Homemade laundry detergent!

If you are a "home economist" and have yet to delve into the world of homemade laundry detergent, you are missing out. I find it a basic for all in the homemade world, whether it be for the penny pinchers, chemical avoiders, or the environmentally conscience.

I have used this recipe for well over a year now for everything from diapers to delicates. I simply can not tell a difference between this and any store bought I've used. Grant it, we have VERY hard water, which often leads me to wonder if I'm not doomed from the start.

First off, here is a link for the recipe. (Rumor has it this is Mrs Duggar's recipe)
 http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/laundrysoap.htm

Ok, ingredients.
1) Washing Soda
2) Borax
3) Ivory Soap bar
4) Water

(Really, that large measuring bowl isn't a need) First, I just grade the ivory soap bar with a cheese grader into my pot.

  and add the first 6 cups water. Heat until soap melts. Then add the 1/2 cup Borax and 1/2 cup Washing Soda. Heat and stir until melted. ***After much experimentation, I do believe that the amount of "noodleness" you get at the end depends on how fast you heat the soaps. Faster=more noodles. Slower=less noddles. But then, I could be crazy***

Ok, so you have the soap mixture. Next, pour 4 cups of hot water into your bucket and add the soap mixture and stir. Next, add 1 gallon and 6 cups of water and stir. (Or, 22 cups)

And then, after letting it sit for 24 hours, you should have something noodley and gelly, resembling THIS:

Storage: Really, its up to you. I've heard some moms leave it in the bucket, for me, I store it in glass bottles I saved from milk.

Use about a 1/2 cup per load and REMEMBER>>> HOMEMADE SOAPS DO NOT SUDS UP. No. Bubbles. Bubbles are merely from the chemicals in cleaners made to make us think that is what is doing the cleaning. LIES!!
Also, depending on what I am washing, I add different stuff to the load. Diapers, I usually add Calgon or vinegar. Clothes, vinegar. It's constant experimenting with our water to keep our whites white, colors the same color, and diapers..well...who likes a stinky, leaking diaper?

Anyway...happy laundering!!