Homemade powdered laundry soap recipe
If you prefer powdered laundry soap, then follow this recipe.

Ingredients:
1 bar Ivory Soap (or 2/3 bar Fels Naptha)
1/2 cup Borax
1/2 cup Washing Soda (found in the laundry aisle)

Grate 1 bar of Ivory soap (or other not strongly scented bar soap). Add 1/2 cup of borax. Add 1/2 cup washing soda. Mix together and store in air tight container. Use 1-2 tablespoons per load.

Both recipes are for a low-sudsing detergent and work especially well in high efficiency washing machines.