1 (4 lb 12 oz) Box of Borax
1 (3 lb 7 oz) Box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
1 (3 lb) Container of OxiClean
2 (14.1 oz) Bars of Fels-Naphta
1 (5 lb) Bag of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda
20 drops Wild Orange Essential Oil from dōTERRA
All of these ingredients can be found in the detergent isle at your local grocery store, except for the Arm & Hammer Baking Soda, that will be on the cooking isle.
1. Using a cheese grater, grate the Fels-Nephta soap. Once it’s grated put it in a blender, or food processor, and pulse until it’s a powder.
2. Add the Fels-Neptha powder to a large bucket (at least 2 gallons), then add remaining ingredients. Stir well with a large spoon.
3. Scoop about 1/2 of the mixture out into a smaller bowl. Add 20 drops of the wild orange essential oil. When you first add the oil to the powder it will be chunky but mix it with a fork until it is all broken up, then add it back to the bucket and stir. If you want the citrus smell to be even stronger, repeat this step.
Once the detergent is mixed well, add it to an air tight container(s) to store. When using the detergent, start the washing machine, let it fill up with a little water, then add 2-3 Tablespoons (I use the scoop that came in the Arm&Hammer Baking Soda bag) of the detergent to the water before adding your clothes. This detergent will not sud or bubble, but don’t worry it’s cleaning your clothes like a champ!
It can also be used in front loading HE washing machines! Since homemade laundry detergent doesn't contain a sudsing agent it is safe for a high-efficiency washer. For front-loading machines, use about two tablespoons of your homemade detergent and mix the detergent with two tablespoons of hot water before adding to the dispenser