Making your own Laundry Detergent

 I have been able to try some great new laundry detergent from Purex but I normally make my own laundry detergent. If you would like to try making your own you can check out this recipe. 

 HOMEMADE LAUNDRY DETERGENT RECIPE

Ingredients: 

4 cups hot tap water

1 Fels-Naptha soap bar  (or you can use a different kind of soap. I use Dr. Bronners Pure Castile Baby Mild soap that is free & clear!) 

1 cup washing soda - Not baking soda it is specifically called washing soda.

1 cup Borax

• Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water.  Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
• Fill a five-gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.
• Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (It will gel.)
• Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per two gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.

Yield:  Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.  Top-load machine: 5/8 cup per load (approximately 180 loads).  Front-load machine: ¼ cup per load (approx. 640 loads).