Money Saving Tips - Laundry Detergent and Fabric Softener

Thanks to Stephanie Cooper for providing the instructions below on how to economically put together your own Laundry Detergent and Fabric Softener.

Liquid Laundry Detergent

1 bar Fels-Naptha soap (grated)
2 cups Washing Soda
1 cup Borax
Grate the soap bar into a small saucepan. Cover with hot water. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring continually, until the soap completely dissolves.
Put washing soda and Borax in a 5-gallon bucket. Pour in the hot, melted soap mixture. Stir well, until all the powder is dissolved. Fill the bucket to the top with more hot tap water. Stir, cover securely, and let set overnight. The next morning, stir the mixture. Mix equal amounts of the soap concentrate and water in a smaller laundry-detergent dispenser or container. Shake before using.
For top-loading machines: Use 1 cup of the soap mixture per load
For front-loading machines: Use 1/2 cup per load

Dry Laundry Detergent

1 bar Fels-Naptha laundry soap
1 cup Washing Soda
1 cup Borax
1/2 cup Oxyclean
In a large bowl, mix together the washing soda, borax,and the oxyclean. In a separate bowl, shred the Fels/Naptha bar with a hand grater. In a food processer, attach the metal blade and about 1/2 cup of the dry mixgture with the shredded soap. Process until it is the texture of sand. Dump the soap mixture intot eh remaining dry mixture and combint thoroughly. Use about 1 heaping 2-Tablespoon scoop per full laundry load. Make sure to put in the detergent in your washer first when water is filling. That way it can begin to dissolve.

Fabric Softener

2 cups hair conditioner (fragrance of your choice)
3 cups white vinegar
6 cups hot water

Combine all ingredients well. Store in a container and cover tightly. Old fabric softener bottles work well.
Use 1/4 cup per load.