Homemade Laundry Detergent

I just made my second batch of laundry detergent this morning because I love it!  I don't know how long the first 5 gallons lasted me, but it was a long time, it's now November (I just ran out) and I believe I made my first batch in early summer.

This is a variation on the liquid laundry detergent recipe posted at www.duggarfamily.com.  I've made changes to this recipe due to the VERY hard water where I live.  You can adjust this recipe to suit your needs by adding or reducing the amount washing soda and borax that you use. 

4 Cups - hot tap water
1  bar - Ivory soap (or Fels Naptha)
1 1/4 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
3/4 Cup - Borax
1 - 5 gallon bucket with lid

- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.
-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser 2/3 full with soap and then fill rest of way with hot water. Shake before each use.
-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.
-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes abiout 7 gallons.
-Top Load Machine- 1/2 Cup per load
-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load

*In my top load machine I also add 1/4 cup white vinegar to the fabric softener spot.  No,  my laundry does not smell of vinegar when it is finished washing and I don't need to do extra rinses either.  The vinegar just leaves my clothes and towels so soft, it also prevents/eliminates any detergent build up.

*Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" - in some stores in the laundry aisle or may be purchased through several online retailers. Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!