Originally Posted by pattipat
This sounds like something I would like to try. But what is washing soda? :?:
Washing soda is sodium carbonate, NOT TO BE CONFUSED with sodium bi-carbonate which is baking soda. You can find it in most grocery stores in the laundry section. WalMart does not carry it. I have used the following recipe for two years:
1/3 bar grated Fels Naptha or Zote, or 1 whole bar grated Ivory
1 cup Arm & Hammer washing soda
2 cups Twenty Mule Team Borax (1 cup if you have soft water)
Melt soap in 4 cups water on stovetop. Do not boil. Add washing soda and borax and stir to dissolve. Pour into bucket containing 6 cups warm water. Add 1 gallon + 6 cups tap water. Stir and let sit overnight. It will have a gel on top and liquid on bottom. Stir before using. To counter the separation of gel and liquid, add 1 capful regular laundry detergent. It contains an enzyme that prevents separation. Use 1/4 cup for regular load, 1/2 cup for large load. Final cost: under 2 cents/load!