DIY // Homemade All-Natural Liquid Laundry Detergent

I've just used the last of my supply of powdered all-natural laundry detergent and it worked great.  Rather than just refilling, I thought I'd try out the liquid version and boy, do I like it!  First off, both the powdered and liquid detergents are HE safe.  Second, it makes so much more for about the same cost and Third, you can add scent to it.  {I added lavender essential oil}. I think I'm a homemade liquid detergent convert!

What You'll Need:

• 5 gallon bucket
• 4 Cups Hot Water {Plus about 3 1/2 more gallons}
• Fels-Naptha Soap Bar
• 1 C. Washing Soda
• 1/2 C. Borax
• Essential Oil

Grate soap, mix grated soap with hot tap water & heat over medium heat until melted.  Fill 5-gallon bucket halfway full with hot tap water.  Add soap & water mixture, stir.  Add washing soda & borax, stir. Fill the rest of the way with water. Let cool.  Add 50 drops essential oil, stir.  Let sit 24 hours.  Uncover & stir well.  Fill separate container halfway with soap & the rest of the way with water.

Use 1/4 C. for Front Loading machine and 1/2 C. for Top Loading machines.

This is very easy to make and works great!  Plus, it's safer to have around and will cost you less than anything you can find in the grocery store.  A lot less.  10 gallons of this homemade laundry detergent costs less than $5.  Jaw dropping, right?

Want to get rid of your dryer sheets too?  Well, put about 1 cup of vinegar into your rinse cycle.  Your clothes will come out wrinkle free.  And one more tip - with summer right around the corner, forgo the energy busting dryer and hang those clothes out on a line.  Nothing is fresher than outdoor dried sheets!

So what about you guys?  Tossing any commercial items and replacing them with homemade versions?  I'd love to hear about all of them!