Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent

If you do as much laundry as we do here on the Farm, you know what a hit your wallet can take. Although I used to do laundry for a family of 7 (but am currently only washing for 4) detergents continue to be at the top of my expense column. I finally gave in and started using the following recipe for liquid laundry detergent when my regular detergent jumped to over $13.00 a bottle. I figured that when using this homemade detergent, I can spend the same amount of money for the initial purchases, but be able to do 640 loads of laundry. Then I only need to buy the bars of the Fels-Naptha soap until the Borax and washing soap run out. That is considerable savings!

                                             Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent Ingredients


                                                             1 cup washing soda
                                      
                                                                 1/2 cup Borax


                                                           1 bar Fels-Naptha soap

Step 1: Grate the bar of Fels-Naptha soap.

Step 2: Put shredded soap into a saucepan with 4 cups of hot water. Place on stove and stir over low heat until all flakes are dissolved (about 10 minutes).

Step 3: Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full with hot water. Pour in the soap mixture. Add the washing soap and the Borax. Stir. I used my husband's drill with his paint mixing attachment, but you can use any sort of stick or handle that can reach the bottom of the bucket.

Step 4: Fill the bucket with more hot water-until it is full. Stir again. Cover and let it sit overnight.

Step 5: Carefully open the bucket the next day. The mixture will be a thick, jelly-like consistency. Stir again.

Step 6: Use a funnel to fill up your container only half way. Fill the rest of the way with water and shake. I am using old laundry detergent jugs that I have been saving. You could also use milk jugs or yogurt containers. Let your imagination run wild!

To use: always shake the container first. Add: 5/8 cup to a top loading washing machine and 1/2 cup to front-loading machines.

As always, use your own judgement as you use this soap. You may want to add more or less as you get used to it. You are the one in charge of keeping your family going! You know what is best!!

Enjoy~