It's easy. Just have to remember to stir.

I've heard not to expect foam from most of the formulas and that you have to get used to no added perfumey smells (unless you add the scent). And one person stated that it worked best if you added a bit of vinegar to the rinse cycle, which better rinses the clothes and makes them softer if hung from a clothesline.

What are your experiences?

I use ivory soap and as long as we can handle our laundry smelling like ivory soap then it is fine. I use the concentrated stuff for stains and it works ok. A guy online did a test using Tide and the homemade stuff and according to his test it worked just as well. I also use vinegar instead of fabric softener. Clothes come out fine except for the static cling.

Sounds like a winner-perfect for the first spring day when clothes can go back on the line!

3 pints water
1/3 bar Fels Naptha
1/2 cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda
1/2 cup Borax

Dissolve Fels completely in 3 pints of water over low heat
Add Washing Soda and Borax. Stir until thickened.

Add 1 quart of hot water to 2 gallon bucket. Add soap mixture and stir well.
Add enough water to make 2 gallons.

I use a clear kitty litter bucket with lid when I make mine. I took a permanent marker and marked
where the quart and 2 gallon levels are, so I don't have to bother measuring.

Needs a couple hours to "set", and you have to shake it well before you add to the washer.
I probably put in about 1/2 to 3/4 cup depending on the load. Don't expect a lot of suds, but suds
aren't what get your clothes clean anyway.

I ran out of dishwashing soap a couple years back, and decided to give this mixture a shot. Worked great.
Dishes came out nice and shiny clean, so I quit buying that too.

I figure I have saved hundreds of $$$ over the past 5 years.

Most of the recipes out there are similar. Some substitute Ivory for the Fels but most are the same.

I've heard it works well and is very cheap.

anyway.... ph increaser is 100% sodium carbonate... it is the same thing as the washing soda and I use that because I haven't been able to find the washing soda.

I use this recipe....I shred the fels naptha bars in a food processor and then run the shredded soap thru it again wsing the grating blade. It is much easier than grating the bars on a cheese grater.

1bar Fels Naptha (grated)
1cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda
1cup Borax

I do about 4 bars of soap and measure everything into a small plastic bucket with a lid....shake well to mix and put the mixture into smaller containers. I use 2 tablespoons of the mix per large load of wash. It is low sudsing and can be used in the new washers. It dissolves well in warm or cold water. We use fabric sofener or fabric sheets (in the dryer) for a more refreshing scent on our clothing. I've been using this recipe for about 2 years and feel it is easier on the clothes than the store bought detergents.

There is some interest here and I'm sure some of the posters will be very glad to have the recipe.