Homemade Laundry Detergent

Ingredients: (these can all be found on most laundry detergent aisles in your local grocery store!)
-Fels-Naptha Bar (full bar)
-Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (1 cup)
-Borax (1 cup) - 20 Mule Team
*Optional: add 1 tsp of essential oil (lemon, orange, lavender, etc.) during any mixing stage for scented detergent.
Directions:
Grate the whole bar of soap (or you can use a food processor).
Combine with 4 cups water in large pot.
Heat on medium for 15 minutes or until the bar of soap is completely melted, stirring occasionally. Do not overheat!

Add 1 cup of the Borax and 1 cup of the Arm & Hammer and heat until dissolved. About 5-10 minutes.

Pour your soap mixture into a 5 gallon bucket and add hot water at first (at least 4 cups) to keep your soap liquid, then adding cooler water toward the end until you are about 2 inches from the top.

Let sit for 24 hours, stirring every few hours to keep it well mixed. As it sits, it will become a thicker liquid.
Use between 1/2 to 1 cup per load, depending on how dirty the clothes are.

You can store it in smaller containers so it is easier to shake up (i.e. milk jugs, old laundry detergent bottles, etc.)

If you would like more detailed instructions, including pictures, please visit Lorraine's blog at
www.foodstorageclasses.blogspot.com