Homemade Laundry Soap

We do alot of laundry.

Apparently 4 people can generate alot of dirty clothes and it seems that we use about 14 towels per day (slight exaggeration).

I saw an episode of "19 Kids and Counting"  where they made their own laundry soap.  I was inspired but it was a BIG process with boiling water, dissolving soap into gallons of water, etc.  So when a friend shared this recipe I was so excited!  

2 cups grated Fels-Naptha bar ($.97)

1 cup washing soda ($3.36)

1 cup borax ($3.24)

(these prices are from Wal-mart)

mix well, store in air-tight container.  Use 2 Tablespoons per full load.

I estimate that we currently spend  $10-$15/month on laundry soap and softener.  These ingredients cost $7.57.   I will need to buy a new Fels-Naptha bar each time I need to make a new batch.  I'm anxious to see how long the boxes of borax and washing soda last, (they are good size boxes!) but we may be down to spending about $20 for a YEAR of laundry.

How well does it work?

I tested my first load on stinky, moist towels that had been sitting in laundry room for 2 days.  They came out smelling clean and WONDERFUL!!!  AND they come out softer, so I haven't been using fabric softener.  My theory is that this detergent mix rinses out cleaner than the commercial laundry soap. 

I don't think I will EVER buy commercial soap again. 

Hugs! and happy laundry day!