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by Amber 351 Comments
Thinking about making your own homemade laundry detergent? This DIY laundry detergent is under $30 to make a year's worth. Find out how here!
Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe
If you've ever thought about making your own laundry detergent – you might have started looking at all the different recipes out there and got overwhelmed.
But look no further – this is the BEST recipe for DIY Laundry Detergent and it's SO EASY to make! Plus? It will last most families an entire year…. so you only need to make it once and it will go a LONG way.
Here's why this is the best homemade laundry soap you can whip up:
- IT SAVES MONEY – Costs around $30 for a 1-Year Supply
- IT SMELLS GOOD – You can leave out the scent beads if you want – but for me, having my clean laundry smell amazing is one of my happies in life!
- IT'S EASY TO MAKE – 6 simple ingredients, and you don't need a food processor or anything.
- IT WORKS REALLY WELL – even in Cold Water wash, for front loaders, or HE washing machines!
Here's How to Make Homemade Laundry Detergent
There are two different recipes for homemade detergent you can make – powder or liquid. Both use the same basic ingredients, but the liquid laundry detergent takes longer to make. I decided to go with the powder simply because it's easier to make!
I also like the option to add scent beads to the powder so I can customize each batch with a smell I love. (You can TOTALLY leave out the scent booster if you have extra sensitive skin or want to keep it more natural!)
Supplies needed:
- Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda or HERE (55 oz. Box)Note: It looks like the Amazon price is WAY high right now, so grab from Walmart until that changes!
- 20 Mule Team Borax (65 oz. Box)
- Pure Baking Soda (4 lbs)
- Fels-Naptha Soap (3 Bars)
- Oxi-Clean Stain Remover Powder (1.3 lb Tub)
- *Optional – Downy Unstoppables 26.9 oz (For a cheaper option useArm & Hammer or Purex Crystals)
Directions:
First, you want to crumble the soap into powder. To do that you'll first microwave it and make it big and puffy – then it crumbles really easily! (You can also grate the bar of soap, or if you have a food processor, you can use that).
Add to all the other ingredients and mix well. Store in an airtight container. Use 1 Tbsp per load or 2 Tbsp for heavily soiled clothes.
Line a 5 Gallon Bucket with a trash bag for your mixing bowl (You can also use a plastic tub)
Next, add the entire box of Borax, Washing Soda, Baking Soda, Oxy Clean (whole container) and Scent Beads
Then, cut the Fels Naptha Soap into about six pieces and microwave for 2:30 minutes (It will grow!) Let cool and repeat for the other two bars.
Crumble the soap as small as you can and add into the bucket of powdered ingredients.
Stir until well combined (You may want to use a big wooden spoon or scoop)
Store your homemade powder laundry detergent in an airtight container so it won't get clumpy.
Use 1 Tbsp for a regular load, or 2 Tbsp for a more soiled load.
Prefer a liquid homemade detergent? Here's a homemade recipe for that one as well!
Liquid DIY Laundry Detergent Recipe
Supplies Needed:
- Super Washing Soda (1/4 Cup)
- Baking Soda (1/4 Cup)
- Castile Soap (1/3 Cup)
- Your favorite Essential Oil (20-30 drops, depending on the strength) ~ I used Cotton Scent from this set and then got this big one bc it smells so good
- Glass Container ~ I grabbed this one at Walmart!
- Gallon of Water (divided)
Note that the cost on this one ends up being between $35 and $40 – but worth it if you prefer liquid detergent and want to make your own homemade laundry detergent using a recipe!
Directions:
1. Place 1/4 cup of washing soda and 1/4 cup of baking soda in container* and cover with super hot water. (I boiled about 4 cups (of the 16 cups needed) and added it).
2. Stir with large spoon until powders dissolve.
3. Add the rest of the gallon of warm water.
4. Add castile soap and essential oil. Stir gently.
5. Use 1/3 – 1/2 cup of detergent per load.
*If mixing together in a container with a spigot (like pictured above), you'll want to double check that the spigot is closed before adding the liquid ingredients!
Also try this DIY Fabric Softener as well!
Does Homemade Laundry Detergent Save Money?
If you picked up all your ingredients from the Amazon links provided, your upfront cost will be a little high (because you're buying in bulk in some of those links), but keep in mind that each box of washing soda and borax will make many, many batches of detergent!
If you pick up your supplies at Walmart & Amazon – this will be your out of pocket cost:
Note: Since prices vary at Walmart nationwide and Amazon prices are subject to change, your out of pocket cost might be slightly different.
- Fels-Naptha Bar Soap – $1.20 x 3 Bars – $3.60 at Walmart
- Arm & Hammer Washing Soda 55 oz – $4.76 at Walmart
- 20 Mule Team Natural Laundry Booster, Borax – $5.97 per box on Amazon (note: the cheapest option is to buy a 4-pack on Amazon so you can share with a friend or save for next year)
- Arm & Hammer Baking Soda – $2.98 at Walmart
- Oxi-Clean Stain Remover – $5.98 at Walmart
- Scent Beads – From $4.99 – $15 (Totally depends on which kind you decide to buy)
Total Cost = $28.09 for about 18 lbs of Homemade Laundry Detergent (WOWZA!)
That's about 504 Tablespoons – or 504 loads! That's enough to do 7-10 loads per week for a whole year 🙂
Total Cost per 1 TBSP load: $0.05
Considering Tide Powder is 20¢ per load – or Tide Pods are 25¢ per load – this DIY laundry detergent is a great way to save money!
Also check out these frugal posts:
- Can You Freeze Cheese? (+ 22 Other Freezer Foods)
- How To Get a CHEAP Rental Car During a Summer Shortage
