After testing many different recipes for homemade laundry soap I can confidently say this one is the best. Join thousands of others who are saving money with this awesome liquid laundry detergent recipe.
DIY Laundry Soap Recipe
If you are sick of spending tons of money on laundry detergents that do a sub-optimal job, we have the solution for you.
Not only is this recipe easy to make and cost effective, but it works better than any store bought brand we’ve tried.
We have used this recipe for ten years, and hundreds of others have as well. Read on for detailed instructions as well as a video tutorial that shows you just how simple this detergent is to make.
Why I Choose Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent
I had almost given up on homemade laundry detergent completely, when my good friend Keesha texted me and said she had a recipe and wanted to make it together! I had my doubts, but she told me her mom and her sister had both been using this kind forever and swore by it, so I decided I would give it a go. Holy cow. I am in love with this homemade liquid laundry detergent, it is AMAZING!
Every time I open up the washer to switch loads, I am filled with joy because it smells fresh and clean. It also doesn't leave gross residue, and gets out tough dirt and stains. Suffice it to say, this recipe is gonna shrink your laundry expenses considerably!
*This post contains affiliate links.
Homemade Laundry Detergent Ingredients
- Fels-Naptha soap bar
- Washing soda
- Borax
- Essential oils (optional)
- Water
How to Make Homemade Laundry Detergent
1.Start by grating your Fels-Naptha soap bar. Here is what the Fels-naptha soap looked like after grating it. You want to use the smallest grater that you have, so that it melts as quickly and easily as possible!
2. While you are grating your soap start four cups of water boiling.
3.Add your grated Fels-Naptha bar and stir over medium heat until soap is completely melted.
4. Next, fill your five gallon bucket up halfway with hot tap water.
5. Then add your other dry ingredients and stir together.
6. Finally, fill your bucket the rest of the way with hot water and stir again.
Homemade Detergent Recipe Label & Storage
Be sure to clearly label your containers so that everyone knows they contain a detergent. Also, if you have young children be sure to keep your laundry detergent in a childproof container or on a high shelf. Here is the gallon jar I used, and here is a good five gallon bucket! I also love this gamma seal lid!
How much DIY Laundry Detergent does this recipe make?
This recipe makes a 5 gallon tub of liquid detergent. You only need ½ cup detergent for top loader machines and ¼ for front loader machines per load! It's easy to see how utilizing homemade laundry detergent can add up to a big savings!
It costs less than $10 to make 5 gallons of this laundry soap (not including the cost of the bucket). Which equals out to 160 ½ cup loads or 320 ¼ cup loads. Either way, there is a massive savings when comparing to store bought laundry detergents, even when they are purchased in bulk quantities.
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Liquid Laundry Detergent Recipe
Video
Equipment
- 5 gallon bucket
Materials
- 4 cups boiling water
- 1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
- 1 cup washing soda
- ½ cup Borax
- essential oils (optional)
- 5 gallon bucket
Instructions
- Heat 4 cups of water until boiling.
- Grate your Fels-Naptha soap bar (I just used a cheese grater) and add to boiling water. Stir continuously over medium low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
- Fill your 5 gallon bucket half full with HOT tap water, add melted soap, washing soda, and borax and stir well until all powder is dissolved.
- Fill the bucket the rest of the way to the top with hot water, stir, cover, and let sit overnight to thicken.
- The next day, stir well and fill an old laundry detergent container with detergent.If desired, add your essential oils at this point! I use Doterra citrus bliss.
Notes
- Shake well before each use, because detergent can separate a bit.
- Top load machines use ½ cup per load, front load machines use ¼ cup per load.
- Here is the gallon jar I used, and here is a good five gallon bucket!
It's SO easy and SO worth it you guys! I can guarantee you're gonna be glad you tried this DIY liquid laundry detergent!
xo,
*This post was originally written September 1, 2014 and has been updated with new photos, video and more detailed text.
Gail Abner
Please check the EWG (Environmental Working Group) website before using any chemicals. I would not use Fels-Naptha or Borax because of the health risks. EWG gives Borax two Fs for being toxic.
Frankie
https://wellnessmama.com/26407/borax-safe/
Nancy DeMarco
Have used this for a year and a half. In that time the total cost for my laundry has been less than $20 for the soap and the washer is used several (and I emphasize several) times a week! Clothes smell wonderful and the come out clean and no dingy fabric's over time.
Jessica @ Pretty Providence
WOOOO HOOOOO! Isn't it the best?! I am so so glad to hear that! Thank you so much for coming back to let us know!
nanax8
I have used homemade laundry detergent for about a year & am very pleased! But recently I read that Borax was toxic! My question is...Can you substitute something for Borax & it still be efficient?
Jessica @ Pretty Providence
I'm not sure I've never tried anything else before! I think it's in most detergent!
Jayne Achenbach McFarland
You could use baking soda wash it is sold in Walmart right next to the Borax. Baking soda is non-toxin
Jessica @ Pretty Providence
I buy them through Doterra because my bf sells them and it's easy, but if you type them in on Amazon tons will come up, or any local health food store (lots of regular grocery stores too)! I used probably 10-20 drops depending how I'm feeling! It's just for scent really so however much you like!
lkp
where do you buy essential oils and how much do you use
StoneHallows
We have a high efficiency washer, and I don't think it would even hold half a cup of liquid soap. How does the amount of this compare with the amount used of the store bought stuff? Is it a one to one ratio - would I just use the same amount of this stuff as I would the high efficiency store bought liquid?
Also, we typically use a color booster. Does this do that as well, would the booster still be needed? Or should they not be mixed?
Beth
It says to only use 1/4 cup for high efficiency washers :)
Rayline
Will this detergent be oaky for sensitive skin? My daughter has eczema. And is it septic safe? =)
Jessica @ Pretty Providence
We have eczema in our house too and I haven't noticed a worsening with this detergent! Ours is pretty bad though so in the winter we have to use heavy creams to keep it in control either way! And yes!
Rebecca
I love this recipe and have been using it for a while now, but mine always thickens too much... I end up adding globs not cups to my running wash. Any ideas?
Jessica @ Pretty Providence
Are you stirring it up really well to be sure it melts originally? If so, it should dissolve easily once the washer starts!
Rayline
Is this okay for sensitive skin? My daughter has eczema.
Jessica
My kids have super sensitive skin and they have been fine with it- but I would definitely watch her close after the first wash!
Kathleen D
What scents do you use in your detergent?
Jessica @ Pretty Providence
I typically use wild orange from doterra, because I love the smell and I have a bunch on hand, but you could use any essential oil you like the smell of.. Lavender, lemon, etc!
DENISE IN LAS VEGAS
I MADE IT and it is awesome. I have lots of supply left over so I can make more for at least a yr (just me and my hubby) I did not add oil cuz I like the fresh natural smell and didn't want to extra ingredients not needed....IF UR HAPPY HAPPY CLAP UR HANDS
Jessica @ Pretty Providence
Haha hooray!!!! You just totally made my morning!! I'm so glad you love it as much as I do! Thanks for the sweet comment :)
Vivian
How do we store it? Will keeping it in a hot garage damage it any, I live in Florida where it's always hot!?
Jessica @ Pretty Providence
I live in a place where it's always hot too! We just keep our bucket in our laundry room. Maybe try the floor of a closet or something? The garage may be fine but I've never tried it!
Jessica @ Pretty Providence
Mine has taken more than one day to thicken before.. No worries! You can start using it right away and you will notice it thickening over time! It's still effective now though!
Christy
So I made it but mine didn't thicken. Is there anything I can do? Can I add more borax?
Rust
I did it! It's now covered and in the getting-thick phase. Very pleased to eliminate that very expensive laundry detergent from my budget! Thank you !!
Jessica @ Pretty Providence
Yay!!! I'm so glad you did it! I hope you love it as much as we do!
Elaina
How much essential oil do I add? I've always thought oils would stain my clothes?
Jessica @ Pretty Providence
No they won't! I've used them for years! I would add 10-15 drops per gallon!
Jessica @ Pretty Providence
Ps I use doterra essential oils so those ones don't stain for sure!
Yvonne Prado
I know some laundry Detergents wear out your clothes or fade them does this do that?
Jessica @ Pretty Providence
Not at all! Best I've used!
Vanessa Marquiss Barker
I've always wanted to make my own but have never tried. I'm going to try this one. How much would you say it cost you?
Jessica @ Pretty Providence
It cost me probably $20 for the supplies (including bucket) but my friend and I both made 5 gallons each and I still have some supplies left over! I already had the essential oils on hand though! And this will last me way longer than a normal detergent would! Super cost effective.
AmandaRae
Essential oils - wont it react with the plastic of the gallon bucket?
Jessica
It's never been a problem for me!
Alyssa
What is the shelf life?
Jessica @ Pretty Providence
It lasts for years! You just might have to stir it up (or shake it) before use to reduce separation!
Hannah
I really want to try this! I just have one question. My washing machine is a front loader and the instructions say it requires high efficiency laundry detergent so that's what I've always used. Do you know if anyone has tried it in a machine that needs HE detergent and had success? Thanks!
Jessica @ Pretty Providence
Yes! You just need to use a little less is all! So your detergent will stretch farther, YAY!