Homemaide Laundry Detergent--Thanks The Frugal Girls.com

In addition to Homemade Fabric Softener… several of you have asked me how to make Homemade Laundry Detergent, and I’ve got the recipe for you right here!
I’ve been planning on making this for almost a year {yes… it’s taken me awhile to get to it}!
When I was up in Washington visiting my friend Joli this summer, I put her detergent to the test, and she sold me on the idea of Homemade Laundry Detergent!
It’s thrifty, simple to make, works great, and smells yummy! Yup ~ I’m sold!
What You’ll Need: {check your local store’s laundry aisle}

• 1/2 Cup: Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda {not Baking Soda}
• 1/2 Cup: Borax {print a coupon here}
• 1/3 Bar of Fels-Naptha Soap {you could also use Ivory soap, but if using Ivory… use the whole bar}
• Bucket {2 gallon size or larger}
• Empty laundry detergent containers or bucket with lid to store detergent.

What You’ll Do:

• Grate 1/3 bar of Fels-Naptha Soap over large pot or saucepan…

• Add 6 cups of Water.
• Heat over medium-high until soap dissolves and melts.
• Add Washing Soda & Borax, and stir until dissolved.
• Remove from heat and set aside.
• Pour 4 cups Hot Water into bucket, then add Soap Mixture.
• Stir, then add 1 Gallon + 6 Cups of additional water. Stir.

• Transfer to a bucket with a lid, or pour into empty laundry detergent containers.
• Set aside, and let it sit overnight, or up to 24 hours, to thicken and gel up.
• Consistency and color will vary depending on your soap & water ~ it may be lumpy and watery… kind of like a watery gel, but it works great!
• Stir or shake before each use, as it will continue to gel.
• Good job… you did it!
• Don’t forget… to save more money, you can cut your dryer sheets in half and make Homemade Fabric Softener!

How Much Will it Cost?

• Borax, 76 oz. box ~ $2.98 at Wal-Mart
• Arm & Hammer Washing Soda, 55 oz. box ~ $2.99 at Kroger/Fry’s.
• Fels-Naptha Bar of Soap ~ $1.79 at Kroger/Fry’s.
• Total Cost to make around 2 gallons: About $1.00!!
• This amount filled up my large empty Tide container from Costco and a smaller Purex container!

This recipe makes a low-sudsing detergent, and I know several people who use it in their HE machines, too!