Curiosity cleaned the cat

I'm not so sure what really made me investigate this project, but I am certain half of it had something to do with the ridiculous price of laundry detergent. Although, isn't this a chronological requirement of being in a certain age group [cough *over 40* cough] - that you start complaining about the price of stuff? The other half of my interest is attributed to the curious child trapped inside me, when I thought "Wow, I never realized detergent was something you could make". I must have assumed detergent was only make-able by companies with "special" ingredients.
So I completed extensive research, found this was safe and economic, then put out the sign: The Lab is OPEN!
If you are interested, or inclined to make your own, I have a picture here of all the ingredients you will need + the recipe: (click pic to enlarge)
Liquid Laundry Detergent

2 cups of grated Fels Naptha laundry bar (lightly packed)
2 cups Borax
2 cups Washing Soda (this is NOT baking soda)
water
large pail w/ cover, to mix (and store, if desired)

**use 1/4 to 1/2 cup per load**

In a sauce pan, add one quart water and the grated Fels Naptha. Warm this on medium heat, stir occasionally, to melt the soap (don't boil). To the large pail, add borax and washing soda. Gently stir in two gallons of hottest tap water and stir until powders are dissolved (I used a large slotted spatula). Now stir in the melted mixture from the stove. You will see right away that the mixture is congealing. Continue to stir a couple of minutes, let cool, then cover and let sit overnight.
When I checked mine in the morning, it was set-up like jello. Stirring it will break up the mixture, creating an expected "glop". I scooped some into a mason jar and shook, which will thoroughly mix and make soap pourable. I found it easier to use my emulsion blender ( hand blender) to speed blend the soap, then poured it into containers for storage.
The picture below kind of shows how it looks a little like melted ice cream. (Comments below)
This worked great for me. The first load I did was of dirty dog towels and dog sheets. I thought this would be a good test of dirt removal. I have an extra large capacity *he* washer and used 1/2 cup of soap. All the items came totally clean. For regular daily clothes, I would use 1/3 c for my size loads.

***This is great for *he* washers since it does NOT suds. No suds at all.
***The Fels Naptha is a laundry product (although in my grocery store, its in the body soap aisle). It is a laundry bar/stain remover. I grated mine in my food processor (then rinsed very well). I also bathe with this soap if I have been anywhere near poison ivy - I'm just sayin'.
*** Washing Soda is NOT the same thing as baking soda. I found it at Meijers (also at Krogers). Washing Soda is a laundry booster, similar to the Borax - so if you would use these products in your washer/laundry system, they are fine here, too. Washing Soda and Borax are found in the laundry aisle.
***This recipe does make a couple gallon batch, and considering you use so little for each laundry load, you can split a batch w/a friend, or only make 1/2 a recipe.

My price breakdown:
Fels Naptha = $1.59
Washing Soda = $2.99 ($1 worth used)
Borax = $3.59 ($1.25 worth used)
Which makes the entire batch cost = $3.85 for two finished gallons (makes 64 X-large loads, or 128 normal loads). This is 6 cents per X-large load!!!

After all the research I did, THIS is the site I found most informative, and there is a link for more recipes which include powdered options.
Another recent laundry change I have made, is to use white vinegar in my final rinse instead of liquid softener. Liquid softener has build up on your clothes, plus on the washer/hoses. I added about 25 drops of lavender essential oil to a gallon of vinegar then just give it a quick shake before adding to your softener dispenser. There is NO, let me say this again, NO odor of vinegar left behind.

If anyone else tries this, leave me a comment.