Homemade Laundry Detergent

I shared this recipe on my "Christian Homekeeper" blog. I wanted to add it to this blog since it is definitely frugal! We have been using this recipe for 2 years and it's excellent.


You can see my how-to video of how to make homemade laundry detergent here:



I only spend $10-12 for the supplies to last for a years worth of detergent. I have a 5 gallon bucket and I make a large batch every 3 months usually.

Here is the recipe:

• 1 bar Fels Naptha soap
• 1 1/2 cups Borax
• 1 1/2 cups Washing soda
• 5 gallon bucket
  
  

Grate the soap and put it in a sauce pan. Add 12 cups water and heat on medium until the soap melts. Add the washing soda and the borax and stir until it is dissolved. Remove from heat. Pour 8 cups hot water into the 5 gallon bucket. Now add your soap mixture and stir. Now add 2 gallons plus 12 cups of water and stir. Let the soap sit for about 24 hours and it will gel.You use ½ cup per each load and 1 cup for very large loads.

Optional: If you want your soap to have some sort of scent you can scent this with ½ to 1 oz. of essential oil or fragrance oil of your choice.

After 24 hours it will be very gelled, but I use a whisk and mixing spoon and stir it several times while it sets and it has stays at a nice consistency.

* The detergent does not bubble in the wash but it is cleaning!

* If yours did not gel correctly after 24 hours then use more soap next time....like 1/2 bar, but you can still use it if it isn't very gelled anyway.

* When it sets you may get a "egg drop soup" effect.....just mix/stir with a whisk or blender.

• I originally used Crystal's recipe but tweaked the recipe as shown above and this cleans better for me and even my husband's dirty work clothes!