This page contains recipes for homemade laundry detergent. Homemade laundry detergent can be just as effective as store bought brands as well.
Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.
Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons. Top Load Machine- 5/8 cup per load (approximately.180 loads). Front Load Machines- 1/4 cup per load (approximately 640 loads).
Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" - in some stores or may be purchased online here (at Meijer.com). Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate! Recipe cost approx. $2 per batch.
Source: http://www.duggarfamily.com/recipes.html
By Erin813 from Seffner, FL
You can find most of these ingredients at WalMart in the same general area, like on a bottom shelf.
First get 2 quarts of water boiling, stir in grated bar soap until dissolved, then remove from heat and stir in dry ingredients. Divide between 2 buckets.
To each bucket add have the bluing and Oxiclean plus the fabric softener (if you use it). Stir these until well mixed or use the stick blender. Add water to bring buckets to 3/4 full. Let sit overnight.
Next morning, stir again. It will be a gel like substance, stir very well until thoroughly blended. Pour into soap into containers 3/4 full (use funnel). Shake very well when going to use it.
I get detergent containers from recycling boxes, friends, family members. I like the big ones with the spigot on the end. You can shake it and set on shelf then measure half the cap. If you have others doing laundry, take a permanent marker and mark where half is at on the cap. Make sure they only use half. This is concentrated.
I only wash in cold water and if I have stains to pre-treat, I have an extra bar of Fels Naptha that I get the garment wet and scrub with the bar. It washes out well in the machine.
Try this! You have nothing but a half hour of time to lose and you will see how well this does and how far it goes. I was amazed when I first tried it. I added the bluing, Oxiclean, and fabric softener to the main recipe you can find anywhere. The bluing brightens whites. I don't like bleach. The Oxiclean is a little extra insurance that it will get really clean, and I use the fabric softener (like national brands do now), to not use softener sheets that clog the filter and cause problems on the life of the dryer. Happy laundry day!
By Suedobbins from Davenport, IA
Buy these ingredients at the dollar store. You will only need 2 tablespoons per load of laundry. You can add 1-2 containers of fabric softener crystals into the mix for a nice smell.
By coville123 from Brockville, Ontario
Buy a bar of Fels-Naptha soap (found at most grocery stores). Shave it or run through a food chopper, until very fine. Then melt it on a stove in a sturdy pan with 4 cups of hot water. Stir and melt until totally dissolved. Then pour into a 5 gallon bucket and add one cup of Arm and Hammer washing soda, one half cup of borax, and fill the bucket to the top with very hot water. Stir real good.
Let set overnight. It will be thick and gelled, that's OK. Stir up real good again, and fill empty soap containers with half of this concoction and fill the rest of the container with hot water. Then shake and store or use right away. Shake each time before using.
When doing wash, use about 1/2 cup per load. It works terrific! Really terrific! I have been using this for over two years now and the clothes are washed to perfection. And it's so cheap!
If you run out of fabric softener, add a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle, and your clothes will be super soft.
By Sondra from AZ
Grate 1 bar of Ivory soap (or other not strongly scented bar soap). Add 1/2 cup of borax. Add 1/2 cup washing soda. Mix together and store in air tight container. Use 1-2 tablespoons per load.
This recipe is for a low-sudsing detergent and works especially well in high efficiency washing machines.
Source: homemadelaundrysoap.net
By Alice from Poteau, OK
Use 1 1/2 to 2 cups per load of laundry. You can add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the load as well. Use 1/2 cup vinegar in a downy ball as a softener (the vinegar smell does not stay in your clothes).
Marsha
I'm looking for a laundry detergent recipe.
By Bugluvver from St. Paul, MN
By mamaeverett08/20/2010You can Google a recipe. I have been told the recipe containing felsnaptha is the better one.
I am looking into making my own laundry soap to save some money, but will I really save money? I get my detergent on sale at the discount store and I figure that it costs about 12 cents a load. To me, that is very good. If I make my own, what will it cost per load based on your own experience.
Thank you,
Mindy from Oregon
By 1stborn02/16/2010Yes you will save money. I make soap 2 times a year. I make the powder detergent. I also use white vinegar in my loads also. Remember the ingredients used can be used for other cleaning so you will save money all around.
How do I make laundry soap with Fels Naptha soap?
By Koposhi from Decatur, IL
By salpif08/19/2010One very important thing to remember about using the Fels Naptha soap is that you should always remove the wrapper from each bar of soap and let it air dry out. Otherwise, you will experience a problem because the soap will be much too soft to grate. If you are having trouble finding Fels Naptha soap, try a hardware store, which is where I buy my soap.
I am looking for a recipe for laundry detergent.
By emyboo04/16/2009Fill a 5 gallon bucket 1/2 full with hot water. Grate about 5 oz. of Ivory soap and dissolve it in a pot on the stovetop, stirring often. Add 1/2 cup borax and 1 cup washing soda to bucket. Then pour in the dissolved soap. Mix together to dissolve powders then fill bucket o the top with hot water. Cover and let sit overnight. Mixture will gel. When filling laundry detergent containers fill with 1 part detergent and 1 part water. Shake well before each use. You end up with 10 gallons of detergent! Use about 5 oz. per load. If you can't find washing soda use soda ash. It's the same thing. You can find it with swimming pool supplies. It will say sodium carbonate or soda ash. It's used to raise ph in swimming pools.
I just made my first batch of laundry soap (fels naptha, washing soda, borax combo). After sitting for 24 hours, it didn't gel up like it should have. Instead, it serparated into liquid with a waxy, 1 inch top (kinda looks like how fat rises on soup when refrigerated). What did I do wrong? Can it be fixed by re-heating the batch? I thought I followed the directions exactly.
Leann D
By mommy2four04/17/2011I bought Castille soap...can I use this in lieu of the Fels Napa soap?
Has anyone tried making their own laundry detergent? I read a recipe which used Fels Naptha soap, borax, and Arm and Hammer Super washing soda. It makes 10 gallons. You use 5/8ths of a cup per regular load. Does it clean regular clothing, etc.? Just curious. Thanks in advance.
By Sandi from Scotland, CT
By Angela Michels09/19/2011This is an awesome recipe for liquid laundry soap! I have been using it for over a year now and I absolutely love it! It works great as a pre-treat stain remover just by dabbing a bit on a stain and letting it sit over night. I have turned several of my friends and family onto this soap because once you try it you are hooked! The ingredients are trustworthy products that have been around for years! This recipe makes 5 gallons of liquid laundry soap so you only have to make a batch every few months depending on how much you go through laundry detergent.
What you'll need:
A Kitchen Grater
A Funnel
A Laddle
Empty Jugs to Store your soap
5 Gallon Bucket or a Large 5 Gallon Pot
5 Gallons of Water
1 Bar of Fels Naptha Soap grated (Found in the bar soaps aisle)
1 1/2 Cups of Borax (Found in the laundry soap aisle)
1 1/2 Cups of Arm & Hammer Washing Soda (Found in the laundry soap aisle)
1 1/2 Cups Dawn Dishsoap (Optional)
Marbles (Optional)
First you grate your bar of Fels Naptha Soap, either in a bowl or straight into a pan. Bring a gallon of waer to a boil, and add your shredded Fels Naptha Soap. Stir occasionally until your Fels Naptha is completely melted. Once the Fels Naptha is melted, turn off the burner. Then add 1 1/2 cups of Borax and 1 1/2 cups of Arm & Hammer Washing Soda to the pan. Stir until both powders are completely dissolved. Now at this point you can add the remaining 4 gallons of water either into your pan if it is large enough, or you can pour contents of the pan into a 5 gallon bucket then add the remaining 4 gallons of water. Mix it all up really good. At this point you have made a laundry detergent but it does not have suds like traditional laundry soap. I have to have a laundry soap that gt sudsy because my memory is not very good and sometimes I forget if I put the laundry soap in. So at this point I slowly stir in 1 1/2 cups of Dawn Dishsoap. It is great for cutting grease also! Now you let your soap cool down before we add it to our jugs. After it cools I use a ladle to scoop up the soap and a funnel to pour it into my jugs leaving about an inch from the top of the jug. It's a great way to recycle your old laundry soap jugs! I personally use old juice bottles because they are smaller, and weigh less. If you have a back or neck problems, or are making this for an elderly person then juice bottles are great way to go! I like to add one marble to each one of my jugs because over time this soap will thicken so the marble works great to help mix it up again. Before each use I lightly shake the bottle to stir up the ingredients and give it a nice liquid form again. I add about a 3/4 cup of soap per load, and get beautiful results! This recipe is safe for HE washers as well.
I need a recipe for low suds laundry detergent. Thank you.
By Lola from Bartlesville, OK
By Candlelight08712/01/2010A helpful hint is to use Ivory bar soap when making this recipe. You can put the soap in the microwave (that's right...the microwave!) and watch it expand. Then place the expanded soap in a pot of boiling water and dissolve it. There is no grating which is a big plus since I hated grating my soap! Not to mention if you have kids, they love to watch the soap expand and it will not hurt your microwave one bit! Happy laundry soap making!
I would like to make my own laundry soap. It calls for Fels-Naptha laundry soap, borax, and Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda. I cannot get the soap and washing soda in my area. Would it be okay to use Sunlight pure soap and just regular Arm and Hammer soda instead?
By Pam
By ConservativeMama03/07/2012You can make washing soda from baking soda by yourself in the oven. The only difference chemically is the presence of carbon dioxide. Google "making washing soda from baking soda." It's a simple process and the chemical change is easily evident.
I am working on a green laundry detergent recipe to sell to consumers. I want to do my part in saving this planet. I understand that soap nuts with a few other natural ingredients works great for what I am trying to do but the liquid version of it has to be used within 3 to 4 days. Do you have any recipes or suggestions on what to use for preservatives to make it have a longer shelf life?
Nakia
By Cyinda05/12/2009You can also use GSE (Grape Seed Extract). It's sold in most Health Food Stores. It's a 100% Natural cleaner & antibacterial made from Grapefruit Seeds. Using the name-brand of "Nutribiotic". It cost about $12 or so for a small bottle, but it should last you quire some time cause you only need a little!
Read more about GSE & Nutribiotic here:
http://www.pureliquidgold.com/
http://www.pureliquidgold.com/citricidal.htm
* Lots of Soap makers use GSE to preserve their homemade soap. You'll only need a tiny bit. Like about half a teaspoon per gallon. With GSE you Laundry soap should last a month or so. At least I think so. You can also keep the soap fresh longer by keeping it cold. Do you have an extra fridge in the garage? If so, this may be the way to go or maybe leave it the soap outside in the winter.
This is the recipe I used: 1 bar of grated fels naptha soap in 4 cups of water in a medium size pan, over medium heat until all soap dissolves. I also added grapefruit scent from Hobby Lobby made for making soap.
Has anyone had trouble with homemade laundry detergent? I made a batch using the recipe: 1 bar of shredded soap, 1 cup washing soda, and 1 cup borax. It called for using a tablespoon in the wash. I have been using 2 tablespoons and it does not seem to be getting my clothes clean. Does anyone have a suggestion?
By pcheflm from MA
By cassiegerald04/14/2011I always use 1/4 cup of the homemade liquid laundry detergent and I have no problem with my clothes coming clean and sometimes I also add about 20 drops of essential oil to the laundry detergent while it is in the bottle and when I do the rinse, I use 1/4 cup of white vinegar that also has the 20 drops of essential oil to the gallon and it leaves my clothes smelling fresh and clean.
Has anyone got a recipe for homemade laundry detergent that does NOT include borax? I CANNOT find it in my country. I have an automatic front loader. Washing soda and laundry bar soap is easily available here. Any suggestions please? Most detergents here in Malta are imported and they are very expensive. Thanks.
By LaToya (Guest Post)12/07/2008For those that have a hard time finding the washing soda you can call 1-800-524-1328 and give them your zip code and they will tell you the stores close to you that carries it. The code for it is UPC: 33200-03020 but I did not have to tell them the code.
For locations that carry the Borax you can put in your zip on this site and it will bring up a list of local stores for you http://www.dialcorp.com/storelocator/storeloc2.cfm You have to select laundry care in the brand drop down, then select 20 mule team borax 76 oz in the item drop down
I'm very intrigued by the idea of making my own laundry detergent, but I'm also a bit concerned. We purchased a front loader a few years ago and had the same problem as many with odors. After trying different ideas, I stopped using liquid laundry detergent and fabric softener.
I made the homemade laundry detergent last week and was wanting to add the scented oil to have it smell good. I am not sure which scented oil to add and am worried it may get oil on my clothes.
By MRB
Are the homemade washing detergent recipes OK for front loader washing machines?
By Jennifer
By ritaosmon11/07/2011I make my own liquid laundry detergent and use it all the time in my front loader. Works wonderfully!
What do you use to make your own laundry detergent? My husband and I are expecting and I am trying to think of new ways to cut costs. Does anyone know how to make homemade laundry detergent? If so please post the recipe!
Thanks!
By jimsjunque02/19/2010Wisconsin is where I live, We have Piggly Wiggly and Pick and Save grocery stores. I have found washing soda at both of these stores.It's made by Arm and Hammer [same company that makes Baking Soda ; 'edible ' ]. It helps to 'improve liquid laundry detergent performance up to 40%'. Also a household cleaner. Pure and natural, 100% fragrance and phosphate free. For a free booklet send a 'sase' to Super Washing, Arm and Hammer Division, Church & Dwight Co. Inc; P.O. Box 7468 Princton, NJ 08543-7468. Hope this helps to answer your question about washing soda[ not edible].
What is the shelf life of homemade laundry detergent using borax, soap, and washing soda? Thanks in advance.
By Sue
By susanmajp10/13/2011I've been making it for over a decade and make 2 batches at a time; none have ever gone bad.
Anyone have suggestions how to grate down pink Zote soap for laundry detergent? It is quite a soft soap and I have to leave it grated larger or it gets gummy. I would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks.
When I made my liquid laundry detergent, it came out fine. I have noticed since doing laundry with it that it seems the clothes end up with a really odd smell, kind of mildewy. Any ideas? I didn't add any scent, essential oils or anything. I really enjoy having clothes on the line after washing for that fresh from the line smell.
Thanks for any help.
By CascadeMom02/05/2008It is incredibly cheaper not to mention healthier for you and the water supply. We have a well and I wouldn't use anything else now.
Also no plastic jugs or packaging left to deal with. Win/Win/Win
And yes I do put vinegar in the rinse cycle. Removes all the soap, softens the water and clothes, and no static cling.
Can you add Oxiclean to homemade laundry soap?
By Karen
By frugalsunnie04/08/2012I've never added it to homemade powder, but I have mixed it in with commercial clothes detergent powder, so I think you should be able to do it with homemade.
It was pretty easy for me to do it with the commercial product because the soap and OxyClean containers are labelled for how many loads are in each (using the recommended amount per wash). I mixed the OxyClean and commercial soap powder based on that; used a wooden spoon to mix it in a squeaky clean bucket then put it in a dollar store tote to dispense.
I am using my homemade laundry soap and I have little pieces of soap that will not dissolve in the laundry water. Do I need to use hot water or is there a better solution?
By Cindy from St. Louis, MO
By susanmajp03/18/2010This is why I make the liquid. By the way, you don't have to put the liquid in a 5 gallon bucket. After melting the soap in some water, adding the borax and washing soda, pour it into a smaller container with a lid. Do not stir. It forms a semi-hard /semi-soft mass. Just scoop out a small amount and add to the wash. A Tbsp is plenty.
Anyone know of a recipe for laundry detergent for the new front loading washers. They call for HE formulas (low sudser and high efficiency).
Thanks,
Cathy
By reva
By cakelady (Guest Post)
By Leslie
I've used a recipe for making homemade laundry detergent, it contains borax, washing soda, grated soap, glycerin, and water. I have used the same recipe in the past, but didn't add the glycerin and water and just used it as dry powdered detergent. However, now that I've put it in a container, it seems to have formed a solid soap layer at the top of the jug!
Do any of you make liquid laundry detergent? If so, how do you keep it LIQUID? And do you have any tips on how to save this batch?
Rachel from California
By Sharon Fergusson
By Keena
By lilabytes
By camo_angels
By sharon
I have misplaced my recipe for making laundry detergent. Can someone out there send theirs? I really enjoyed using the homemade detergent; it was frugal and did a great cleaning job.
Thanks,
Nelwyn
With 3 teen-age kids, a husband, 4 dogs & a horse, there are dirty towels, jeans, etc. CONSTANTLY! A batch lasts me approximatly 1 month.
Perhaps a person could find the "sale" soap, but I wonder how much energy was used to make that product? Where is the plastic container going after the detergent is used? How much energy is being used to recycle these plastic containers? We can't say we do everything "green", but this is one of our contributions to our future environment. (06/22/2007)
By Deon
How do you make your own laundry detergent?
Patti from Levittown
By Alabama
By Kelly
By By Teresa
By Linda
I have lost my instructions for making homemade laundry detergent. Please help? Thanks.
Nelwyn from Bunkie
By Kathleen
Melt soap, then add washing soda (PH Plus) to the soap. Borax can be added at this time to soap mixture. Then add soap mixture to hot water in bucket. (01/23/2009)
By BMA1
By majorw
Homemade Laundry Soap Ingredients, Full Batch
In a large pail, pour hot water. Add melted soap, stir well.
Then add the baking soda, stir well again.
Use half cup per full load, 1 cup per very soiled load Note: add 1/4 to 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide per load for extra whiteness. (01/27/2009)
By JustPlainJo
By catielady09
We go through so much laundry. Laundry soap can really cut into a budget so here is a recipe to help you save dollars and keep you family smelling good. I find all of these at Harps.
Anyone know of a recipe for laundry detergent for the new front loading washers. I just acquired a new Frigidaire front-load washer.
I have saved a ton of money by making my own laundry detergent. I grate a bar of Fels Naptha soap (I buy it in the grocery store for about 79 cents) and add 4 cups of water to it.
I recently was away from home for a few days. I had just made up a double batch of this homemade powder laundry detergent.
I have read different articles on how to make laundry detergent, and tried our own recipe last week. I used Fels Napa bar soap, grated it up, put it on the burner with water covering it until it melted.
I make my own laundry detergent using Fels Naptha bar soap, Borax and Arm & Hammer Washing Soda. I was able to find the ingredients at my local market.
I would like to know how to make laundry detergent.
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Babysafe Homemade Laundry Detergent