Homemade Laundry Soap

This is actually my second attempt at making Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap.  The first recipe I used did not work like I hoped it would.  It got the clothes clean, but they didn't smell clean!  So this recipe I actually found on The Duggar Family website.  This one called for a different kind of soap (Fels naptha) which smelled so good!

I half this recipe because I do not have a bucket big enough to hold it all!  I also store mine(after it has set over night) in cleaned out milk jugs.  They are easier to store.

4 Cups - hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super 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)

*Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" - I found mine at Walmart.  Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!

Soap all grated up.

Melting.

The 5 gallon bucket I use