Laundry detergent, we all use it. This seems to be one of the big expenses at the grocery store. We want to encourage you to make up a batch, save some for yourself and drop some off at GodSong Community Church, home of the non-food pantry.  Below, you will see what you need to get started.

NEW Liquid Recipe (no grating!):

Makes one gallon

Pour the ingredients in an empty gallon jug.  Using a small plastic funnel helps.

Pour 4 cups of VERY HOT tap water into the jug (does not need to be boiling).  Swirl each bottle until all of the ingredients are dissolved.

Fill the rest of the jug almost to the top with cold water.  Bubbles will overflow out of the bottle.

This is a very thin recipe, but works just as well.  Works fine in HE washers, very low to no suds.  You may end up using more than the thicker versions, but all is needed is one cup per load.

This ends up costing around 17 cents per gallon!

Thanks to One Good Thing By Jillee for the recipe.

Old Liquid Recipe:

  • Measuring cup
  • 5.5 oz Fels Naphtha Bar soap, grated (about 1 cup)
  • Washing soda (yellow box in the laundry aisle)
  • Borax
  • Cheese grater
  • Funnel
  • 5 gallon bucket
  • Empty gallon-size containers (milk jugs or old laundry detergent containers)

Put grated Fels Naptha in saucepan and cover with water.  Heat on low until dissolved.

Pour 4 gallons of hot tap water into the bucket and add dissolved soap. Stir to combine.

Add 1 cup washing soda and 1 cup borax and mix well.

As it cools, it will thicken. If mixture becomes too thick, add hot water to thin it to desired consistency.  May be used immediately.

Mix well before each use. Use 1/2(normal) to 1 cup per load (heavy).

Dry Recipe:

2 cups Fels Naptha Soap (finely grated – you could also try Ivory soap, Sunlight bar soap, Kirk’s Hardwater Castile, and Zote)
1 cup Washing Soda
1 cup Borax

  • Mix well and store in an airtight plastic container.
  • Use 2 tablespoons per full load.