To Make Coconut Soap Washing Powder:

Use a digital scale to weigh out the lye and water amounts. Prepare lye-water solution by gradually stirring lye crystals into room temperature distilled water using a medium-sized glass bowl and a stainless steel spoon.  Be sure to wear a mask and gloves.  Work in a well-ventilated area.  The solution will heat up instantly. Using a thermometer, let solution cool to between 90 and 100 degrees F. 

In a large glass bowl, melt the coconut oil in the microwave for 30 seconds to one minute. Stir until oil is liquified and is around 90-100 degrees F.  Add lye-water solution to coconut oil and blend with an immersion blender until the mixture is completely incorporated together and has the consistency of cake batter.  Pour into a 10-inch loaf mold.  (Utensils and bowls can be washed by hand or in your dishwasher.)

Let loaf rest for approximately 24 hours before slicing into thin layers.  Lay slices in a single layer on parchment or wax-paper lined baking sheets to dry.  Flip slices frequently. When slices are dry to the touch, opaque-looking and crumbly feeling, grind or grate them into a powder.  Pour powder onto same parchment/wax-paper lined baking sheets to dry again.  Stir powder frequently.  (Depending on your weather, this may take 2+ weeks time.) The soap powder must be extremely dry before using in Laundry Soap recipe.  One 10-inch loaf makes approximately 8 cups of Coconut Soap Washing Powder. 

To Prepare Laundry Soap Powder:   

In a large glass bowl, blend Coconut Soap Washing Powder, washing soda, citric acid, and fragrance oil (if desired).  Wear gloves to throughly rub fragrance oil into the powders; or leave unscented.  Store the Laundry Soap Powder in a container of your choice, such as glass jars.  Be sure to label with the scents and date you created. 

To Use Laundry Soap Powder:

Based on your load size, layer clothes and other washable fabrics with Laundry Soap Powder according to:

Small loads = 1 tbsp. scoop powder

Medium loads = 1 to 2 tbsp. scoops powder

Large loads (deep wash) = 3 tbsp. scoops powder

Before washing, add 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar to the rinse/bleach compartment of your washing machine to help soften your fabrics.  (Your washed clothes won’t smell like vinegar.). Run washer according to desired setting.  Air dry or machine dry using wool dryer balls.