Homemade Laundry Soap. - Cleveland,TN

This has been discussed quite a few times here, so you can search it above on the right and probably find more info.

I have a 14 year old top load machine (runs great) and I use this recipe:
1 bar of Fels Naptha (grated)
1 C. of Arm and Hammer Washing Soda
1 C. of Borax.

Use 1-2 Tbsp. per load (I use 2 because my washer is large capacity).

You can add vinegar for fabric softener.

I love it - works great.

ETA: I've never heard of Zote - I'll look into it.

I do the same as Veruca, except I also add some oxyclean powder, Downy Unstoppables, and a bit of baking soda as well. I was using FelsNaptha, but since I switched to Zote, I like the scent of the laundry much better. It smells wonderful! (before, it didn't really have a scent when it was done).

I also use plain white vinegar (in the huge bottle) as a fabric softener.

I love it. I actually made some up in mason jars and gave them as gifts to a few people at Christmas. I've already had one woman text me that she LOVES it. :D

My husband makes it for me. He shaves up Zote and he uses TSP trisodium phosphate found at Ace Hardware (better than oxy clean) and mixes it with water in the blender. The container we keep it in is the container from cheese balls. We didn't know what to put it in and this was the biggest and best container we could find.

I've been making my laundry soap for a couple of years. I like it. It does just as well as the store brands (if not better, but I'm not guaranteeing laundry miracles!), and it's definitely less expensive.

There are a number of recipes for both dry soap and "wet" soap, but the main ingredients are usually the same. I make mine on the stove; it took me quite a while the first couple of times, but now I have it done in 15 minutes.

1/3 of a 14-oz. bar of Zote soap, or a whole 5-oz. bar of Fels-Naphtha Soap (I find that Zote is easier to grate, and I like the pink color)
1/2 c. borax
1/2 c. washing soda
A 2-gallon bucket (I use a clean cat-litter bucket because it has a top)

Grate the soap and put it in a large pot.

Add 6 cups water, and heat the mixture until the soap melts.

Add the washing soda and the borax, one at at time (I usually reduce the heat a bit, because the mixture will start rising to the top of the pot). Stir until each is dissolved. Remove the pot from the heat.

Pour 4 cups of hot water into the bucket. Add the soap mixture to the bucket and stir.

Add 1 gallon plus 6 cups (22 cups in all) water. Stir.

Let the soap sit for 24 hours. It will become a semi-gel - somewhat solid, somewhat watery.

I use 1/2 cup per full load. This is a low-sudsing soap.