Homemade Laundry Detergent

1 cup washing soda (Arm & Hammer)*
1/2 cup Borax (20 Mule Team)*
1 bar Fels-Naptha soap*
Approximately 3 gallons water
5 gallon bucket with lid **
Large wooden spoon
A large pot
Box or cheese grater

1. Grate the bar of Fels-Naptha soap using either a box or cheese grater.

2. Put 4 cups of water into the large pot and heat on high. When water is boiling, add the grated soap a little at a time until the entire grated bar of soap is in the pot.

3. Stir the soapy water with a wooden spoon until all the soap is dissolved. Lower heat to a simmer. Continue to stir. Eventually the water will take on the color of the soap you added. You now have some very warm soap soup!

4. Fill the 5 gallon bucket with 3 gallons of warm tap water. Add 1 cup washing soda, 1/2 cup Borax, and the Fels-Naptha soap mixture to the 5 gallon bucket. Stir well.

5. After stirring, you'll have a bucket full of vaguely soapy water. Let it sit overnight without the lid. The next day it will look like Jell-o. Use between 1/2 cup to 1 cup per load of laundry.

* Can be purchased at WinCo Foods
** Can be purchased at Home Depot for around $3

This bucket of laundry detergent should last 1 year. Is safe to use in front loading (HE) washing machines.

Submitted by Shantel Teeter, Star 1st Ward