Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent

September 14, 2012 · by


Buying laundry detergent can put a big dent in any budget, and making my own is one way where I save the bucks.

If you bought 5 gallons worth in the store, you’d be paying around $100!! Maybe even more than that depending on the brand.  But, when you make your own – you can make 5 gallons for less than $2!!  

When I buy all the ingredients for the first load – it comes out to $6.95 – but there is still lots of borax & washing soda left, so all that I need to buy for the next few batches is the Fels Naptha soap (which is really cheap!).


That makes 20 gallons for under $10!


Making your own detergent accounts for some enormous savings!

I buy my ingredients at WalMart, which I’ve found to be the cheapest place to buy them at.  Let me break down my costs for you.

  • Borax – $2.99
  • Washing Soda – $2.99
  • Fels Naptha Soap – $0.97

You can also purchase the ingredients on Amazon, but I’ve found that they are more expensive this way for the borax & washing soda.  However, the Fels Naptha price isn’t bad on there.

You can also use essential oil for scent, but that’s completely optional.  The essential oil adds nothing to the cleaning power, but does give it a nice smell if you’d like to have it.  If you do want the added scent, I really like using orange essential oil because of the clean smell that it has.  Plus, it’s also the one that I recommend for using in my homemade carpet powder. If you purchase it on Amazon (which has a great price on it), it runs about $5.00 for 4 ounces.  You only need 1/2oz to 1oz for a 5 gallon batch (depending on how much scent you want) so it lasts for a good while, and doesn’t add much to the final cost.  Still way cheaper than store bought.

If you’re a Tide detergent lover – check out the tip at the bottom of the post!

So, are you ready to make your own laundry detergent & rack up the savings? I’ll walk you through how I make mine.

Here’s what you need:


 

  • Borax
  • Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (NOT baking soda)
  • 5.5oz Fels-Naptha Soap (you can also use Zote or castile soap – about the same amount, you don’t have to be exactly precise)
  • water
  • 5 gallon bucket

First, you grate up your Fels-Naptha soap.  Or you can substitute Zote (which will make your laundry detergent pink for all your girly-girls) or pure pure castile soap.




Add the soap shreds to a pot with 4 cups of hot water.  Put the heat on medium-high, and stir until completely melted – about 10 minutes.



 
Fill up a 5 gallon bucket halfway with hot water.  Pour in the melted soap mixture.  


Then, stir in 1 cup of borax & 1 cup of washing soda.



If you’re using the essential oil, now is the time to add it.  You add in 1/2oz to 1oz, depending on how scented you want it.  Although, I never really measure it anymore – I just shake in enough drops to where I feel satisfied, and stir.




Now, fill up the bucket with warm water all the way to the top – and stir again.  If you don’t have a utensil long enough to reach the bottom, just put on a pair of rubber dish gloves beforehand.



 
Snap on a lid, and let it sit for 24 hours to gel up.  
***Note: it will be more of a gloppy gel than purely gel, and this is completely normal – and what it should look like. Sort of like egg noodle soup – liquid with gel glops in it.***

At this point, you can divide it up between different containers (empty laundry detergent containers, milk jugs, etc).  I prefer to save 1 laundry detergent container, & refill it as needed to save on space.

A lot of people like to dilute it even more at this step (therefor turning the 5 gallons into 10 gallons) – filling their container halfway with the gel & then the other half with water.  You can choose to do this if you like.  However, my family seems to produce pretty dirty clothes, and I prefer to not dilute mine further.  I feel like the cleaning power is stronger this way. 



For HE front loading washers, use 1/2 cup for a large load.  For regular top-loading washers, use 1 cup for a large load.  You can use stain removers or oxi-clean with this too if you would like – just the same as you would use them with the detergent you buy in the store.

I love this detergent, and have compared it to store-bought & I can’t tell a difference.

***If you are a fan of TIDE, check out this new, updated version that I created – you’ll love it!***

I have attached this neat bucket organizer that my mother gave me around mine.  I use it to organize laundry detergent samples, stain remover, etc.  




You can leave your homemade detergent in the bucket, or you can split up the large batch between empty detergent containers, milk jugs, etc.  

I created this pretty printable label for your homemade detergent containers too.  Just right click to save to your computer to print, or use the printer friendly button at the end of this post.  Enjoy!!



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Filed Under: Cleaning/Housekeeping, DIY, Frugal Living, Household, Make Your Own ·
  • http://www.facebook.com/lizardssnakesdogsandfrogs Sara Rose Nissen

    Super easy! Love it! One quick question though, my soap has been sitting over night and it isn’t really gelling…at all. It is completely liquid. Just sorta cloudy. I am still using is and it seems to be working fine I just thought maybe someone else may have had the same issue. Thanks!

    • MrsHappyHomemaker

      After 24 hours, it should have sort of an egg noddle soup texture…kind of a gloppy gell, and that’s completely normal.

    • Erica

      Yeah, mine seems to have separated?? Chunks of gel & mainly watery :/

      • http://MrsHappyHomemaker.com/ Crystal

        That’s exactly what it should look like – an egg noodle soup consistency is how I describe it in the post. I know it looks odd, but it works great – just give it a shake before using :)

  • Kat

    I use a no grate liquid formula similar to this but there is no cooking. The ingredients are as follows for 1gal: 3 TBSP borax, 4 TBSP washing soda and 3 TBSP Dawn dish soap( original not concentrate) I add the borax and washing soda into a recycled 1 gal bottle then I boil 2 cups of water add that to the bottle and put the lid on and swish it around to dissolve it. Then fill the bottle to about 1″ from the top with warm water then add the dish soap. When I use this I give the bottle a shake before adding it to the wash. It is so easy to make. The best part is it doesn’t take up much space.

    • http://www.facebook.com/angela.sundman Angela Sundman

      I’m trying it! Thanks :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/sgouldingtaylor Sharon Goulding- Taylor

    where do I get the essential oils? are these the ones sold near candles?

    • MrsHappyHomemaker

      Yes, you can get them near the candles in some stores. There’s also a link above to get them off of Amazon too, if you’re interested.

      • Linda

        Will those oils not leave an oily stain on your clothes? I have been scared to try any of those.

  • connie

    I just made this was pretty easy Only problem I had was the essential oil I had to get some at Hobby lobby which was 10.00 but should be able to use 3 times.Can’t wait to see how it goes was fun making it and smells really nice.

    • http://www.facebook.com/cindie.morris2 Cindi Liz Liz Morris

      I don’t use the essential oil in mine at all because the fels naptha soap has such a nice scent to it… citrusy and very clean smelling.

      • Linda

        I feel the same. We really like the smell of the fels naptha soap.

  • Connie

    If you put the Fels Naptha in the microwave for about a minute it will be much easier to grate, It will bubble, let it cool, it will grate into a powder.

  • Jusy

    I’ve been making my own Liquid Laundry Soap for about a year now and totally love it, I sorta use this process but in a different way, I just recently started making my own liquid fabric softener and LOVE it and I am so happy as I like for my clothes to be very clean and have a soft scent to them. :)

  • Brenna @ Life After Laundry

    I am about half way through my first batch and love it. Thanks for the info about essential oil. I didn’t do it this time because i was unsure of the amount. Now I know!

  • http://www.facebook.com/jeff.lavey.9 Jeff Lavey

    sounds great I will have 2 try it. I have an HE front load washer. Any problems with using it with mine?

    • http://mrshappyhomemaker.com/ Mrs Happy Homemaker

      It works great with an HE washer!

  • Mike

    I made a batch of this exact thing last night. Set overnite perfectly. Question ; this can be used safely in a HE washer just as is without dilution ? I’ve stirred the heck out of it but am left with what is a gel. Just being careful so looking forward to your response. Thanks !

    • http://www.facebook.com/cindie.morris2 Cindi Liz Liz Morris

      There is no problem using this detergent in HE washers, as there is virtually no sudsing. My husband is a mechanic and this soap takes the grease right out of his clothes!!! LOVE it

    • Shelleigh

      I use my stick blender (the kind to mix protein powder drinks with) and mix it up by dunking it into the glop, blend a minute or so then lift, move then dunk, blend… etc. It will mix it nice and smooth like store bought detergent, easier to pour in your containers. It will separate in your containers again, but give it a few really good shakes and it will be fine.

  • Karla

    Can you make this same batch… but instead of using one cup borax & one cup washing soda .. use two of each? & also .. I made some liquid detergent & it got a crust like thing at the top and just liquid at the bottom… does that mean I didn’t do it right??

    • http://www.facebook.com/cindie.morris2 Cindi Liz Liz Morris

      I make mine using 1 1/2 c. of both borax and soda with a bar of fels naptha… the extra helps it gel nicely, i’ve noticed

    • http://www.facebook.com/MelissaVance1979 Melissa Vance

      no you did it right!! just mix it up and it will be great!! u can add more or less of each product depending on ur water conditions, and dirtyness i use 2 cups!! pls i add oxy clean to the water!!

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  • Sandi

    Thanks for the laundry soap recipe, it worked great! Do you have a recipe for Homemade Fabric Softener?

    • http://MrsHappyHomemaker.com/ Crystal

      Your quite welcome – so glad you like it!! I am working on a homemade fabric softener recipe – so check back! :)

    • http://www.facebook.com/cindie.morris2 Cindi Liz Liz Morris

      For fabric softener, use 1 c. white vinegar, 2 c. cheap hair conditioner (white rain or suave in your favorite scent) and 3 c. hot water… shake it up and use 1/ 4 c. or so per load, depending on your preference… works GREAT and so cheap!

    • Linda

      Homemade Fabric Softner

      6 cups HOT
      water

      3 cups white vinegar

      2 cups Suave
      Refreshing Waterfall Conditioner (or any other of your favorite scent)

      Mix conditioner & hot water well, until conditioner is
      dissolved completely.
      Add the vinegar, and mix well.

      Store in a large container (empty fabric softener container, empty
      large vinegar bottle, etc)

      Pour into a
      downy ball or use approx. 2 tbsp. in the fabric softener spot in your laundry
      machine, then wash!

    • Linda

      Homemade Fabric Softener Sheets

      Use the fabric softener recipe above & get some washcloths (you can buy new cheap ones for this or use some old recycled ones that are not in use in the house anymore)

      Pour fabric softener in a bowl & soak the wash cloth, you can either use it damp to throw in the dryer with the wet clothes or you can hang dry a few wash clothes at a time & put them in the dryer with your load of clothes. Each sheet will last about 6 loads before you need to redo them.

  • Auntie Eunice

    Mine separated, as well. A very thick layer of yellow gel on top and all liquid underneath. I made 3 gallons; 2 Fels Naptha, 2c. washing soda, 2c. borax.

    • http://MrsHappyHomemaker.com/ Crystal

      I think you may have misread the recipe. This makes 5 gallons & calls for 1 Fels Naptha, 1 cup of of both washing soda & borax. You made 3 gallons and used twice as many ingredients. I hope you will try it again soon!! :) )

      • http://www.facebook.com/melissa.dalessandro Melissa Rector Dalessandro

        i use the same recipe as Crystal and dilute it to make 10 gals and have an HE washer and my clothes are clean.I have been using it about a year. Love it.

  • sammy

    How much tide do you put in for a 5 gal batch?

  • Henks

    I am concerned that adding the essential oil would put oil spots on my clothes. I realize that it is a small amount that is added, but I hate trying to get oil out of clothes. Any problems with this?

    • http://MrsHappyHomemaker.com/ Crystal

      The essential oil in the laundry detergent is only for scent, and it’s not needed for the cleaning ability. I have personally never had a problem with any spots on my clothes, but you certainly don’t have to had it if you want it. It is an optional ingredient.

  • Countryblueeyes

    Hi I have a family with sensitive skin, any problems? Also my washer is a top load HE, how much do I add?

    • http://MrsHappyHomemaker.com/ Crystal

      My son and myself both have eczema, and we’ve had no issues with it. And, about 1/2 cup :)

    • DClarke1

      I have been making my own laundry soap for about a year now.Very similar to this recipe except I use two bars of ivory soap. My son use to complain his skin was always itchy with store bought detergent.It didn’t seem to matter what type,he complained.Since I’ve been making this,no complaining. I love it! I also make my own softener. 1/2 cup baking soda mixed with 1 cup water.(in a big bowl) Slowly add in 6 cups vinegar. Then whisk in 5 more cups of water. I add 20 drops of essential oil. Usually rose,but you can use orange or lavender.What ever you prefer.I reuse my old softener bottles.I have an HE washer and these recipes work great. Hope this was helpful.

  • http://www.facebook.com/caroljfleming Carol Fleming

    I make my detergent as a powder and it’s a tad bit easier. Shaved bar of soap, 1 c. of borax/1c. of washing soda – makes a powder solution and you only need to use 1 tbsp per load so it last for awhile. You can double the amount if you want to make a larger batch. Super easy and works great!

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  • Tracy

    Ive been trying to make this. It doesnt gel right. The top solidifies into a gel and the bottom is liquid. No matter how much or long i heat it or stir it, it will separate and the gel is so hard i cant use it. How do i make it right?

    • Shelleigh

      I use my stick blender (the kind to mix protein powder drinks with) and mix it up by dunking it into the glop, then lift, move then dunk… etc. It will mix it nice and smooth like store bought detergent, easier to pour in your containers. It will separate in your containers again, but give it a few really good shakes and it will be fine.

  • http://www.facebook.com/silverroancircle.admin Jessica Brown

    ABOUT ESSENTIAL OILS:

    The basic test to check the purity of an essential oil is to put one drop on a piece of white paper, and let it sit over night. If, in the morning, there is any oily residue left on the paper, the “essential oil” was either a) cut with a base oil, or b) is not an essential oil (fragrance oil).

    THEREFORE, if you use pure essential oils, rest assures, they will leave no oils residue on your clothes. Rest assured =)

  • Tara R.

    Do you ever make a recipe that adds in OxyClean or sodium percarbonate to get your clothes extra white or would you add this in after the detergent? I really like the option of a liquid one and will be going tonight to pick up the supplies! Thank you

    • http://MrsHappyHomemaker.com/ Crystal

      I’ve not added the OxyClean to it, but I’ve used it along with the detergent in single loads. However, I do have a new & improved liquid laundry detergent coming this week with the power of Tide… so check back!! :)

      • Tara R.

        Thanks! I found a natural alternative recipe using lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide, and water. I’m getting ready to start making my first batch of this! Excited!

  • Bonnie

    I made mine last night and today it looks more watery than gloopy. It smells amazing, but watery. Can I use it or do I start over?

    • http://MrsHappyHomemaker.com/ Crystal

      It should be the consistency of egg noodle soup… so watery with gel glops in it. No need to start over, go right ahead and use it! :)

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  • Tara R.

    Hi! I followed your recipe to a “t” and did not have any scent smell when I dried my clothes. I did have a question for you. The clothes seemed clean until I did a “double check” on my husband’s workout tees and found some “smell” lingering. Any suggestions?? I was hoping to not have to add in any extra cleaners unless they were also natural. Please help!!

    • http://MrsHappyHomemaker.com/ Crystal

      You could increase the borax & washing soda in the recipe by about a half a cup to make a stronger detergent.

    • http://www.facebook.com/janet.olson.7311 Janet Olson

      Try using vinegar in the fabric softener despenser (for a front load) That not only helps soften the cloths, but it also helps elminate odor

  • ashley

    has anyone used a 5 gallon bucket with a spout on the bottom? does it clog? looking for a less messy way to use it

    • http://www.facebook.com/MelissaVance1979 Melissa Vance

      i would not cause u need to shake or stir it before dispening but u could put in smaller containers

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  • Christina

    Does this laundry soap go bad? I have a family of 4 and a 5 gal bucket will last us quiet a long time.

  • missfabulous18

    I have used a similar homemade detergent before in a powder form and noticed after awhile my clothes were totally faded. Anyone have this happen with this formula?

  • omgidk

    I like to use the blender to mix all (decided upon) ingredients… it gives it an initial “foam” & seems to help….. (afterwards- divide into separate recycled laundry soap containers )…. worx like a charm for me:)))

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  • Chelseaf

    I was wondering if this was a good detergent for cloth diapers?

  • In Flight

    O M G! You guys are so awesome! I was using Borax with baking soda(not washing soda) in my wash with store bought detergent, when I could have been making my own detergent all along!! And I buy the essential oils for skin care and whatever else so these recipes are perfect! In fact, I was going to buy a gallon of this wholesale, prefab, generic detergent this weekend for $35, but now that I know I can make my own with the stuff I already use I am so excited! Plus it will be a great project for me and the kids. My kid also had issues with detergents on her clothing. Sometimes I had to double rinse, but then I started to wash their clothes with baking soda, borax and use shout for stains. No problems. But if I can make gallons of this stuff it would save me a lot more money. Thanks.

  • Angela

    Can you use the liquid form of castile soap since that is what i have on hand?

    • Terra

      YES YES YES! For me it works much better than having to dissolve flakes of soap! I use 1c baking soda wash, 3/4c borax, 8oz of Dr. Bronners castile soap (liquid) and about 18c water. Heat on stove top. Remember to dissolve the dry ingredients first in the hot water as doing so after adding the castile soap makes too many bubbles.

      • Angela

        thanks!

  • http://www.facebook.com/MelissaVance1979 Melissa Vance

    i have done this many times now and we dont buy store bought soap!! i have starting using the scented laundry beads in it. I add them to the boiling soap, only need like a oz. Also i use a small grater its handheld (like a bigger microplane) and it shreds it very fine so i only takes time for the water to boil ti dissolve it. Also after it sits overnite i blend it up with my hand to break up the goo stuff. Just wonder if anyone has tried using an immersion blender to break up even more??