Home-Made Laundry Soap

I found a recipe in a magazine for making your own laundry soap.  I don't remember what magazine.  It was just sitting on the table at work.....and it was months ago.  If you happen to know what magazine this  was printed in, please let me know.  I would love to give credit where credit is due. Is "recipe" appropriate for something that's not food?  It doesn't sound right.  Oh well.  I'm trying it today.  I did the math and, though the ingredients require a minor up-front investment (approximately $25), it turned out to be cheaper per load than the laundry soap on the store shelf.  With most of the ingredients, once you buy them, you can get several batches made before having to buy more. AND!  I can make it with any scent I choose, using essential oils.  Melting the soap right now.  I'll have to let you know how it works.  Or, if you want, you can try it too!  Here's what you need (everything here is available at your local Walmart, Meijer, or Lowe's):

• 1 - 5 gallon bucket, with lid
• 1 - metal cheese grater
• 1 - bar of gentle soap (a non-lotion variety such as Dr. Bronnor's or Ivory)
• 1 cup of washing soda (NOT baking soda)
• 1 cup Borax
• 4 gallons plus 4 cups of water
• essential oil of choice (I used Lavender) - optional

Grate the entire bar of soap with the cheese grater.  Place into a stainless steel saucepan, with 4 cups of water, on the stove.  Heat, stirring regularly, until all the soap is dissolved.  Set aside.

Put 4 gallons of warm water into the gallon bucket.  Thoroughly stir in the borax and washing soda.  When those are dissolved, stir in the warm, melted soap.  At this point, add whatever essential oil, if any, that you chose.  It did not say HOW MUCH essential oil to use.  I suppose it depends on the scent you chose and how strongly you want your laundry soap to smell.  I have never worked with essential oils before, so I used 10 drops in this batch.  When I was done stirring it, it seemed a little weak, so I may use more next time.  

Place the lid tightly onto the bucket, and allow the mixture to sit overnight.  The next morning, you will find it has a thick, gelatinous consistency to it.  Use a long spoon (I will be using one of the long, thick paint sticks they make JUST for 5 gallon buckets) to break it up and stir it.  You will probably not be able to break up ALL the lumps, but that's OK.  This soap is now usable!  It can be stored, covered, for two months.  If you don't think you'll use it in that time, you can reduce the recipe.  Use 1 cup per load of laundry.  

Good luck!  Let me know how it turned out.