Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent Recipe

Nothing better than making your own soap that is pure and cleans well while it is inexpensive and goes a long ways.

Here are the ingredients you'll need to pick up:

Borax ($2.99 at Walmart or Target--in the laundry aisle

Arm and; Hammer Super Washing Soda (NOT Baking Soda--$2.99 at local grocery store in laundry aisle

Fels-Naptha Soap Bar ($.97 at local grocery store in laundry aisle

1 large economy bag of Pure Baking Soda$2.97-, YES I add both of these products

1 Large Box Of BIZ--$6.97(or you can use Oxy Clean Powder but that costs more and I like BIZ)

5-gallon bucket with lid (around $4 at Home Depot)

OPTIONAL: Essential Oil Drops for fragrance 

all for @$22.00

This is cheap for @ 640 loads (180 loads in a top-loading machine). That's a little more than 1 cent a load! And the savings are even greater the next time you make this because the only thing you'll have to buy is the Fels-Naptha soap bar!

1. Grate the entire bar of the Fels-Naptha soap.

2. Put in a pot with 4 cups of hot water. Stir continuously over medium-low heat until all of the soap flakes have dissolved and melted (about 50 minutes). It should be slightly foamy with no "chunks" or flakes to be found.

3. Fill a 5-gallon bucket half-full of hot water.

4. Pour in the soap mixture. Add 1 cup of Arm & Hammer Washing Soda and 1/2 cup Borax. Stir. 

 It's helpful to have a heavy duty long handled mixer but if not, just use the end of your mop (or something that can reach to the bottom of the 5-gallon bucket).

5. Fill the rest of the 5-gallon bucket with water until it is full. Stir again.

6. Cover and let it sit overnight.

7. When you open the top up the next day, it should have gelled and thickened slightly. Stir again.

8. Use a funnel to pour the mixture in a used/clean laundry detergent container only HALF full. Fill the rest of the way with water and shake.

Once you're ready to use the laundry soap, shake it in the container first. Then add:

-5/8 cups for a regular top-loading machine

-1/4 cup for a front-loading (HE) machine

Ideas for essential oil: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil. Add 10-15 drops per 2 gallons once the soap has cooled.