Making soap with borax

The scent of freshly laundered linens has always been my favorite finish to any fiber arts project, but commercial detergents often felt too harsh for my delicate handiwork. I started making my own soap blends using borax to reclaim control over what touches my fabrics and my family’s skin.

My Journey with Borax Soap Making

I remember standing in my kitchen years ago, staring at a mountain of vintage lace tablecloths I had inherited, terrified that modern chemicals would destroy them. I needed something gentle yet effective, and my grandmother’s handwritten notes pointed me toward the traditional combination of borax and soap.

My first attempt was a comedy of errors involving a stockpot that was far too small and a whisk that wasn’t up to the task. I underestimated how much the mixture would expand as it gelled, resulting in a slimy, bubbling overflow that took hours to clean up.

It was a messy start, and I almost gave up when the texture didn’t look like the smooth pearlescent liquid I saw in pictures, but I realized the cleaning power was undeniable even if the aesthetics were off.

Over time, I learned to respect the chemistry involved in this simple process. It wasn’t just about mixing powders; it was about understanding how temperature and agitation change the structure of the soap.

What This Craft Really Entails

When we talk about “making soap with borax” in the crafting community, we are generally referring to the process of creating laundry detergents or heavy-duty cleaning bars, often called “homestead laundry soap.” This technique bridges the gap between home chemistry and domestic arts.

Lisa Mandel

Historically, this method was a staple of household management, allowing families to stretch a single bar of hard soap into gallons of usable liquid detergent. It involves grating a base soap and cooking or mixing it with borax (sodium borate) and washing soda to create a potent cleaner.

The craft requires a blend of patience and physical effort. You aren’t performing saponification (making soap from scratch with lye) in this specific process; rather, you are reprocessing existing soap to enhance its properties. Have you ever wondered why your grandmother’s linens always looked so white?

Borax acts as a water softener and a pH buffer, which helps the soap molecules work more effectively by preventing them from binding with minerals in the water, a common issue in hard water areas.

This craft is perfect for beginners because it doesn’t involve the dangerous caustic soda used in cold-process soap making. It is safer, faster, and provides instant gratification, though it does require safety precautions regarding dust inhalation.

It is somewhat similar to cooking a heavy stew; you are combining ingredients that need to meld together over heat or time to reach their full potential. The result is a product that feels distinctly different from store-bought detergents—more natural and scent-neutral.

Essential Materials and Tools

The beauty of this craft lies in its simplicity and low barrier to entry. You likely have the tools in your kitchen already, though I recommend dedicating specific utensils to soap making to avoid residue on your food.

Key Techniques and Skills

Mastering this craft comes down to consistency and texture control. Here are the specific techniques I have honed over the years to ensure a perfect batch every time:

• Fine Grating: The soap bar must be grated into the finest possible shreds to ensure it dissolves completely in hot water without leaving lumps.
• Slurry Creation: Melting the grated soap in a small amount of boiling water creates a “slurry” base that prevents separation later.
• Tempering Powders: Mixing the borax and washing soda in warm water before adding them to the main batch prevents clumping.
• Gel Stage Management: For liquid soap, allowing the mixture to sit undisturbed for 24 hours creates the proper gel consistency.
• Whipping: Using an immersion blender after the gel stage can smooth out the texture if it becomes too gelatinous.
• Scent Layering: Adding essential oils only after the mixture has cooled below 120°F preserves the volatile scent compounds.
• Hardness Testing: For solid stain sticks, knowing when the mold is ready to release requires checking the surface tension and temperature.
• Storage Rotation: Shaking liquid jars before use is a technique in itself, as natural ingredients will separate over time.

Skill Level and Time Investment

One of the reasons I recommend this project to friends is that it fits into the pockets of a busy life. You don’t need a dedicated studio or hours of uninterrupted time.

Advantages and Challenges

Like any handmade product, there are distinct pros and cons. I have found the benefits far outweigh the negatives, but transparency is key to managing expectations.

The financial savings are massive; a single batch of borax laundry soap can cost pennies per load compared to the dollars you spend on commercial pods or liquids.

• Cost Efficiency: You can make five gallons of detergent for the price of one small commercial bottle.
• Control Over Ingredients: You eliminate optical brighteners, phosphates, and artificial fragrances that irritate sensitive skin.
• Low Waste: You significantly reduce plastic waste by reusing the same buckets or glass jars for years.
• Versatility: The same ingredients can be tweaked to clean floors, bathrooms, and linens.
• Scent Customization: You can leave it unscented or use high-quality essential oils like lavender or tea tree.
• Fabric Preservation: It is generally gentler on vintage fabrics and hand-knits than enzyme-heavy commercial detergents.
• Homestead Satisfaction: There is a deep primal joy in creating a household necessity with your own hands.

• Texture Issues: Liquid versions often have a “snotty” or gloopy consistency that takes getting used to.
• Separation: Unlike stabilized commercial products, your soap will separate and require shaking before every use.
• Residue Potential: In very cold water, soap flakes may not dissolve fully if not prepared correctly.
• Safety Care: Borax is natural but not harmless; it must be kept away from pets and children.
• Labeling Effort: You must be diligent about labeling jars so family members don’t mistake them for food.

Real Project Applications

My most frequent project is the “Liquid Gold” laundry detergent. I make a five-gallon bucket twice a year, which covers almost all the washing needs for my household. It is incredibly satisfying to see those rows of Mason jars on the shelf, knowing I haven’t bought detergent in nearly a decade.

Another excellent application is making solid stain-removing sticks. By melting down a bar of Fels Naptha and stirring in extra borax and a little water, you can pour the mixture into lip balm tubes or silicone molds. These are fantastic for pretreating collars and cuffs.

I also create “Gardeners’ Scrub” jars as gifts. I mix the borax soap base with a little pumice or sugar. The borax boosts the cleaning power against dirt and sap while the abrasive gently exfoliates working hands. Packed in a cute jar with a wooden scoop, it makes a thoughtful, practical present.

“There is no stain deep enough that a little patience and the right chemistry cannot lift it.”

For the holidays, I often make a dry powder version layered in a jar like sand art, using white soap flakes and pink Zote soap. It looks beautiful and smells clean and fresh, perfect for friends who are trying to reduce their plastic consumption.

The Learning Experience

When I first started, I assumed more borax meant more cleaning power. I learned the hard way that throwing off the ratio makes the soap harsh and can actually leave a gritty residue on clothes.

One breakthrough moment came when I realized the importance of water temperature. I used to mix my ingredients in tepid tap water, and the soap would clump into unappealing balls. Switching to boiling water to dissolve the soap base first changed everything—it created a smooth, emulsified liquid.

Have you ever pulled a favorite sweater out of the wash only to find it stiff and scratchy?

That stiffness is often caused by detergent buildup. Learning to use borax taught me that less is often more. You need surprisingly little of this homemade mixture to get results, which was a difficult habit to break after years of filling up the massive caps on commercial detergent bottles.

Comparison with Similar Crafts

It helps to understand where this fits in the wider world of soap making and fiber arts. It is distinct from cosmetic soap making.

Common Questions from Fellow Crafters

Q: Is this soap safe for High-Efficiency (HE) washing machines?

A: Generally, yes, because this homemade soap produces very low suds, which is exactly what HE machines require. However, you must ensure the soap is fully dissolved to prevent clogging the narrow pipes.

Q: Can I use this on cloth diapers?

A: Many crafters do, but be cautious. Borax is effective, but if not rinsed thoroughly, it can irritate a baby’s sensitive skin. I recommend an extra rinse cycle if you choose to use it.

Q: Why did my liquid soap turn into a solid block in the jar?

A: This usually means the ratio of water to soap was too low, or you used a soap bar with a high tallow content. You can usually fix this by adding hot water and blending it again.

Q: Is borax the same thing as boric acid?

A: Borax (sodium borate) and boric acid are chemically different compounds and cannot be used interchangeably in these recipes. Boric acid is often used for pest control and has different toxicity levels.

Q: Does this soap expire?

A: The ingredients don’t spoil, but the texture can degrade. I find that after six months, the liquid versions may separate permanently, though they still clean effectively if shaken vigorously.

Q: Can I use essential oils for fragrance?

A: Absolutely, but remember that citrus oils tend to fade quickly in high-pH environments. I prefer using lemongrass or eucalyptus for a scent that sticks.

My Personal Results and Insights

I kept a log during my first year of exclusively using my homemade borax blend to see if it was worth the effort. The data convinced me to stick with it.

Final Thoughts and My Recommendation

Making your own **homestead laundry soap** with borax is one of those gateway crafts that changes how you view your home. It pulls back the curtain on the products we consume blindly and empowers you to make a choice that is cheaper, simpler, and often better for your specific needs.

Always wear a mask when mixing the dry borax and washing soda powders, as the fine dust can be very irritating to your lungs until it is dissolved in water.

I highly recommend this for anyone looking to reduce their household waste or anyone with skin sensitivities who struggles with commercial fragrances. It is not an art form in the same way that sculpting or painting is, but there is a quiet, domestic artistry in it. It requires dedication to the process and a willingness to shake a jar before every wash, but the reward is a cleaner, more intentional home.

If you are looking for a craft that saves money and protects your handmade textiles, this is the perfect weekend project. It isn’t glamorous, but it is deeply authentic and incredibly useful.