You must wash your clothes on the seventh day and you will be clean. Numbers 31:24

Serve: homeless and transient populations who may not have access or means to use washing machines but cold wash clothes by hand in a sink* (a large batch of soap is also a great gift to a local shelter)

Connect: children probably know better than most that dirt and messes happen, but they may not yet appreciate that washing clothes takes some work; challenge children to consider what it would be like to wear the same clothes for days and weeks without washing

Materials:

• zoat laundry soap
• butcher knife
• cutting board
• borax
• washing soda
• quart size baggies
• print washing instructions on to Avery® 5162 labels:
  add 1-2 Tablespoons per load of laundry
• cheese graters
• measuring cups
• plastic spoons (optional)

Directions:

• an adult can use a large butcher knife and cutting board to divide a bar of zoat into three equal pieces
• show kids how to use a cheese grater to shave soap
• combine into a quart size bag:
  • 1/3 bar of zoat, shaved
  • 1 cup of borax
  • 1 cup of washing soda
• seal the bag well and shake to mix
• add a label with washing instructions
• put in a plastic spoon to measure soap for washing (optional)

*This laundry soap works great in cold water and rinses well to leave clothes clean without the need for a washing machine, which makes it perfect for those who do not have the means to use laundry appliances or who choose to wash in cold water to save money.