Homemade Laundry Soap

A lot of people have asked me for the recipe for the laundry soap I have been using. It is great, and has saved me so much money. Yes, it cleans our clothes just like the detergent I was buying at the store. I used a bar of Ivory soap for mine. I can't find Fels-Naptha in the Seattle area. Also, I found the "washing soda" in the pool supply aisle at Wal-Mart. Look for "sodium carbonate."

I have also been using 1/2 cup of white vinegar for fabric softener. I love it!

I actually saw this on an episode of "17 Kids and Counting," and got the recipe off the Duggar family website. Here it is, directly from their site:

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 water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup Washing Soda
½ Cup Borax

- 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)

ENJOY!! Let me know how yours turns out. :)