Homemade Laundry Detergent

You've probably seen this before but just in case you haven't, I'll post it.  I have added my own twist to it because I love the smell of Gain and couldn't get around the lack of smell (even when I added essential lavender). During baseball season I add a jug of Clorox 2 to the 5 gallon bucket b/c the baseball clothes need extra cleaning power.  Even w/o the added Gain or Clorox 2 this recipe makes an awesome detergent and cleans great. I've been making my own for over 2 years and was only tempted to go back when I had to buy a jug of Gain on vacation to wash Oliver's blanket after he had a virus - but that was just for the great smell of Gain!!   

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap – Front or top load machine

The homemade liquid laundry soap recipes:
4 Cups hot water
1 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. Add 1 apprx 90 oz bottle of your favorite detergent or Clorox 2.  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.
tips: 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)

I like this b/c it allows me to keep costs low and still use Gain. I do ALOT of laundry w/ 3 boys and David's work clothes.  I make about 20 gallons of this recipe a year and I've only had to buy Borax & Washing Soda twice in 2 years so it really does make a big difference in my laundry detergent bill.