Laundry Detergent

Recently I made a new batch of homemade laundry detergent... Ive looked around online for a while now and this is the best recipe Ive found:

I use Fels Naptha soap for my detergent. You can use Ivory, Octagon, Zote and the like, but honestly, NOTHING works as good as the Fels. I buy Fels Naptha here. Recently it was on sale for half price, so I bought a case.. it will last years. Washing Soda and Borax can normally be found on the laundry or cleaning aisle, also pretty inexpensive. Recipe cost approx. $2.

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap for front or top load machine.

4 Cups hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup Washing Soda
½ Cup Borax



- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.

Hannah nearly ate the shredded Fels Naptha... she thought it was cheese :)



Careful, it WILL boil over.


-Fill a 5 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.




Looks like Jelly!

-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. (will gel)I use gallon jugs... they come free with milk and are easy to save!



-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.

-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.

-Top Load Machine- 3/4 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)

-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)

Using this recipe costs between 1 and 2 cents a load. Store brand detergent is about 25 cents a load and Tide is about 35 cents a load! This detergent works fantastically, it really gets clothes clean with little effort!!