Homemade Laundry Detergent

This easy homemade laundry detergent is not only cost-effective but also works as well as store-bought options, without the unnecessary chemicals or fragrances. You can make a generous 10 litres (2.64 gallons) in under 20 minutes. I bet once you try it, you’ll wonder why you didn’t start making it sooner!

If you’ve never made your own laundry detergent before, this recipe is a great place to start. It only requires four simple ingredients, comes together quickly, and will leave your clothes fresh and clean.

Did you know you can also make homemade hand soap, window cleaner, all-purpose cleaner, and shower scrub for a fraction of the price? I love making my own cleaners because they are natural and cheaper!

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Why Make Your Laundry Detergent?

Many store-bought detergents often include artificial fragrances, dyes, and chemicals that can be tough on sensitive skin. This homemade version is a fantastic alternative for anyone preferring a more natural way to tackle laundry. Plus, it’s an excellent way to save money at home! While commercial detergents can add up, this DIY option costs only a tiny fraction for each load.

Another wonderful benefit is sustainability! By making your own detergent, you can help reduce plastic waste and cut down on the synthetic ingredients that enter our water systems. It’s a small change, but it can lead to a much more eco-friendly lifestyle!

If you need a quicker alternative to this liquid laundry detergent, try my homemade laundry powder detergent instead.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Water – the base for the laundry detergent.
• Soap flakes or a pure soap bar – the cleaning agent, such as Sunlight soap, Castile soap, or Fels-Naptha. If you want to speed up the process, purchase soap flakes instead of a bar of soap.
• Washing soda – helps break down dirt and grease.
• Borax – a natural laundry booster that enhances stain removal. If you prefer a more natural option, the borax can be omitted, though it does help with extra freshness and cleaning power.

Borax

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Washing Soda

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Pure Soap Flakes

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Homemade Laundry Detergent Cost Breakdown

Ingredient Costs (Full Packages)

• Borax (1kg/2.2lb) – $9.99
• Washing crystals (1kg/2.2lb) – $6.00
• Soap flakes (700g/24.7oz) – $9.00

Ingredients Used

• ½ cup borax (120g/4.2oz) = 12% of 1kg
  $9.99 × 0.12 = $1.20
• ½ cup washing crystals (120g/4.2oz) = 12% of 1kg
  $6.00 × 0.12 = $0.72
• 1 cup soap flakes (90g/3.2oz) = 13% of 700g
  $9.00 × 0.13 = $1.17

Total Cost for 10L (2.64 gallon) Batch

$1.20 + $0.72 + $1.17 = $3.09

This recipe made 10 litres (2.64 gallons) of liquid detergent, and I only use ¼ cup per load, which gives me approximately 169 loads in total.

Number of Loads

• 10 litres (2.64 gallons) = 42.3 cups
• Using ¼ cup per load = 169 loads

Cost Per Load

$3.09 ÷ 169 = $0.0183 per load. That’s less than 2 cents per load!!

Commercial laundry detergents typically cost between $0.30 and $0.50 per load. That means with this homemade version, you’re saving at least 90% per load without sacrificing cleanliness or effectiveness.

It’s simple, it’s frugal, and it works—making this one of my favourite DIY homemaking swaps so far.

How To Make Liquid Laundry Detergent

Step 1: Using a cheese grater, grate the soap into fine shavings. A food processor can also be used to speed up this step. Tip: Purchase soap flakes to skip this step!

Step 2: In a large pot, add the grated soap or soap flakes, borax and washing crystal along with 1.5L of water.

Step 3: On medium-low heat, stir until the soap is completely dissolved. The mixture will start to thicken slightly as it combines. Turn off the heat.

Step 4: Pour into a large bucket. Add the remaining water and stir well to combine. The more you stir it as it cools, the better it will be mixed together. (See my tips below.)

Tip: Use an immersion blender to help mix the detergent together better. I find this gives the laundry liquid a better-finished texture, helping incorporate the water and soap. I simply hold my immersion blender at the top of the bucket and run it, which pulls the liquid through the blades. This takes a few minutes, but it’s worth it!

Step 5: Transfer the amount you want to use into a container, such as an old detergent bottle or a mason jar with a lid. The detergent may thicken over time, which is normal. Simply shake before each use.

How To Use Homemade Laundry Detergent

• Use 1/4 cup of detergent per load. For larger or heavily soiled loads, use 1/2 cup.
• This detergent is suitable for both top-loading and front-loading washing machines.
• Because it is a natural detergent, shaking before each use is recommended, as ingredients may separate over time.
• If you prefer a light scent, a few drops of essential oils such as lavender, tea tree, or lemon can be added to the detergent for a natural fragrance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this work in high-efficiency (HE) washers?
Yes, this detergent is low-sudsing, making it safe for HE machines.

Can I use a different soap?
Yes, Castile soap, Sunlight soap, or Fels-Naptha all work well. Any mild bar soap designed for cleaning can be used, or pure soap flakes.

How long does this detergent last?
When stored in a cool, dry place, it can last up to six months.

Does this detergent work well for sensitive skin?
Yes, this detergent is free from artificial fragrances and dyes, making it a great option for those with sensitive skin.

Conclusion

Making homemade laundry detergent is a simple and rewarding way to take control of the ingredients used in your home. It’s budget-friendly, eco-conscious, and just as effective as store-bought detergents. Once you try making your own, you may find it hard to go back to commercial brands.

Yield: 10 litres (2.64 gallons)

Homemade Laundry Detergent

Print

This easy homemade laundry detergent is not only cost-effective but also works as well as store-bought options, without the unnecessary chemicals or fragrances.

Prep Time 4 minutes

Active Time 15 minutes

Total Time 19 minutes

Difficulty Beginner

Estimated Cost $3.09

Materials

• ½ cup borax
• ½ cup washing crystals
• 1 cup soap flakes
• 10 litres water (2.64 gallons)

Tools

• 10 litre bucket (2.64 gallons)
• Stock pot
• Mixing spoon
• Measuring cups
• Immersion blender (optional)

Instructions

1. Using a cheese grater, grate the soap into fine shavings. A food processor can also be used to speed up this step. Tip: Purchase soap flakes to skip this step!
2. In a large pot, add the grated soap or soap flakes, borax and washing crystal along with 1.5L water.
3. On medium-low heat, stir until soap is completely dissolved. The mixture will start to thicken slightly as it combines. Turn off the heat.
4. Pour into a large bucket. Add the remaining water and stir well to combine. The more you stir it as it cools, the better it will be mixed together. Tip: Use an immersion blender to help mix the detergent together better. I find this gives the laundry liquid a better-finished texture, helping incorporate the water and soap. I just hold my immersion blender at the top of the bucket and run it so the liquid gets pulled through the blades. This takes a few minutes, but it's worth it!
5. Transfer the amount you want to use into a container, such as an old detergent bottle or a mason jar with a lid. The detergent may thicken over time, which is normal. Simply shake before each use.

Notes

• Use 1/4 cup of detergent per load. For larger or heavily soiled loads, use 1/2 cup.

• This detergent is suitable for both top-loading and front-loading washing machines.
• Because it is a natural detergent, shaking before each use is recommended, as ingredients may separate over time.
• If you prefer a light scent, a few drops of essential oils such as lavender, tea tree, or lemon can be added to the detergent for a natural fragrance.

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