How to make the best DIY homemade laundry detergent. This recipe is non-toxic, fights stains better than commercial detergent, and cheap! I’ve been making this liquid laundry detergent for years (originally shared in 2014!) because of its amazing cleaning power.
What Readers Say
“Perfect recipe! Just tested it today, and my laundry smells wonderful and cleans very well! Will use this recipe instead of constantly going to store just to buy a new bottle of detergent every time I run out of it.”
MELISSA
10 years ago, I started making the switch to natural cleaning products, including laundry detergent!
I’ll never forget the look on my family’s face when I proudly announced my new venture: homemade laundry soap. “You made what?“
At that time, the majority of recipes online called for a bar of fels naptha, washing soda, and Borax. The first time I made this original recipe, our clothes came out with chalky white spots.
The second time, I made a simple swap: liquid Dr. Bronner’s castile soap instead of the fels naptha soap bar. This time, the detergent worked just as good as Tide.
I set out to make a homemade liquid detergent that was effective at fighting stains and odors, and didn’t ruin our clothes. Success!
Why Make Your Own Homemade Laundry Detergent
Ingredients Needed
This recipe, made with simple ingredients, makes 1 gallon of homemade soap.
- 1 cup borax (freshens, deodorizes, and lifts dirt and stains)
- 1 cup washing soda (freshens and deodorizes)
- 1 cup liquid castile soap or Sal Suds (the main cleaning agent, lifts dirt and cleans)
- 50 drops essential oil (optional for a scent)
- 15 cups water (distilled water, found in any grocery store, is best as it doesn’t contain containments found in tap or filtered water)
Equipment Needed
- Large saucepan or Dutch oven (enough to hold 1 gallon of liquid, 15 cups)
- Storage Jars (such as 2 half gallon-size glass mason jars, 1 gallon-size jar, or reuse an old detergent bottle)
How to Make DIY Laundry Detergent
Thicker Detergent Tip: This recipe calls for 15 cups of water. If you’d like a thicker, more concentrated soap, use 10-12 cups of water.
Step 1: Boil 6 Cups of Water
In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, bring 6 cups of water to a slight boil. Once the water begins to boil, turn off the burner.
Step 2: Add All Remaining Ingredients
Add the Borax and washing soda. Stir to dissolve. Then add 9 cups of room-temperature water and 1 cup of liquid castile soap. Give the ingredients a stir to combine.
Step 3: Allow to Cool for 5-10 Minutes
Allow the soap to cool for a few minutes before pouring into one large gallon-size jar or smaller containers, like quart-size jars. Make sure your jar(s) are heat-safe. If not, wait until the soap is cool, then spoon the soap into the jar(s).
If you’re reusing an old detergent bottle, make sure the soap is fully cool before adding to a plastic container.
Step 4: Add an Essential Oil For Scent
Add an essential oil of choice (if using) to the soap (now in the jar) and stir to combine with the detergent.
The essential oil will add a subtle fragrance, but shouldn’t be added until the soap cools as heat will cause the essential oil to evaporate.
How to Use This Liquid Soap
The detergent is ready to use immeadiately after making. And may be stored for later use.
- Give the jar a good shake or stir (with a long spoon) before use.
- Use this detergent just as you would any laundry soap to clean clothes.
- This homemade liquid laundry soap is highly concentrated which means you need only a small amount to get a dirty job done.
- For top loading washer machines, use 1/8-1/4 cup.
- For a front loader, use 1-2 tablespoons.
- Add the detergent directly to your washer or the laundry soap compartment.
With the leftover castile soap, make over 24 different household products, from all-purpose cleaner to stain remover to homemade face wash!
How to Store
- Use the soap within a month.
- Store in your laundry room, at room temperature.
- Learn more about the safety of making your own natural cleaners.
FAQs
Have a specific question? Leave a comment below and I’m happy to answer.
How to go natural in your laundry room, from homemade dryer sheets to fabric softener and laundry soap.
More Homemade Laundry Recipes
Learn how to make natural cleaners for your home
Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent
Equipment
- 1 large saucepan or dutch oven (big enough to hold 15 cups of liquid)
- storage jars (such as 2 half gallon-size glass mason jars, 1 gallon-size jar, or reuse an old detergent bottle) for storing the laundry soap
Ingredients
- 1 cup borax
- 1 cup washing soda
- 1 cup liquid castile soap unscented or scented
- 15 cups water divided
- 50 drops essential oil optional for scent
Instructions
- In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, bring 6 cups of water to a slight boil. Once the water begins to boil, turn off the burner.
- Add the Borax and washing soda. Stir to dissolve. Then add 9 cups of room-temperature water and 1 cup of liquid castile soap. Give the ingredients a stir to combine.
- Allow the soap to cool for a few minutes before pouring into one large gallon-size jar or smaller containers, like quart-size jars. Make sure your jar(s) are heat-safe. If not, wait until the soap is cool, then spoon the soap into the jar(s).If you're reusing an old detergent bottle, make sure the soap is fully cool before adding to a plastic container.
- Add an essential oil of choice (if using) to the soap (now in the jar) and stir to combine with the detergent. The essential oil will add a subtle fragrance, but shouldn't be added until the soap cools as heat will cause the essential oil to evaporate.
- As the soap sits, the mixture may form into a gel and become chunky. There may also be liquid and gel separation, simply stir or shake. This is normal.
How to Use
- For top loading washer machines, use 1/8-1/4 cup. For a front loader, use 1-2 tablespoons.
- Stain Treatment: Use a small amount of soap directly on the stain, scrub or rub the stain with a cloth. Repeat as needed, then wash the garment. Or use this stain remover spray.
Notes
- Give the jar a good shake or stir (with a long spoon) before use.
- Use this detergent just as you would any laundry soap to clean clothes.
- This homemade liquid laundry soap is highly concentrated which means you need only a small amount to get a dirty job done.
- Add the detergent directly to your washer or the laundry soap compartment.
More Cleaning Recipes
Mine got sudsy on top of the jug and gelled up and got quite clumpy in the rest. Still safe to use? Should I add more water?
Yes, completely normal.
Hello! My laundry soap is clearer than the yellow soap shown in the picture. Is that normal or did i not use enough of an ingredient?
Thank you!
Yes, that’s normal. It will depend on the type of castile soap used. Some are more yellow in nature.