Semi - Homemade Laundry Detergent

Are you tired of spending a fortune on store-bought laundry detergent? Look no further! For over 4 years now, many have been making their own laundry detergent, and the results are incredible. Not only is it easy to make, but it also costs less than $3.50 to make 5 GALLONS of detergent! Yes, you read that right - 5 GALLONS for less than $3.50! The average large sized store bought laundry detergent 184.5 oz for that amount with this recipe breaks down to be .94 CENTS. That's saving you over $20 per jug!

What do you need to make your own laundry detergent?

To make your own laundry detergent, you will need the following ingredients:

One 5 oz grated bar of Fels Naptha (or the soap bar of your choice)

1.5 cups of borax

1/2 cup of washing soda

a 5-gallon bucket

Essential Oils Optional 

Water

You can also cut this recipe in half if you don't need as much detergent.

How to make your own laundry detergent:

1. Fill a 5-gallon bucket with water, leaving about 3 inches of space at the top.

2. Add the borax and washing soda to the bucket of water. Mix well until the powders are dissolved.

3. In a saucepan, heat 4 cups of water and mix in the grated soap bar. Simmer the mixture until the soap is completely melted.

4. Pour the melted soap mixture into the bucket with the borax and washing soda solution. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.

5. Let the detergent sit for 24 hours to thicken.

6. Use 1/4 cup of detergent per load of laundry.

Note: Your water hardness may require more borax, if after 20 minutes of making the solution it hasn't begun to thicken, add in 1/2 cup more borax and stir. Also over time if your soap begins to separate, that's normal. Just give the bottle a shake before each use.