Homemade Laundry Detergent is an amazing way to save significant money in your weekly budget! Given that, this post will walk you step by step through the three most popular recipes, along with comparing the pros and cons of each. However, learning how to make your own laundry detergent is really quite simple and can you believe it only costs a few pennies per load?
What I Love About Homemade Laundry Detergent
With six kids, money is always tight so I have to find creative ways to make the budget stretch where it can. Homemade laundry detergent is one I’ve been using for over 10 years. Surprisingly, my older children are completely embarrassed that I am posting these recipes. Apparently, the fact that I only pay pennies per load of laundry is completely “not cool.” I beg to differ completely! As you can understand, a family of 8 makes A LOT of dirty laundry. (Especially when one of those people is a 15 year old girl who tries on at least 10 different outfits a day and throws what doesn’t make the cut into the dirty clothes hamper….)
I am the first to admit, I would obsess over some original scented Tide. I love the way it smells. What I don’t love is the price I pay, especially for the high efficiency safe stuff. So a while ago, I began making my own homemade laundry soap. The first recipe I tried cost me $2.30 to make 10 gallons!!
And I know what you are going to ask before you ask it. Yes, each one of these DIY laundry detergents are safe for HE machines because they are low-sudsing. That quality is the only “secret” to HE detergent. I have a HE machine myself and love my results with each recipe
How to Make DIY Laundry Detergent
Once you have some basic ingredients, learning how to make laundry detergent is quite easy. It’s all about ratios and if you prefer powdered or liquid laundry soap.
- Choose between liquid or powder detergent – this comes down to personal preference more than anything else. Both types of laundry soap work well in all types of washers.
- Grate a bar of laundry soap – the most common choice is Fels Naptha soap, but Castile soap is also a great choice, especially if you have sensitive skin. The bar should be 5 ounces. For the 5 gallon recipe, you will melt the soap after grating it.
- Add washing soda powder – this is not the same as baking soda so do not make that mistake. Washing soda is a natural, non-toxic cleaner and softener.
- Add Borax powder – this laundry booster is really effective at helping the detergent work better. Because Borax adjusts the pH level of the water, it allows the detergent to clean better.
- Add essential oils, if using – while this step isn’t necessary, some like the addition of scent to their homemade laundry detergent. They even make an oil that smells just like Tide!
The 3 Best Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipes
I have used each of these three recipes throughout the years. Included below are both the instructions on how to make your own laundry detergent, plus the pros and cons of each variety. If you’ve never made your own laundry soap, pick the recipe that seems do-able to you. As you’ll see, the ingredients are almost identical so you can’t go wrong.
Easy Homemade Laundry Liquid Detergent
If you prefer liquid laundry detergent over powder, this is an easy recipe that is the one I use the most. Not because it works any better than the others. Just a personal preference, probably because there’s no bar of laundry soap to grate 🙂
- ¾ cup Borax
- ¾ cup washing soda
- ½ cup Dawn original dishwashing liquid
- 16 cups very hot water
- Essential oil (optional)
Easy Homemade Laundry Powder
This homemade laundry detergent recipe is definitely the easiest of the three to make because it is all dry ingredients that are mixed together. Then, store it in an airtight container to keep the humidity from making it clumpy and you are good to go!
- 2 cups washing soda
- 2 cups baking soda
- 2 cups Borax
- 1 bar Fels Naptha or Castile soap, grated finely
- Essential oil (optional)
5 Gallon Homemade Laundry Soap
While this DIY laundry detergent is the most involved recipe and you need a bucket, it makes the most laundry soap…and is the best price per load! Even though it “makes” 5 gallons of detergent, when you use it, you mix it with equal parts of water…so you actually have TEN gallons of laundry soap from this recipe!
- 4 cups + 4 ½ gallons hot water
- 1 bar Fels Naptha, grated
- 1 cup washing soda
- ½ cup Borax
- Essential oil (optional)
Please, don’t let this weird, coagulated gloop keep you from giving this stuff a try. It may look weird and have a consistency you have never before witnessed, but it works like a charm and will save you a boatload of money. I really like the scent it has naturally but feel free to add your favorite essential oils to customize it!
DIY Laundry Soap FAQ’s
Is homemade laundry detergent safe for washers?
Yes, despite the rumors or “experts” you see online, each of these three recipes is completely safe. Like any other laundry detergent, what causes damage to your washing machine is when too much soap is used.
Many people wrongly assume that more soap will result in cleaner clothes. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Hence, if you want clean clothes that don’t get detergent build-up on them or in the washing machine, just remember less is more!
How much money can you save making your own laundry soap?
If your main reason for trying out DIY laundry detergent is to save money, you have hit the jackpot my friend! Based on current Walmart prices, here is a price comparison chart for the three different types of homemade laundry detergent, as well as store-bought brands. If these numbers don’t convince you, I’m not sure what will!
| Recipe | Total Cost | Recipe Makes | HE Amount per load | HE Cost per Load | Standard Amount per Load | Standard Cost per Load |
| Easy Powder | $4.90 | 7 cups | 1 Tb | $0.044 | 2 Tb | $0.088 |
| Easy Liquid | $2.13 | 18 cups | 2 Tb | $0.015 | ¼ cup | $0.030 |
| 5 Gallon Liquid | $2.30 | 10 gal | ¼ cup | $0.004 | ½ cup | $0.008 |
Is homemade detergent effective at cleaning?
Homemade laundry detergent is extremely effective at cleaning clothes. As long as you use an appropriate amount of laundry soap in every load, it works perfectly. And, for the two liquid recipes included in this recipe, you can use each one as a spot treatment as well. Just rub a few drop of the detergent into the fresh stain and let it set for a few hours before washing.
Is homemade detergent safe for HE washers?
As long as the proper amount of homemade laundry detergent is used for your type of washer, yes they are safe! Carefully read the washing instructions for the recipe you choose and follow closely the HE measurements. Because the key to high-efficiency washing machines is that the soap is low-sudsing. The use of washing soda in all three recipes is the secret to these recipes succeeding in HE washers.
Looking for More Great DIY Cleaning Recipes?
3 Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipes
The 3 best homemade laundry detergent recipes that are only a few pennies per load!
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 7 cups – 10 gallons 1x
Ingredients
5 Gallon Laundry Soap
- 4 cups hot water
- 1 bar Fels-Naptha soap, grated
- 1 cup Washing Soda
- 1/2 cup Borax
- essential oil (optional)
Easy Laundry Powder
- 2 cups washing soda
- 2 cups baking soda
- 2 cups Borax
- 1 bar Fels Naptha or Castile soap, finely grated
Easy Liquid Laundry Soap
- 3/4 cup Borax
- 3/4 cup washing soda
- 1/2 cup original Dawn dishwashing soap
Instructions
5 Gallon Laundry Soap Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, melt together the grated soap and water until the soap is completely dissolved.
- Fill a 5-gallon bucket 1/2 full of hot water. Add the washing soda, Borax, and melted soap mixture. Stir well until dissolved (I use a yardstick).
- Fill the bucket to the top with more hot water and stir well. Cover and let sit overnight. The finished mixture will resemble a loose, liquid form of Jello. At this point, you can add 50 drops of the essential oil of your liking to the soap.
- Fill your soap dispenser (I use my old Tide container) 1/2 with water and half with soap. Shake well before each use. For front load washers, use 1/4 C per load. For top load washers, use 1/2 per load.
Easy Laundry Powder Instructions
- Mix together all the ingredients in a large bowl. If you want a finer consistency, you can run the finished powder through a food processor. Store in an airtight container.
- For HE machines, use 1 tablespoon per load. For standard washers, use 2 tablespoons.
Easy Liquid Laundry Soap Instructions
- In a 1-gallon bottle, add half the hot water, then the Borax, washing soda, and Dawn. Gently agitate the mixture to combine. Add the remaining hot water. The end result will be quite thin.
- To use, shake the bottle well before measuring out 1/4 cup for HE machines, or 1/2 cup for standard washers.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Cleaning
Keywords: homemade laundry detergent
Dburseth says
Ijusts made this and it seems the thick goop is at the bottom, do I stir it or just leave it a lot before I put it into my laundry container?
Carole says
If you read the directions, you will see that you need to thoroughly mix once again after it sits overnight. This will be sure the ingredients are well mixed before you add the additional water when using.
Dburseth says
Thank you! I read the directions a couple times and after it says sit over night it doesn’t say mix again. So I wasn’t sure :), but I actually stuck my arm in it and although the bottom had a lot of the goop the entire bucket was definitely the consistency you had said it would. I did half the detergent and half water into a empty tide container and used it, it seems very watery. Is that normal or should it have a thick consistency?
Carole says
The end result will be quite thin so no worries!!
melb says
I made this yesterday and today it is all liquid, no gel or goop to be found. I stirred it up again very well and will check again tomorrow. I hate when I follow the recipe exactly and get odd results. Lol
Anonymous says
I dont guess it hurts you to smell the fels naptha soap as it heats up? Nothing harsh?
laura says
Is this cloth diaper safe?
Carole says
Yep!
Ren says
Hi there! I was wondering if Sunlight pure bar soap can be used in place of the Fels Naptha…?
Anonymous says
LOVE your recipes! While crusing your site I came across your recipe for “Homemade Laundry Detergent” and felt compelled to post my comment. As the wife of an Appliance Repair man, I need to let you know that the repairs for machines using this type of recipe for soap has increased 10x since the recipe went viral. Here’s the problem…Fels Naptha AND Zote have a base of Tarrow, which is derived from Animal fat/hooves. It is gelatin based and this apparently creates HAVOC with your Washers, innards! This goopy stuff becomes caked on the pipes and tubes ect. The last repair he did for a “Homemade Laundry Soap” household ended up costing more than the Washer was worth, so the homeowner ended up having to replace the Washer. Please know that this doesn’t happen overnight,but the more you use, the quicker the build up. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to post this information. Appreciate it!
pammyg says
Carole: I just made this yesterday and was surprised at how much fragrance was in the Fels Naptha. I have chemical sensitivity to fragrances so I may or may not be able to use this (won’t go to waste though, I’ll give to my daughter). I was wondering if you were aware of any fragrance free soaps that may work. I know Dr Bronner’s makes a bar soap that may work and I buy some from Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods but all of these are for bathing. What do you think?
Thanks!
Carole says
Pammy-I think another fragrance free laundry bar soap would work well. I know people have substituted other laundry bar soaps. Let me know how it works!
Stephani says
How do you grate the bar? I have a really hard time grating it, it sticks to everything!
Carole says
Stephani – I just use a box grater like for grating cheese. It certainly takes some muscle and time since the fels naptha is hard.
Anonymous says
Does the grater and the pot used for melting the soap leave a residual? Or, can you just wash and continue to use for food prep?
Carole says
Great question! The Fels Naptha was right off so no special ones required. I rinse them off well and then just stick them in the dishwasher.
Anonymous says
ON NUMBER 4. IS THIS THE SOAP DISPENSER ON YOUR WASHING MACHINE ?
Carole says
Not the dispenser in your machine. Good question! Just some container that you can mix half soap and half water, mix well and dispense into your machine. I use old Tide bottles that I fill up half with water, half with soap.
Emma says
Hi there
I made this up last night, left the bucket covered to sit overnight. Today I have a bucket with a very firm 1inch cake ontop and very watery conditions below. No goopy gloop at all.
I used a handmade bar of soap that had been given to me a few years ago. It’s ingredients were very basic and it was labelled soap.
Has this happened to anyone?
Am thinking I may need to whizz the firm cake in the food processor just to break it up again.
Or maybe even start again with new ingredients?
Carole says
Emma- I think your problem is due to the homemade soap instead of Fels Naptha. I would try again sticking with the instructions. Good luck!
Lee Shin says
spot on with this write-up, i like the way you discuss the things. i’m impressed, i must say. i’ll probably be back again to read more. thanks for sharing this with us.
Lee Shin
http://www.trendone.net
Cindy says
Hi! I was wondering if it is possible to use the concentrated formula instead of diluting it the second time in the smaller container and just using half as much in the washing machine? I have a top loader and was thinking I could just make sure it got diluted in the machine a bit before I put the laundry in the machine. What do you think?
Carole says
Cindy- my main concern with that is the thickness of the concentrated detergent. I don’t think that gelatinous mixture would be good for your machine unless it was first thinned. Just my thoughts.
Rachel says
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rachel says
I don’t use water when I make this detergent – one cup of each, mix it together, stick it in a zip lock bag. I use one T for each load in my front loader HE washer. Works great. MUCH easier than all that boiling and water and NO five gallon bucket!!
carrisa says
Could I cut recipe in half?
Auntie Stina says
I’ve been making this recipe for years, though not from your site. The other site just said to use whatever bar of soap. (Ivory or the Costco brand is super cheap)
Either way, this stuff is the bomb! The last batch I made, I added baking soda. Still works awesome!~
I’ve tried adding essential oils to it for scent, but it never held up to the rinse cycle.
I’m going to have to try your recipe for the fabric softener!
Cecelia Shofner Buie says
for those who cannot find Fels Naptha……castile soap is a good substitute. Most stores, drug stores, and even places like Cracker Barrel will carry Castile soap. Use the Kirk’s Castile bar soap not the liquid.
Anonymous says
Anyone have trouble with the soap starting to eat through the bucket? My bucket is leaking.
Jace says
Thank you for your article. It was kind of you to share what’s on your mind. I appreciate you for spending some time to publish this.
jace
http://www.joeydavila.net
Tara says
I have a question about the laundry detergent: My husband has sensitive skin, so we use the Tide free and clear; do you know how people with sensitivities react to this?
Linda says
Carole, I have been making this detergent for about a year now. I always dissolve my washing soda and borax in the water while I’m melting my fels naptha. I really like the soap, but if I shouldn’t do this please let me know.
Carole says
Linda- if it works for you, then I wouldn’t change :). Carole
Jessica says
You can now order all the ingredients need on Amazon in one set!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007CNKM42/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?qid=1449087320&sr=8-6&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70&keywords=fels+naptha+soap&dpPl=1&dpID=51pOu1MOFJL&ref=plSrch
Thanks Jessica!
Jennifer says
Where is the recipe for Shout? Id like to try it also.
Hey Jennifer! Here you go https://www.mykitchenescapades.com/homemade-laundry-detergent/
Jennifer says
This may seem like a dumb question but here it goes anyway.
The recipe says it yields 10 gallons but I only read where you need only one 5 gallon bucket? Am I missing something?
Hey Jennifer! It isn’t a dumb question at all. So the recipe creates a concentrated 5 gallon bucket of detergent, then if you read the directions, you see that you mix at a 1:1 ratio the concentrate with water, which will yield 10 gallons.
Rosie says
I have used this recipe for years and always been very happy with it. When I first made it the directions said that it wasn’t for use in cold water. These days so many of our clothes call for washing in cold water. Can I adjust the recipe for cold water washing.
Hi Rosie! So happy to hear you love it as much as we do! You can use it in cold wash just like you do in warm or hot.
Kathy says
Live in Lacombe, Alberta and don’t shop online. I can’t find the Fels-naptha bar soap.
Hi Kathy! The easiest option is to shop online but if you aren’t comfortable with that, you can talk to your local store manager and see if they are willing to order some for you. Good luck. It really is amazing stuff!
Ever says
Use only 1-2 Tablespoons. I m the kinda girl who thinks if a little bit is good, then a lot must be great. Don t do it. This homemade laundry detergent doesn t contain all the fillers that store-bought detergent has. You really only need 1-2 tablespoons. Using too much could create a film.
Devaney Dawn O'Brien says
I have all the ingredients so I’m going to give it a try! Your recipe said (for front-loading machines) to use 1/4 c to 1/3 c per load but in your comments, people have said to use only 1-2 Tablespoons. Any thoughts on this?
All I know is my own experience with the recipe. I think those who didn’t add water to the concentrated detergent used 1-2 Tablespoons.
Jordan says
I’ve made this 4 times now it separates in my five gallon bucket after it cools down. Any idea why it would do that? Does this happen to anyone else? I use a paint stirring attachment for my drill to stir it.
Mine doesn’t separate, but some of the liquid does come to the top after it sets. I use a 5 gallon paint stick in mine to mix it up just a bit.
Quincy says
Thank you! This was so helpful with the price of detergent right now
kate says
i would not recommend using Dawn dish soap, it’s very toxic, and is loaded with synthetic fragrance. nor would i
use fels naptha. that one is bad, as well. you can just use a clean liquid dish soap, like Bio Clean, or 7th Generation….or you can merely mix the powders together, and just use that as your laundry powder. simple….