I've posted this a couple times already... but mmm my house smells so good when I make this and I just had to post again. Aren't these colors so yummy looking!? Don't taste it though! It's a mixture of grated Fels Naptha and Zote!
I make a double or triple batch at a time and like to mix the two brands soaps. The two scents together smell awesome, but I have used essential oils, Downey fabric scent pellets, and the new little Snuggle fabric scent packs (they just recently came out with - I used a knife to cut them open and added about 15 to a double batch but I honestly think this laundry detergent smells best on it's own!).
Homemade Laundry Detergent
1 bar either Fels Naptha or Zote laundry soap (bar form)
1 c Arm & Hammer WASHING soda
1 c 20 Mule Team Borax
1 c Oxi-Clean (optional)
1 1/2 teaspoons essential oil in your favorite scent (optional)
1 container to store it
Grate the soap bar into a large bowl with a hand grater or use a food processor. Fels Naptha tends to be harder to grate and is worth using a food processor or salad shooter with the shred disc. Zote is easily grated by hand as it's far softer. When grated, add 1 cup each of the Oxi-clean, washing soda and Borax. Add oil to scent if you are using - we like our laundry to smell wonderful so I use about cap full.
You can use the mixture as it is, I suggest making a fine powder of it to ensure it's mixed equally all the way through, and is quickly and easily disintegrated in the laundry. If you only have a blender: Put 1 cup at a time through your blender and blend smooth. Only do 1 cup as the soap particles might clog your blender. For food processors: I've tried both the S-blade and the grating blade. I think the S-blade works best and makes the smoothest powder.
Place in a container and 2 heaping tablespoons. We love this stuff so much we use about 4 on average. Just use more or less depending if the clothing are heavily soiled or a large or small load.
(For the container - I found a simple "flour storage" container at a local retail store that works great for a double batch. Any tightly sealed container will work to keep out moisture and keep it from spilling.)
Items can be purchased most frugally at your local Walmart or retailer. If you can't find them, you can order online through Amazon too:
Airtight Watertight Container
Premium Home Fragrance Oil, Our Version of White Linen, 8 Fl Oz / 236 ml
Twenty Mule Team Natural Laundry Booster & Multi-Purpose Cleaner, 76 oz.
Church & Dwight Co 03020 Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda 55 oz.
Church & Dwight Co 03020 Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda 55 oz.
Zote Laundry Soap Bar Pink 14.1 Oz (4 Pack)
Fels-Naptha Laundry Bar Soap,5.5 oz(Pack of 2)
Laundry Soap Kit - Fels Naptha-3 bars, Borax & Washing Soda
Someone even started to sell a "kit" on Amazon to make it easier...
