Blowin' in the wind laundry soap (the easy version)*

In an attempt to be more Eco-savy and save money I have made some changes in my cleaning regimen. One of these changes includes making my own laundry detergent. I have had some friends ask for my recipe so here it is:


Ingredients and Equipment:
3.1 ounces of Castille bar soap
1 cup of 20 Mule Team Borax
1/2 cup of Arm and Hammer Washing Soda
Cheese grader
Medium sized pot
5 gallon bucket to store the detergent (yes, this makes a lot!)
Measuring cup with spout (to measure and transfer the detergent)
A smaller container to store and easily access the detergent when your ready to do laundry


How to make it:
Shave the soap into small strips with the cheese grader.
In a cooking pot add 5 cups of water and the shredded castille soap.
Bring the water just shy of a boil to melt the soap strips.
In the 5 gallon bucket pour 3 gallons of warm water
Add the melted castille/water mixture to the bucket
Add Arm and Hammer washing soda
Add Borax
Stir.
Add essential oil (~20 drops - I use Lavendar) for scent.
Stir



FYI:

Before using your detergent stir or shake the container
Use 1 cup on average load of laundry; 1&1/2 - 1&3/4 cup may be needed for heavy duty cleaning.

*Homemade laundry detergent is a treat...in contrast to the highly synthetic laundry soap available at the supermarket, this version contains only pure basic ingreadients - nothing more. The Borax is thought to quicken the sudsing action, retard the formation of mildew, and soften water...The baking soda...freshens clothes by ridding them of perspiration and odors...Homemade soap loses stain contests, but is does a beautiful job cleanding more average loads of laundry. I keep a bottle of spray and wash type laundry treatments handy for blood, grass, and tomato sauce, but this old-fashioned laundry soap formula leaves towels and clothing clean and fresh after normal wear and tear. (Susan Miller Cavitch, The Soapmaker's Companion)