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 (approximately.180 loads). Front Load Machines- 1/4 cup per load (approximately 640 loads).
Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" - in some stores or may be purchased online here (at Meijer.com). Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate! Recipe cost approx. $2 per batch.
Source: http://www.duggarfamily.com/recipes.html
By Erin813 from Seffner, FL
Related:
Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipes
I don't add water, just use the dry powder. I keep it in a flip-top canister on a waist-high shelf right by the washer, and just scoop out what I need. I never lift the weight of the full container except when I'm putting it away after making a new batch - much easier than lifting a bottle of liquid if you're arthritic or weak.
And I buy vinegar by the gallon, and use it to refill a quart glass bottle by the washer - it doesn't deform when I handle it, so it's easier to pour from than a small plastic bottle (or a heavy gallon one).
If anyone knows a way to make this detergent without grating Fels Naptha, I would love to know! That's the only difficult part of the recipe.
I have used a similar recipe for the laundry soap but I use extra Borax and Washing Soda, plus a cup of baking soda. I love home made detergent and the price to make can't be beat! Using vinegar is awesome as well, much better than using commercial fabric softener with so many chemicals.
We have been using this recipe for a year now and we love it and that it saves us lots of money. We do add some oxyclean now and then when the clothes are really dirty, we have a 4 yr old.