I make my own soap With Ivory soap, Borax, and Arm and Hammer Washing soda - cost about $2 for 80 loads or aprox 300 loads for HE machine.
Grate 1 1/2 bar of Ivory soap into 2 Cups hot water in pot and stir constantly over med heat until melted.
Pour this mix into a plastic bin (rubermaid or whatever)
Add 3/4 C of Borax and 3/4 C of Washing soda then add 38 cups of warm water, mix well, let sit overnight (will end up looking like glob of half set jello) I use a braun hand mixer I got from a thrift store for $1 and blend it smooth, then you add another 40 C of warm water.
Use 1 C of the soap per large load - top loader
Use 1/3 C of the soap for HE machines.
Add more borax and washing soda if you have hard water.
This soap works great and is super cheap. You can also add a couple drops of essential oil for fragrance and use vinegar in the rinse cycle.
