted, add it to the bucket & stir! 

4. Cover the bucket & let this sit 24-48 hours. It will thicken into a gel.

5. Once the solution has gelled, fill the bucket up the rest of the way with water. You now have 5 gallons of concentrated laundry soap!

Keep the bucket of laundry detergent covered in your laundry room & simply stir the solution before each use. For extra cleaning power, add a scoop of enzyme laundry booster per load.

Make it easy! Use a smaller jar that has already been diluted 50/50 & is ready to pour into a load of laundry (I use a glass jar!). Use 1/2 cup per load (up to 3/4 if it's a big load!). Note that separation is natural & stirring is necessary before use (as well as to refill the diluted container if you're using one).

POWDER:

Items needed:

• 1 Cottage Laundry Bar
• 1.5 cups washing soda
• 1.5 cups borax
• Container/jar large enough to hold 4.5 cups

1. Carefully grate 1 cottage laundry bar.

2. Add to a food processor along with the 1.5 cups of washing soda & 1.5 cups borax.

3. Pulse until formed into a fine powder.

4. Keep in a dry container, use 2 tbsp. of powder per load of laundry.

For extra cleaning power, add a scoop of enzyme laundry booster per load.

Another tip: Buy 2 bars! Use one as a laundry detergent, & keep the other in bar form. The second bar can be used as a "stain stick". Simply wet the fabric with the stain, & scrub the area with the stain stick for a bit before throwing it in the wash.