HOMEMADE LAUNDRY SOAP and FABRIC SOFTENER

LIQUID
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 the whole thing with a whisk (breaks it up the best) and fill a container half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel) note--I have used Sterilite brand pitchers but Rubbermaid 2qt Mix and Stir pitchers work the best!!
 
-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" - Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!

POWDER #1
1 finely grated bar of Fels Naptha laundry soap
1 cup Borax
1 cup Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda
-mix REALLY, REALLY well and store in 32oz container.
-use 1-2T per load for any type of washer!

POWDER #2 --for a 5 gallon bucket full
1 4 lb 12 oz box Borax (2.15 kg or 76 oz) found in the detergent aisle

1 4 lb box Arm & Hammer Baking Soda (1.81 kg) found in the cooking aisle

1  box Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda 55 oz (3 lb 7 oz) found in the detergent aisle

3 bars of Fels-Naptha soap, found in the detergent aisle, finely grated (use your food processor!!)

2 small containers of Oxy Clean or store brand Oxy Clean (try to get about 3.5 lbs total (1.58 kg)) found in the detergent aisle. (this is optional)
You should be able to find all of these items at your grocery store.
Toss it all together in a 5 gallon bucket and mix it really well.
Put some in a smaller container along with a TBLS scoop to keep out and refill as needed.
-This detergent is safe for HE washers and should be added to the barrel instead of the dispenser.
-This detergent is safe to use on sensitive skin.

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FABRIC SOFTENER
White Vinegar!  Put in your softener dispenser or use a Downy Ball.  It leaves NO Vinegar smell on your clothes and doesn't goop up like regular softener does.  Also, way better for fire safety on your dryer venting!  It doesn't leave a film/residue:)