I followed this recipe exactly and checked on it this morning.  It is nice and firmly gelled.  I'm going to do my first load today.  Now, here is my question.  Last night, as it was cooling I put like 1/4 cup into the sink, plugged it and ran some water.  It didn't really bubble up even as I churned it around with my hand.  Is that normal?  Does this not get bubbly/lathery in the wash?

Thanks!  (Ya, I've been meaning to add it since the retreat :) )

Last week for the first time I made a batch of laundry detergent, the powder type.  I've been using it now exclusively and just love it.  It smells great and cleans the clothes as well as, or if not better than the commercial detergents.  I work two days a week at an Italian deli and when I get home my clothes reek of cheese, tomato sauce, meats, etc.  I had tried all kinds of detergents to see if I could get rid of the odor and nothing worked until I started using the homemade detergent.  My "work clothes" now have a nice clean fragrance and no more deli store odors.  I'll probably never buy commercial laundry detergents again; they're expensive, the containers need to be recycled and they certainly are not good for our environment.  Thank you to all of you who shared favorable remarks abut your homemade detergent.  I'm so glad I tried it!