Laundry Soap (Liquid)

Laundry Detergent

(safe for front-loading machines as well!)

1 bar of Fels Naptha soap (5.5 oz. bar), or 1 bar Zote (14.1 oz)*

1 cup washing soda**

1 cup baking soda

½ to 1 ½ cup borax powder

½ to 1 oz. essential oil (optional – orange, lavender, etc)

2 gallon container for storage

Grate the soap and put it in a sauce pan with 6 cups of water.  Heat until the soap melts.  Add the washing soda, baking soda and the borax and stir until dissolved.  Remove from the heat.  Pour 4 cups hot water into your container.  Now add the soap mixture and stir.  Now add 1 gallon plus 6 cups of hot water and stir (add essential oil here, if choosing to do so).  Let the soap sit for about 24 hours until it turns into a watery gel-like consistency (this may take shorter or longer considering the conditions in which it is stored in until first use – look for a uniform consistency).

Use 1/3 to ½ cup per load.  Depending on the amount you use, this costs about 1.5-2¢ per load

*Fels Naptha is the most typical type of soap use because of its strong stain-treating properties.  It also helps soothe poison ivy rashes.  You may also try Ivory or your own homemade soap.  If you use any other soap besides Fels Naptha, you may need to increase the portion to two bars.  Fels Naptha is made by the Dial Corporation, so your local store may be able to order it.

** This is not to be confused with baking soda.  This can be found in your laundry aisle.  This helps remove stains and odors.

Note:  If you prefer the scent of commercial detergent, add the equivalent of at least 10 loads worth of liquid detergent to the mixture during the setting phase.  Adding it to the mixture before then can produce excessive bubbles (trust me on this one!).  Honestly, the most scent will come from the fabric softener you use.