Make your own Laundry Detergent!

I have started making my own laundry detergent!  Not only is it cheaper, it smells amazing, and works great!  I am not a pre-treater, though one day I hope to be!

I need laundry detergent to get out the spots I didn't see!  The dirt, the chocolate, the baby poop! Oh My!

I got this recipe from a friend, and it works great!  I have seen different variations of this same recipe, and I'm sure that  they are all very similar!

Item #1 Baking soda, 4lb.  I buy this in 13 lb package at Sam's club for $6.00, so $2 a batch.
Item #2 Zote ($1 per bar, these are huge pink bars) grated with a cheese grater, I use pink
Item #3 Fels Naptha- Found in the Launder aisle. Under $2 per bar, grated with cheese grater
Item #4 Borax - 4lb box is under $3.38
Item # 5 Arm & Hammer washing powder -4lb box, under $3.24.
Item #6 (optional) Downey Unstoppables $10.00. This really makes the stuff smell amazing!!! I use pink, spring something.

With the Downey, the total price is $21.62.  This makes a ton of laundry soap.  And like I said, the Downey only makes it smell good, this is not fabric softener.

You only need 2-3 Tablespoons of the powder per load.  I use a 1/4 cup, because it is easier, and I do LARGE Loads.  My whole basement smells fresh!  I will be making another batch this week, and I am going to count the number of 1/4c in the batch, so I can tell you for sure how many loads it makes.  Keep in mind that this is actual loads!  When Tide is telling you 120 loads, that is for the smallest, lowest line on the cup, and I don't' know about you, but I never used the small load amount.

I know this is a money saver, but I would do this even if it wasn't. It really works, and the smell is perfect!  If you really want to save money, you leave out the Unstoppables.  Your clothes will be clean, and unscented, and you will really save because the price would only be $11.62!!

At Sams the tide comes to $0.19 per load. 

To make you simply mix the ingredients in a large Rubbermaid container (or the like) with a lid.  I would recommend cutting the bar soaps into chucks before grating, because the grate will be smaller,  I didn't do this the first time, and my pieces got really long!!

If you Try it I would love to know what you think!