Making Laundry Detergent

So with all the directions online I have finally made my own laundry soap. It was not hard and will save a ton of money. I used the recipe from 19 kids and counting's website. It will make 10 gallons of laundry soap. Someone posted that it ends up costing about 1 cent per load based on buying the ingredients, which you still have plenty leftover to make a t least a few more batches (except the Fels Naptha soap bar which you use entirely). See my Cost Breakdown at end.

Been using it for 2 weeks now... and using approx. 1/4 cup white vinegar as a fabric softener (it does not smell after dry) placed in fabric softener dispenser on front load washing machine (1/2 cup in downy ball for top load)

Have been really pleased with the results. I am now giving away my store of detergent and fabric softener.

All my ingredients... found coffee measuring spoon which is 1/8 cup (2 of which is 1/4 cup for front loading measure)

The Fels Naptha bar grated (ended up getting my son to finish it off since my hand was killing me)

Added grated soap and 4 cups hot water, heat on med-low until melted. Not quite done yet

Done.. all melted

Filled bucket with half hot water (2.5 gallons.. pic before I realized gallons was on other side :)

After adding melted soap

Bought a paint stirrer to mix. Careful when using this method, drill speed slow otherwise it spins out onto the floor (which is quite slick)

Added Borax and super washing soda, then stir until dissolved.

Filled the rest of the bucket with water and stirred.

After sitting for 24 hrs. it was gelled on top... used paint stirrer to stir...

gallon milk jugs filled half with hot water

After filling with laundry soap

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)

UPDATE: I have been using this process for about a month.. the only thing I have changed is that if there is urine or stinky laundry, I add some OxyClean to the load. Also, for large capacity washer use a little more when it is a full load. Works good. Still loving it and been talking to my friends on how much money I am saving and that is does work well.

ADDITIONAL UPDATES: Now I am trying to get more "smell" into the laundry. I bought cheap sponges, cut in half, submerged in cheap laundry softener, then dried. Added to dryer, we shall see.. still cheaper than adding it to washer.
My youngest having medical issues has urine soaked sheets/bed clothes, will be soaking in Oxyclean or other "Oxy" based cleaner before laundering..... will let you know if this works better than the cycles on my washing machine....

Cost Breakdown

One Time Costs:

• $4.98 - 5 Gallon Bucket 
• $6.97 - 5 Gallon Screw Top Lid (for holding extra detergent over a year)  $4.98
• $6.98 - 5 Gallon Mixer (for stirring, drill attachment)

Use for a few batches:

• $3.24 - Super Washing Soda
• $4.50 - 20 Mule Team Borax

Need for each batch:

• $1.00 - Fels Naptha soap bar

Loads

1 Gallon = 16 cups

1/4 cup per load (front load) - 1/2 cup per load (top load)

64 loads per gallon (front load) - 32 loads per gallon (top load)

Makes 10 Gallons of detergent (160 cups)

640 loads (front load) - 320 loads (top load)

1st Batch (including all reusable materials): 

Total: $27.67

divided by 640 loads (front load) / 320 loads (top load)

 = $.04 per load (front load) / $.09 per load (top load)

2nd and 3rd Batches (only need to buy Fels Naptha) (might also include 4th batch)

Total: $1.00

divided by 640 loads (front load) / 320 loads (top load)

 = $.001 (less than 1 cent) per load (front load) / $.003 (less than 1 cent) per load (top load)

4th Batch

Total: $8.74

divided by 640 loads (front load) / 320 loads (top load)

 = $.01 per load (front load) / $.03 per load (top load)