Here's the link for Laundry Stain Stick... ~delisa
http://frugallysustainable.com/2012/04/homemade-laundry-stain-stick/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+FrugallySustainable+%28Frugally+Sustainable%29
Homemade Laundry Stain Stick
I call the following soap recipe my Laundry Stain Stick — and it is crazy amazing at cleaning all sorts of stains – but I also use it when making laundry detergent and my liquid dish soap. The reduced percentage of excess fat and the inclusion of eucalyptus and lemon essential oils give this soap serious grease/stain cutting ability.
Ingredients
-2 pounds lard
-4.39 ounces lye
-10 ounces water
-1 ounce eucalyptus essential oils, optional
-1/2 ounce lemon essential oils, optional
Hot Processed Method
1. Measure the lye and water — each in separate bowls. Note: Run your recipe through a lye calculator to be sure that you are using the proper amount of lard, lye, and liquid.
2. Carefully combine the lye and water by pouring the lye into the water (never pour the water into the lye) and stir liquid until lye is completely dissolved. The liquid is caustic and not to be touched in anyway. The outside of the bowl will be extremely hot as well. Note: Be careful when working with lye and follow all of the recommended precautions. What I’m trying to say is, I can not be held responsible for any craziness, mishaps, explosions, etc. that may happen when making this recipe.
3. Allow the lye mixture to stay under a vent and cool down while you prepare the lard.
4. Measure the lard by weight and then place in a crock pot to melt on low heat.
5. Once melted, add the lye/liquid mixture to the lard in the crock pot and stir. Note: Any equipment the lye touches needs to be neutralized in a mixture of white vinegar, soap, and water.
6. After a brief stir, grab your stick blender and get to work! Blend the lard and liquid in the crock pot for at least 3-5 minutes. We are working toward ”trace.”
7. Blend until the mixture becomes a thick, pudding like consistency.
8. Once the mixture is pudding-like, cover the crock pot and “cook” the soap for approximately 1 hour.
9. Prepare your molds. I just use a standard loaf pan lined with parchment paper and it’s always worked perfectly.
10. Just before pouring “cooked” soap into molds stir in the essential oils (if using).
11. Spoon soap mixture into molds.
12. Allow soap to cool and harden for 24 hours.
13. Remove from mold on to cutting board and cut into bars.
14. Place bars on a tray with good airflow so that they can harden further. But go ahead and use your first bar!!!
To Use
To use the laundry stain stick simply wet the stained clothing and soap then rub the soap directly on to the stain. Wash as you normally would.
Notes
-I do not recommend using this soap recipe on your skin. It will have too much of a drying effect.
-Eucalyptus and lemon essential oils are known for their grease cutting ability and are excellent additions to the recipe.
-Many of the vintage recipes that I have read for stain sticks used turpentine instead of the essential oils. Turpentine is a natural substance that comes from the resin of pine trees and it is biodegradable. If it’s available to you, it may be a viable option.
-If you are new to soap making I strongly suggest you read through these super informative posts and find what will work for you:
-I would also recommend borrowing a few of these books from the library if you really find yourself wanting to know more:
- Handcrafted Soap
by Dolores Boone
- The Soapmaker’s Companion
by Susan Miller Cavitch
- The Natural Soap Book
by Susan Miller Cavitch
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