Homemade Laundry Detergent,Duggar Style

With the prices of laundry detergent continuing to rise, I have decided that I am going to try my hand at making laundry detergent.  Here are two recipes that the Duggar (20 and counting) uses.

I don't have an opinion on either powdered or liquid, since we use whatever is on sale.  I might try both and see which one works!

Powdered:

1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
½ Cup Borax

1.  Grate soap or break into pieces and process in a food processor until powdered.

2.  Mix all ingredients. For light load, use 1 Tablespoon. For heavy or heavily soiled load, use 2 Tablespoons.

Yields: 3 Cups detergent. (Approx. 40 loads)

You can find the Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda at many different stores.  I have seen it at Kroger and Wal-Mart before.


Liquid:


4 Cups - hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
½ Cup Borax
1.  Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.

2.  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.

3.  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) or Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)

Recipe taken from:The Duggar Family

Have you tried making your own?  How did it turn out?