Household hacks -- laundry

As the retired half of our household, a few more of the household chores have come my way. For several years, we have been making our own laundry soap. And when I say we -- I mean Chris has been making it and we have been using it. But the last few times that we have run out, making a new batch has fallen to me.

Just for something useful to write, I thought I'd share our laundry soap recipe.
We tried a few different recipes, including both dry and liquid. This one is modified a little from the original and works well for us. On occasion, we still add a little all fabric bleach and we still use bleach with some loads.

You will need:

1 bar of Fels-Naptha soap
1 cup of washing soda
1 cup Borax
5 gallon bucket or large container

Grate the bar of soap and add to a large sauce pan of hot water. Stir over low heat until the soap has completely melted and dissolved in the water. Fill your 5 gallon bucket to the halfway point with hot water. Add your melted soap and dry ingredients and stir until everything is dissolved. Fill the container the rest of the way with hot water.

The original recipe was for 10 gallons and called for 1 cup per load. We decided on 5 gallons and use 1/2 cup per load. We also fill an old detergent bottle to dispense from. The mixture will separate between uses, forming a thick layer on the top and will need to be shaken or stirred before each use.

We also make our own dryer sheets by soaking cloths in fabric softener, wringing them out and letting them dry. They will last for many loads. I suggest buying inexpensive wash cloths or shop rags. I make 5 at a time. They hang on a hook by the dryer and will last the two of us a season.

John <><