I've made the powdered forms of laundry soap and I like them except for the grating, powder flying while blenderizing and getting in my lungs, as well as having to wait for the powder to dissolve in the wash water. I've made the liquid and I like those except for the separating issues and the large quantity needed for storage.
My sister recently gave me a recipe for a no grate, no clump, really easy and quickly made and unbelievably cheap laundry detergent that I really love! It only requires only 2 Tbsp. Dawn, 1/3 cup washing soda, 1/4 cup borax and hot water for a gallon of laundry soap.
I have gone through a batch and it works. You still need to pretreat, but I have really been amazed by this DIY product. Men's greasy overalls may need some of your other heaviest duty detergent. But I am comfortable using this for 98% of my washes and the results are very good. If something is really filthy, I use baking soda and vinegar along with my detergent.
It probably is less than $.25 a gallon, but I am not going to do the math! ;)
Hope this blesses you as much as it has blessed me!
P.S. I have a top loader and I don't know if it works for front loaders. I would suggest you make a 1/2 batch and try it out.
Source: Beverly at The Make Your Own Zone Site, she has great recipes and tips: http://www.themakeyourownzone.com/2013/10/homemade-laundry-soap-made-dawn.html
Making your own liquid laundry soap is not only economical, but you can control the ingredients used. However this DIY laundry product tends to separate.
This is a page about storing homemade liquid laundry soap. Homemade liquid laundry soap can be stored in a wide variety of containers from plastic milk jugs to lidded buckets.
Diluted dish soap is used by many people in place of laundry detergent. This is a page about how to make your own laundry soap with dish soap.
