I recently tried a recipe I found searching "Dollar Strecher Laundry Detergent Recipe" on google.  I remember having read it a long time ago, and Google helped me find it....

This is for a liquid soap that you "cook" to melt the grated Fels Naptha in the water.  I think it was about 1/3 bar Fels Naptha to several cups water, plus 1/2 cup Washing Soda and 1/2 cup Borax.

My experiences using this mixture were not so great.  I don't really feel like the soap did anything at all.  It didn't foam up in the machine at all...I knew it wouldn't foam much, but I really didn't see any evidence of cleaning.  My bath towels started to smell like...well...B.O...due to my bf staying over and using them.  (Yes, they were washed between uses, and STILL smelled!)  I don't have any kids nor did I have any really soiled clothes, but the towels smelling like an ARMPIT when I am freshly out of the shower and drying off my face...definite turn-off!

I am eager to try another homemade laundry detergent recipe, have already grated up my bar of Fels Naptha (which I really love the smell of!  Smells like my grandmother's house!).  Does anyone have input on other liquid recipes, or should I try a powdered one this time?

juju_mommy:

I'm using the exact same recipe and haven't had any problems... BUT... though I mix it up as a powder recipe, I nuke it in some water in the microwave to dissolve well before adding to the wash. Also, I put vinegar in my rinses mostly b/c DH's clothes can get nasty due to the nature of his job/work.

I love making my own too for all of the same benefits you listed! Just try dissolving first and see if that helps. Also, you may want to try the vinegar trick too. Works for me!

Thanks, Julie.  I'll try nuking it in water to dissolve it better as well as the vinegar in the rinse. How much vinegar do you use per load?  I was thinking of using one of those Downy rinse balls to put the vinegar in.

Penny