Homemade Laundry Detergent

Awhile back, someone asked for this recipe in my comments, sorry it took so long to actually do this post on it. From my (in real life) friend Mama Fox at http://foxfamilyfive.blogspot.com

Homemade Laundry Detergent

Cost is for Oregon @ Fred Meyer, we have NO sales tax here!

1 Fells Naptha Soap Bar=$1.29 (makes 1 batch)
1 box of Arm and Hammer WASHING Soda=$3.29 (makes 6 1/2 batches)
1 box Borax Laundry Booster=$5.50 (makes 19 batches)

Essential Oils for scent (optional)

1--5 gal. bucket with a lid. Any clean one will do. I bought one at Fred Meyer for $4.
Hot water
1--Grater for soap (I used the slicer/shredder/Grater attachment for my KitchenAid this is quick and easy but, any grater will do.)

Stove top
Pan for melting down grated soap and water

½ gallon laundry soap container (cleaned out, any container that you can our from will work)


Here are the instructions:

1 bar of soap, grated (I used Fels-Naptha Brand)
1 cup washing soda (Arm & Hammer Brand)
1/2 cup Borax
4 cups HOT water

Grate the soap, and put into a pan on the stove with the 4 cups of HOT water and cook over med low heat until the soap is melted.

Pour into a 5 gallon bucket, add the Borax and Washing Soda and stir well.

Add HOT water (we used the bath tub) to the top of the bucket to equal 5 gallons of liquid.

Let sit over night, this mixture will gel.

Stir well the next morning.

Take the old clean laundry detergent container and add 1 quart of laundry detergent concentrate and 1 quart of HOT water, screw on the top and shake well.

You now have 1/2 gallon of homemade liquid laundry detergent. Shake before each use.

You can add essential oils at this point if you so desire. I picked up some Tea Tree Oil to help with 'disinfecting' and the yummy smell.

Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads) Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)