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.
Gina
What size bar of soap do you use to make the 5 gallon bucket
Jessica
The Fels Naptha bar is 5 oz.
Cindy
Is the laundry detergent septic safe?
Jessica
I am honestly not sure, we don't have Septic so I am not familiar with exactly what is safe. I'm sorry, I wish I could be more help!
Deb
Never mind. I didn't scroll far enough. I found the amounts to use.
Deb
So there is no mention as to how much of each ingredient we're supposed to use. I believe that would be very helpful. Thank ypu.
Madison S
Hi. I’m looking to make this but wanted to know if it was safe to use in “high efficiency” machines.
Jessica
Yes, it is!
Doris
I did everything as instructed and after leaving it to set for 24 hours, and stiring, it did gel a little bit but looks egg drop soupish with chunks all through it. I noticed someone else said like cottage cheese. Is there a reason for this? Do we just use this or need to start over? Please advise. This looks like a really good idea and I would love it to work. Thanks for posting it and for your replies.
Jessica
Yes that is totally normal for it to be a little bit chunky, you can use as is, just shake it up before pouring into your machine, but don't worry that cottage cheese like texture is normal and it will work great!
Rhonda
I only wish to make 2 gallons. Do you have a different recipe with measurements for that. Just need for 2 people.
Jessica
If you go to the recipe card on the post just slide the toggle where it says "makes" down to two gallons and it will adjust the recipe for you!
BB
Good recipe. Cheaper and does a better job than store bought.
Paige Cutler
Love this stuff!
Jessica
So glad you like it!
Kim
This was a great recipe, thank you!
Jessica
You are so welcome!
Terry
It's great
Terry
Very good
Macey
Just made my first batch ever and I will never go back! It was so easy to make and will last forever! It's been just as good if not better than store bought, plus wayy cheaper. 10/10 reccomend
Debra
I have made this for years and love it
Tara Hartter
How long will this last?
We are not a large family. :-)
Jessica
At least a year!
Carrie D.
I am aware that this was published back in 2014. It is now 2023, so I dont know if anyone is answering questions. However I will ask and hope for a response. How do you transfer your finished detergent from a 5 gallon bucket to your smaller bottle container? Also where do you get your white 5 gallon bucket with lid from?
Jessica
I got my bucket from Walmart, and I just transfer it using a funnel and a measuring cup! Then I screw the lid back on the bucket and store it for when my smaller jug runs out! Hope that helps.
Tiffany
Does it have to be stored in a particular space or area? Does it need to be chilled? While the bucket of the first patch is stored, do I need to stir it occasionally? And for the patch in the gallon jug, do I need to stir before adding it to my wash every time I do laundry? I hope this makes sense.
Jessica
It does not need to be chilled but probably shouldn't be stored in a hot garage if you can help it. We keep ours in a closet at room temperature. No need to stir the gallon bucket periodically, but it will gel up so stir it before pouring it into your smaller container. From the smaller container yes, you will want to shake it or stir it before pouring each time.
Renee
Hi! You can get the buckets at lowes..home depot...tractor supply...amazon. I've been making this for years and I love it!!!!
Virginia
Have used this for years
Jessica
Just made my day! Thanks Virginia.
Brett
I've made this recipe and it works nicely. I've also added some variations from time to time.
I once used Zote soap but my wife did not care for its perfumey smell. I've used Ivory and it works but it does not dissolve as readily. There is also some castille soap on the shelf but I've not tried it yet.
Rather than using a knucklebuster (box grater) on the bar soap I put 4 cups of water into our hot pot and bring it to a boil. I cut the bars down to small pieces and put in our Ninja blender. Once the water boils I add it to the blender and chop up the soap. This method works quite well.
Jessica
Thanks for the insight Brett! We are glad you like it.
Debra
I made the recipe exactly how it says. It did not gel, any idea why?
Jessica
Sometimes it can take 24 hours to fully gel-- did yours not thicken even after the waiting period?
Sarah
I'm trying this recipe again but the first time I made it it looked like cottage cheese. It still worked for washing but it didn't gel even after waiting 24 hrs. What happened?
Cheryl Hillebrandt
I just made this recipe for the first time. I’m so tired of the high prices for laundry soap. Now to patiently wait my 24 hours so I can use it!
Crystal
Can I or has anyone substituted some of the water for white vinegar??
L
Hi Crystal,
Vinegar cancels the soap and makes it oily. If you want to use vinegar, it’s best to use it in the rinse cycle instead of the softener.
Melissa
Can i add citric acid to this recipe? Would it still maintain its gel like state?