Homemade Laundry Detergent

An awesome sister sent this recipe out a little while ago and I made it this morning and it was so easy!  

Here's the recipe for half of a 5 gallon bucket:

1/3 bar of Fels Naptha grated 

1/2 cup of Arm and Hammer Washing Soda

1/2 cup of Borax

Mix the grated soap and 6 cups of water until melted.  Remove from heat.  Add other ingredients and mix until dissolved.  Pour 4 cups of hot water into the 5 gallon bucket.  Then add soap mixture and stir. Next add 1 gallon plus 6 cups of cold water and stir.  Cover and let sit for 24 hours.  The mixture forms a gel-like consistency that needs to be separated.  You can us a whisk or spoon but the best way to do it is to get your hand in there and break it up.

To do a load of laundry use 1/2 cup for normal sized loads or 1 cup for larger loads.

Here's the recipe for a full five gallon bucket:

1 whole bar of the Fels Naptha grated

1 1/2 cups of Arm and Hammer Washing Soda

1 1/2 cups of Borax

Mix the grated soap and 12 cups of water until melted.  Remove from heat.  Add other ingredients and mix until dissolved.  Pour 8 cups of hot water into the 5 gallon bucket.  Then add soap mixture and stir. Next add 2 gallons plus 12 cups of cold water and stir.  Cover and let sit for 24 hours.  The mixture forms a gel-like consistency that needs to be separated.  You can us a whisk or spoon but the best way to do it is to get your hand in there and break it up.

You can buy all of the ingredients at Bashas.  It is super cheap and really good!  Try it out and let me know what you think!

Also, you can use this in a front load washer.  That's what I have and I have had no problems.  I use a cup worth.