Homemade Laundry Soap!

Last night Cynthia came over to help me make my first batch of homemade laundry soap. It's really easy to make. Took us about 30 min. and now I have 180 (top load washer) loads of liquid laundry soap for approx. $2. I have already tried it on 3 loads and it works great! It doesn't create bubbles though so I googled the problem and found out that its the soap and not the bubbles that cleans clothes. Actually, the stuff they put in detergents to cause the bubbles can damage your washing machine and take years off its useful life.

I used Michelle Duggar's recipe. You know, the one with 18 kids. I got all of the ingredients at our local Macey's grocery store.
So, here is the recipe if anyone wants it:

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap- Front or top load machine- best value

4 Cups hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup 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)