Homemade Laundry - Powder & Liquid Detergent / Fabric Softener

Homemade Laundry Detergent 

This makes a TON of laundry soap, all free of chemicals and works like a charm. Way cheaper than store bought.

Supplies: 

Supplies Needed for Homemade Laundry Soap

• Garbage Bags
• Box Grater or Processor
• Storage Container with Tight Fitting Lid (5 gallon bucket)

Washing Amounts: 

• Small Loads - 1/4 Cup 
• Large loads– 1/2 cup
• Liquid Variation– 1/2 cup

Ingredients: 

• 3 Cups Arm & Hammer Washing Soda or 1 Box (55 oz)
• 3 Cups Arm & Hammer Baking Soda
• 3 Cups Borax or 1 box (65 oz)
• 3 Bars Dr. Bonner's Castile Soap OR Fels Naptha (Dr. Bonner's come in various scents with essential oils and are top rated - lavender will make your laundry smell good)
• OPTIONAL: 2 Boxes Oxiclean Free (3 lb. each) OR 1 Box Oxiclean (5 lb.)
• After all the dry ingredients are in your bucket, add 30-40 drops (or to your desired scent tolerance) of essential oil of your choice. Again, this is optional. You can also use scented castile soap. Dr. Bronners Brand has quite a few scents such as lavender, Citrus, almond, rose, and peppermint as well as unscented.

Instructions Powder: 

• Grate the soap bars on a hand grater or you could use a food processor if you cut the soap into small squares to help out the processor. 
• Add to a garbage bag (double the bag for extra strength) and then add all of the other ingredients.
• Tie a knot at the top of the bag so nothing can escape. Roll it around for awhile so everything has a chance to mix together. 
• Once everything is thoroughly combined, cut off a corner from the bottom of the bag and allow the mix to pour into your storage container. 
• It is best to use an air-tight container with a good sealing lid to keep out any moisture that could eventually clump and/or harden the mix.
• I put a small amount into a empty gallon milk jug or get a nice container and a scoop for a nicer display. Keep the remaining soap in a dry place and replenish as needed.

Instructions Liquid: 

• Add 1/2 gallon of water to your 5-gallon bucket.  Stir in 1 cup of borax and 1/2 cup of washing soda.
• Shred 1 castile soap bar with the cheese grater. Melt soap shreds in 1 cup of water over medium heat. Stir often.
• Add melted soap to the bucket and stir well.
•  Add 30 to 50 drops of the essential oil of choice.
• Fill the bucket the rest of the way with water.  Stir until all ingredients are well combined.
• Let it sit overnight and then shake the bucket really well.
• NOTES: I like to pour the detergent in a 1/2 gallon jar to make use easier. You can also store it in old laundry soap containers. Shake well before each use.  Use 1/2 cup of detergent per load.

Natural Fabric Softener: 

• Add 1/2 to 1 cup distilled white vinegar to loads of laundry. This will work as a fabric softener so chemical fabric softeners won’t be necessary. This also works to help eliminate smells from dirty clothes.
• Add wool dryer balls into the dryer with wet clothes. You can also add a few drops of essential oils to the dryer balls as well for the sweetest-smelling fresh laundry.

Source: https://homemadeonourhomestead.com/effective-and-toxin-free-laundry-soap/