Homemade Laundry Detergent

On my journey to becoming more natural and more frugal, I've tried my hand at making my own laundry detergent for the first time!  I've been wanting to find a natural laundry detergent for quite a while and have been planning on making my own for a long while too.  So I've done a lot of researching and looked at a lot of different recipes.  I got this recipe from Passionate Homemaking (thanks Lindsay!) and from my sister who modified it just a little bit (thanks Shannon!).  What I love about this recipe is that it is cheap and it is natural.  With the added bonus that it's really not that hard to make!  I wanted to share this recipe so that you will feel confident that you too can make your own natural laundry detergent.

Homemade Laundry Detergent
1 cup liquid castile soap (I use Dr. Bronner's lavender soap)
1 gallon water
1/2 cup salt
1 cup baking soda or washing soda
vinegar (optional)

Heat a few cups of water to boiling.

Slowly mix in the baking soda and salt until dissolved.  {Note that if you don't allow the water to stop boiling before pouring the baking soda and salt in, it will foam up and overflow.}

Pour water mixture into a gallon jug (I used an old plastic vinegar jug).

Next add the castile soap, then fill the jug the rest of the way with water.

Shake before each use.  Use 1/4 - 1/2 cup per load.

You can also add a Tbsp. or two of vinegar during the rinse cycle for a disinfectant and fabric softener.

I think this comes out to around .06 cents per load which is cheaper than what I usually by on sale which is about .09 - .12 cents per load.

*I'm really liking this homemade laundry detergent so far (partially because I love the lavender smell), but I also have another recipe in mind that I want to try.  I'll keep you updated if I end up trying another one to let you know what is my favorite.  :-)