Laundry Detergent

I love making my own things. About a year ago, I decided to start making my own laundry detergent.  The most recent time I made a batch, I calculated my savings.  Each load costs me $0.04 compared to Tide, which is $0.18 per load.  We are saving about 75% each load.  Here is the link of the recipe I've used the past 4 times.

Recipe:
-1 bar of soap, grated
-1 cup of washing soda
-1 cup of borax
-2 gallons of water (one cold)

Grate the soap.  Add the soap to a large pot.  Add a gallon of water to the pot.  Heat until the soap dissolves. Add the borax and washing soda.  Pre-pour your gallon of cold water and set aside. Stir constantly and bring to a boil.  (Don't forget to stir!  Don't walk away!  It will boil over and be realllllllyyyyy soapy messy all over your stove. This happened to me the first TWO times I made it.)  Once you brought it to a boil, remove from heat. Add the cold water while stirring. Using a funnel, pour the detergent into your containers.  Let it cool and gel for about 24 hours before use.  Shake before use and use 1/2 cup per load.

Tips:
-NEVER stop stirring or monitoring the detergent after you add the borax and soda.  Like I mentioned above, it will boil over and become a disaster!
-Before you make it, start saving study containers.  Juice containers are perfect!  The gallon jugs are too flimsy for shaking.  It makes more than 2 gallons, so plan containers for that.
-When you pour the detergent, leave some space at the top.  If it's too full, you won't be able to shake it.  You really need 2 people to pour it because the pot is really hot and heavy.  I utilize a strong husband to pour it and I hold the funnel.
-You can add a couple drops of essential oil to make it slightly scented.

This picture was of the third time I made it.  (Note: this picture was taken before the detergent had fully set.  It's more viscous and thick once it's fully set.)