Homemade Laundry Detergent

1 Bar Fels Naptha Soap-Grated 

(about $1-$1.50 depending where you buy it)

1 Cup 20 MuleTeam Borax 

(about $5.50 a box-will make approx 8-10 batches)

1 Cup Arm&Hammer Washing Soda-Not baking soda 

(about $4.00 a box-will make approx 6-8 batches)

3 Cups Water

2 clean quart canning jars with lids

1. Place all ingredients in a sauce pan and simmer until dissolved. Be careful not to allow it to boil over-though a soapy stove will give you good motivation to clean it!
2. Evenly divide soap between the two quart jars.
3. Top off with water and stir to combine.
4. Let set up for 24 hours. It will separate into two layers; a thick white substance and yellow liquid.
5. Use a butter knife to cut through the thick white layer, and pour into a blender or food processor. 
6. Blend one jar at a time until smooth-like mayonnaise.
7. Rinse out canning jars (there may be some borax crystals in the bottom), and scrape the detergent back into the canning jar.
8. Store in your laundry room. Use one tablespoon per regular load (1/2 tablespoon for HE). 

You can find all the ingredients to make your own laundry detergent at most local grocery stores. Your total cost to make this laundry detergent is approximately $2-$3 and it will wash 120 regular loads of laundry-compared to Tide at $12 to wash 64 loads!!! The savings are worth it and the homemade detergent works just as well! 

New Variation (Easier-this is what I use exclusively now)
1/2 bar of Fels Naptha (cubed)
1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 cup borax
1/2 cup crystal laundry scent booster (optional)
4 cups boiling water

Place in large food processor and pulse until smooth powder is reached. Add boiling water and blend until detergent is smooth and all powder is dissolved. Place in a quart jar. Use 1 tablespoon per load.