So me and the wife were sitting around talking about modern things. We decided to grab the laundry detergent and read the label. After a little research we discovered that the chemicals are made from petroleum. What the hell? I wash my clothes in gasoline? I know its not that simple but still.
After some more research, we found a recipe to make homemade laundry soap. Now there is a difference between soap and detergent, but you would have to do that research on your own. The recipe came from the Duggar family of the popular TV show “19 kids and counting”. I will post the recipe at the end of this post.
It took about 25 minutes all together and was actually a pretty fun process. We spent about $8 gathering all the supplies including the bucket and lid. We got the ingredients from Meijers and the bucket and lid from Lowes. Lowes even threw in some stirring sticks for the bucket for free.
We washed the first load today after letting it sit overnight and stirring it back up. It does thicken while it sets and it takes a while to get it mixed back up. It came out great! Smells fantastic, and it only has 3 ingredients! This is a great project, and I would recommend any give it a try.
From http://www.duggarfamily.com/recipes
Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap- Front or top load machine- best value
4 Cups – hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup – Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
½ Cup Borax
– Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
-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.
-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)
-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 (Approx. 180 loads)
-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)
*Arm & Hammer “Super Washing Soda” – in some stores or may be purchased at Meijer.com. Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent – It must be sodium carbonate!!
The Hen House 
Did you actually do this? If so, did it work and what did it smell like? Sounds itchy.
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It actually works quite well, and smells like the “clean” scents you buy commercial detergent in. Clothes come out extremely soft and smell wonderful.
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Is this recipe only for regular wahers? Can it be used for the HE washers as well? Is it safe to use on infant clothes?
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I am not sure about the HE washers, but I will do some research on it. As far as the infant clothes, Tracy said she has used it often and that it actually gets the clothes cleaner, because it will remove the smells and some stains without having to use stain remover or bleach.
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