Homemade Laundry Detergent

My cousin had this on her blog and I'm so excited to give it a try. I can't tell you how much laundry detergent I use a month in 'la household. We are a family of 5 and the washer is ALWAYS running. Can't wait to give it a spin (pun intended).

{ Homemade Laundry Soap }
I know this recipe is used by many of my friends and fellow bloggers, but I have been asked to post the recipe so here you go!If your not feeling in the mood to make soap but need a good stain stick:the Fels Naptha Bar soap is the BEST STAIN STICK EVER.Just get it wet and rub into any stain. Brinley got chocolate on her new Aeropostale shirt which she informed me of after it had dried, so I just rubbed it with the Fels naptha and it disappeared while I was rubbing it. Amazing stuff.Oh and I also still use Fabric Softener when I launder my clothes because I just love the stuff.FELS NAPTHA CAN BE BOUGHT AT LOCAL GROCERY STORES, I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT SOME FIND IT AT THEIR LOCAL WAL-MART OR FRED MEYER. I WOULD CALL AND ASK BEFORE MAKING A TRIP.

Liquid Laundry Soap-Family Sized BatchWater
1 bar grated Fels Naptha soap
5 gallon bucket
1 cup washing soda (Again, Arm and Hammer)
1 cup 20 Mule Team Borax
4 1/2 gallons water
Put grated Fels Naptha in saucepan and cover with water. Heat on low until dissolved. Fill bucket 1/2 way with hot water and add soap. Stir to combine. Add 1 cup washing soda and 1 cup borax and mix well. Fill bucket with more HOT water (I add enough water so it reaches the rings near the top of the bucket) As it cools, it will thicken.If mixture becomes too thick, add hot water to thin it to desired consistency. May be used immediately. Mix well before each use. Use 1/2(normal) to 1 cup per load (heavy). Cost per load .04Edited to add:
TIPS:When mixing the melted soap into the hot water my friend told me it's best to add some boiling water to the bucket, it helps break down the lumps better. And she is right, it worked great!!I ladle my soap into a used Orange juice container as shown above and just give it a good shake before using.
Liquid Laundry soap- Small batch3 Pints Water
1/3 bar Fels Naptha Soap, grated
1/2 cup Washing Soda (Arm and Hammer, NOT baking soda though!!)
1/2 cup 20 Mule Team Borax
2 Gallon bucket to mix it in
1 Quart hot water Hot Water
Mix Fels Naptha soap in a saucepan with 3 pints hot water and heat on low until dissolved. Stir in Washing Soda and Borax. Stir until thickened, and remove from heat. Add 1 Quart Hot Water to 2 gallon Bucket. Add soap mixture, and mix well. Fill bucket completely with additional hot water, and mix well. Set aside for 24 hours, or until mixture thickens. You may add additional HOT water if the mixture becomes too thick. Mix Well before each use. Use 1/2 cup of mixture per load. Makes 64 loads. Cost per load .03
　
Powdered Laundry Detergent
1 cup grated Fels Naptha Soap
1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 cup 20 mule team borax
Mix and store in airtight container or bag. For light or small loads, use 1 tablespoon. For normal loads, use 2 tablespoons. For heavy loads, use 3 tablespoons. Cost per load .15
To make a large batch - grate 6 bars of Fels Naptha Soap and then add 3 cups of Washing Soda and 3 cups of 20 Mule Team Borax. Mix well and store in covered container.
TIP: The above recipes will NOT make suds in your washer so don't be alarmed. Fels Naptha Soap is a pure soap and typically makes little or no suds in the water. This makes it perfect for use in the new HE washers as well as traditional washers. You will also notice the need to either reduce your laundry softener or in most cases you can even eliminate the use of softener completely, depending on your preference.