Homemade Laundry Soap

Today I tried my hand at making homemade laundry soap.  This is the recipe the Duggars use.  It was so easy and quick to make it's ridiculous.  I made it in 20 minutes with little kids running around.  We'll see how it does.   According to the "I Can Teach My Child" website this will do 180 loads for $11.54 for supplies.  It would be even cheaper the next time because all you'd have to buy is the bar of soap.  Anyway... onto the recipe in case you want to try it along with me and my pics.

Borax
Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda (NOT baking soda)
Fels-Naptha Soap Bar (I bought two at Ace Hardware)- in fact Ace had everything but the Borax
5 gallon bucket with lid
Essential oil drops for fragrance (optional)- I am using the lemon essential oil I have

1.  Grate the entire bar of the Fels-Naptha soap
2.  Put in a pot with 4 C of hot water.  Stir continuously over medium-low heat until all the soap flakes and dissolved and melted (about 10 min).  It should be slightly foamy with no chunks or flakes to be found.
3.  Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot water.
4.  Pour in the soap mixture.  Add 1 C of Arm and Hammer Washing Soda and 1/2 C Borax.  Stir.
5.  Fill the rest of the 5 gallon bucket with water until it is full.  Stir again.
6.  Cover and let it sit overnight.
7.  When you open the top up the next day, it should have gelled and thickened slightly.  Stir again and add essential oil if you want.  10-15 drops per 2 gallons.
8.  Use a funnel to pour the mixture in a used/clean laundry detergent container only HALF full.  Fill the rest of the way with water and shake.

*When you are ready to use shake it first and then 5/8 C for a regular top loading machine and 1/4 C for a front loading (HE) machine.

The Fels-Naphtha bar waiting to be melted.

Melted.

Before the lid went on.  Can you see little feet?  They were very curious as to what I was doing.

I've heard this detergent is like ALL Free and Clear.  We'll see.