You will need three basic ingredients; an old fashioned bar of soap, washing soda and borax.

The Soap: The most typical type of soap to use is Fels Naptha, Ivory or Zote.

Washing Soda: This is NOT to be confused with baking soda. Washing soda is a white powder. Its purpose is to take out dirt and odors. The brand to look for is Arm & Hammer Washing Soda. I find it in the laundry section of my grocery store.

Borax: This is also a white powder and its purpose is to get laundry white and smelling fresh. The brand I get is 20 Mule Team also in the laundry section of the grocery store.

Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe:

1/3 bar Fels Naptha (or other)
1/2 C. washing soda
1/2 C. borax powder
* * You will need a small bucket.

Grate the soap and put it in a sauce pan. Add six cups of water and heat it until the soap melts. Add the washing soda and the borax and stir until it is dissolved. Remove from heat. Pour four cups hot water into the bucket. Now add your soap mixture and stir. Now add 1 gallon plus six cups of water and stir. Let the soap sit for about 24 hours and it will get a watery consistency.

Use 1/2 C. per load

..have to admit I still use a little more than that, but it DOES the job!!!

A couple of things: The finished soap will look like “egg noodle soup.” And this soap is a low sudsing soap. If you have really soiled clothes you may want to add something in addition to the homemade soap.