Last year my friend Kayola posted a recipe to make laundry detergent. I have made my 4th batch and have been pleased with the clean, fresh results on my family of men's clothes and an occasional frilly garment of mine. I have saved alot of money this past year making my own laundry detergent and used the extra money to buy yummy smelling fabric softener. You only need 2 Tablespoons of detergent for each load. This detergent will work in top loading and front loading machines. If you have a front loader you will only need to add a bit of warm water to the detergent in a small bowl and give it a stir to help the soap begin to dissolve. 
You will need: One 4 pound box of Borax
One 4 pound box of Arm & Hammer Laundry Soda
Two 4 pound boxes of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda
One and 1/3 bars of Zote Laundry soap, grated or
Two bars of Fels Naptha Laundry soap, grated.
I found all of these ingredients at my loca grocery store and Walmart. I mix everything together in a 5 gallon bucket and then transfer it to a pretty glass jar. This batch of laundry detergent lasts for months and I feel like a smart, frugal gal. Nothing wrong with that.
This lovely plate that is displayed in my laundry room is a small trinket I took from my dear mother's house while she was gallivanting in Arizona. Hope you don't mind Mom, I'll give it back if I must, but I feel empowered every time I read it.
This cute little stitchery hangs in my laundry room across from my antique washboards, my mom, sister and I all made this and my dad made each of us the frame they are displayed in. My dad makes beautiful frames.
I hope each of you get a bug to try this laundry detergent. I love it. Put something in your laundry room that makes you feel, cute and sassy when you look at it and laundry won't be such an UGLY chore.
