Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent

Making my own laundry detergent saves SO much money! I make 5 gallons at a time and store the excess in a pail ($2-3 at Walmart or a hardware store if you can't find a bakery to give you one of their extras.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

1- 5 gallon pail with lid

1 gallon jug of some sort for storage/use... Refill as needed

1 Cheese Grater

1 Pot to melt the soap shavings

1 Bar Laundry Soap (I use Zote, found in the detergent aisle)

1 c. Washing Soda (Arm & Hammer, also w/ the detergent)

1 c. Borax (20 Mule team, you guessed it, detergent aisle)

4.5-5 Gallons water

Essential oils (optional)

MAKING YOUR DETERGENT

1. Start out by grating your Laundry Soap. It's VERY easy, so not a lot of elbow grease required.

2. Melt these shavings in 2 quarts (8 cups) of water over medium high heat, stirring constantly. This takes a bit of patience so don't get frustrated!

3. Fill the 5 gallon pail with hot water from the tub (4-4.5 gallons... I always eyeball it and use a little less than 4.5 gal just in case)

4. Mix your borax and washing soda into the bucket of water until dissolved.

5. Add soap water to the jug and stir until completely mixed.

6. Put the lid on the bucket and let sit overnight. In the morning, shake the jug as one final mixing effort and add your essential oils (30-60 drops depending on the oils and how strong you want it to smell!)

See? SUPER simple! 

Use 1/4-1/2 c. per load of laundry (depending on load size)

Enjoy!

-xoxo Sorority Housewife

PS- will update with pictures!

Up next- Homemade Fabric Softener & Dryer Sheets!