Make homemade laundry soap!

This 5 gallon bucket may not look like much right now, but inside is the making of home made laundry soap! I have been overwhelmed lately with all of the laundry I am doing. I did the math, and I do 21 loads of laundry each week! (I have 4 children + my hubby) Then I figured that I go through 4 bottles of laundry detergent each month. They are about $9 each, so $36 a month in just laundry detergent! I have seen where people have made their own laundry soap, and I really didn't think that it was for me. However, after doing it, I have discovered that anyone could do it. ***UPDATE*** It has been 6 months since I made my own laundry soap, and I still have 2.5 gallons left, which technically equals 5 gallons of laundry soap. (Read on if you are confused) Here's how it works:

Buy:

This soap is amazing for making your own laundry detergent and for stain removal. 
$1.99 each on Amazon + FREE super saver shipping on orders $25 & up

More purchasing options HERE

Be sure that you buy the Super Washing Soda, the other Baking Soda is not the same.
$9.16 for 55 oz on Amazon + FREE super saver shipping on orders $25 & up

More purchasing options HERE

I have heard that the 20 Mule does the best job for cleaning, so this is what I used
$11.46 76Oz  on Amazon + $7.18 shipping
(Or FREE shipping if added on with qualifying orders of $25 or more)

More purchasing options HERE

Directions on how to make homemade laundry soap:

4 Cups of hot tap water

1 Fels-Naptha soap bar

1 Cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda

1/2 Cup Borax

-Grate bar of Fels-Naptha and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium to  low heat until soap dissolves & is melted. (Note, if you have access to an outdoor kitchen or a burner attached to your grill, I would suggest using it. I could smell/taste the Fels-Naptha the rest of the evening. While it smells great to me, some people may find it overwhelming.) 

-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. (I used a paint mixer in a drill, my hubby had one on hand) Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit over night to thicken.

-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill the rest of the way with water. (Half & Half) Shake before each use. (It will gel between uses)

-Optional: You could add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. (Don't add this until the soap has cooled) I think that it smells pretty good all on its own.

This will make 10 gallons of laundry soap. Each time you fill your bottle, you will dilute it again equal parts laundry soap to equal parts water!

For top loading machines use -5/8 cup per load (180 loads)

For front loading machines use -1/4 cup per load (640 loads)

Prices, quantities, and availability of products vary on Amazon, I apologize if the above listed items or prices are no longer the same.

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