Homemade Laudry Soap

TIPS FOR LAUNDRY SOAP: We use Fels-Naptha bar soap in the homemade soap recipes, but you can use Ivory, Sunlight, Kirk's Hardwater Castile or Zote bars. Don't use heavily perfumed soaps. We buy Fels-Naptha by the case from our local grocer or online. Washing Soda and Borax can normally be found on the laundry or cleaning aisle. Recipe cost approx. $2.

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap- Front or top load machine- best value
4 Cups hot tap water1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup Washing Soda
½ Cup Borax

Tools needed;
Food Grater. I used a potato peeler since it was all I had, but it took a lot longer. I would reccomend NOT using whatever you decide to use for food after you use it with the soap!
Sauce pan. I used one that we used for food, and it worked Ok. You don't necessarily need a separate one, just scrub it well before you cook something with it.
5 Gallon Bucket.
Laundry Soap Dispenser, or Gallon Jug. I used both, since that was what I had around.

- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.

-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.

-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)

-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.

-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.
-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)
-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)