After looking at numerous laundry detergent recipes I have finally found one that is a keeper. It is inexpensive,(17 dollars for everything including the 5 gallon bucket) easy to make and use and best of all leaves our clothes soft and smelling fresh. I like it so much I thought I would share.
1 4 lb 12 oz box Borax (2.15 kg or 76 oz) found in the detergent isle
1 4 lb box Arm & Hammer Baking Soda (1.81 kg) found in the cooking isle
1 box Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda 55 oz (3 lb 7 oz) found in the detergent isle
3 bars of Fels-naptha soap,(smells a little like goat milk to me) found in the detergent isle or Pink Zote soap, which I use and found at Home Depot. It has a citronella smell which I like better. You need to grate the bars and add them to the rest of the ingredients.
2 small containers of oxyclean or store brand oxyclean (try to get about 3.5 lbs total (1.58 kg)) found in the detergent isle.
(this is optional, I added it into mine because I have 3 boys and need all the help I can get)
Mix all ingredients together.I bought a 5 gallon bucket from Home Depot to mix it in and store it. Then I have a smaller container that I keep on the washer. I have been told that if you average 8 loads of laundry a week it should last for roughly 9 months. Since I have only been using it for about a month I cannot yet confirm this. Anyway, if you try it, I hope you enjoy it!
Merry Christmas!