I've used it and didn't see where it did any wonderful job cleaning so I just went back to regular store bought stuff. I always use a "free and clear" variety except for dog blankets which need a bit more help...HA!

I got Jasdips wonderful recipe.

HOMEMADE LIQUID LAUNDRY DETERGENT
4 cups hot water
1 Ivory or Sunlight bar soap (Fels Naptha)
1 cup washing soda
ý cup Borax
Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan of hot water. Stir constantly over medium-low heat until soap is all melted.
Fill a 5-gallon pail ý full of hot water. Add melted soap, washing soda and borax. Stir well until the powder is dissolved. Fill bucket with more hot water.
Stir, cover and let sit overnight.
The next morning the pail will be all gelled and very thick. Stir with a stick to break it up. Fill a laundry jug half-full of the detergent, and top with more water.
Shake before each use.
Use ý cup for top-load machines, and ü for front-load.
Use the thickened, undiluted soap as a pre-treater.

I use it at the moment. Have used it on an off, but can't beat the price, and go back to it all the time.

The judge is still out on the whites... I wear a white collared shirt every day at work. So far, in my eyes, they are still white.

Sometimes, when I have a stain, I put some on the stain direct, scrub it in a bit, with a toothbrush, or nail brush, and launder. I understand, it can discolor your item, but so far, so good. I never pre treat longer than 15 or so minutes before washing.

But, Jodi, I have never used the dry.

I just bought a paint stirrer, you put on your drill, which does wonders of breaking the stuff back up, to fill your laundry soap bottles again. :)

Moni

I may give it another try, I have all the stuff to make it...that is the same recipe I use.

I have been using it again for the past six months or so......seems like my clothes are cleaner and brighter.
I use a bar of Zote soap, which is easy to find here locally, 1/2 cup washing soda and 1/2 cup borax powder.
I grate the soap in my food processor using the small grater and then chop it up more finely with the metal blade.
I add the powders in a Tupperware container with a lid......then I shake it up until thoroughly mixed.
I am amazed how soft the clothes come out, too......even when I had stuff on the clothesline.
We do have softened water so maybe that makes a difference.
I know some people use a vinegar rinse but I never do.
And it is very economical!

It made my whites dingy for sure... and it's made with "soap"... think of your shower doors and walls... build up. I did not like the smell of Fels Naptha, it has a chemical smell to me. I do like the smell of Zote but it's still soap. Water harness probably does make a difference, I have no idea what mine is.....

I use the dry homemix detergent for the past 3 years on my top load washer. I love it. It cleans well and leave a clean smell. It washes blood well too!

I didn't noticed any gray or residue on my laundry. Perhaps, if the mixture is not balanced well, it will leave gray and residue. I also let the water level goes up a few inches before pouring in the detergent. Then, I throw in the laundry.

Here's the recipe I use:
1/2 bar of Zote, grated
3 cups of Washing Soda
4-1/2 cups Borax
Mix these 3 ingredients together well. This amount of mixture fits well in 1 large can (27.8 oz.) of coffee.

Usage for 1 large size of laundry: For top load washer use 2 Tablespoons. For front load washer, use 1 Tablespoon.

I forgot to mention, I use the 14.1 oz. bar of Zote. That's why I only use half of the bar for the recipe above.

From what I understood, Zote is a laundry bar.

Well, since I had the ingredients and needed to do laundry, I went ahead and grated the Fels Naptha (with my handy dandy zester) added a cup of washing soda and a cup of Borax and shook well. Added about a quarter cup of OxyClean as well to help keep the gray down.

I did a load of whites in cold water using two tablespoons of the mix and all seemed to come out nice and clean though not very soft. I'll have to add softener next time.

I figure in the time it takes to use up four cups of laundry soap, not too much can go wrong. We'll see.

I love the smell of the Fels Naptha while I was 'zesting' it but didn't smell any of it on the actual clean laundry. Bummer.

Jodi-

I've used the dry recipe for several years and am pleased with it. Our water has lots of iron in it and I wash in cold water and don't notice clothes looking any worse than they did with the 'boughten' detergent.

I used the liquid version and thought that it was terrible!
It was a waste of time, effort and money!

I'll stick to my tide with bleach and bluing.

I have been making and using the liquid for some years and have no problem with it. Even make it for my kids and granddaughter. I would not go back to store bought if I can help it. I do have a water softener. Do you use a vinegar rinse?

Sue