Making your own Homemade Laundry Detergent
I finally decided to try and make my own homemade laundry detergent using ingredients you can buy at your local supermarket. I was a little bit worried when I saw how many ingredients I needed to buy to make this, and wondered if this would really be cost effective or not. But after making this, doing the math and using it I can tell I will always be making and using my own homemade from now on. It’s a great way to save money!
Here are the cast of ingredients to make your own homemade laundry detergent:
1 Box of Super Washing Soda 3 lb. 7 oz. ($3.24)
1 Box of Borax 4 lbs 12 oz. size ($3.38)
1 Box of Pure Baking Soda 4 lb. ($2.12)
3 bars of Fels-Naptha 5.5 oz. or you could also use Ivory soap ($0.97 x3)
1 container of Oxy-Clean 1.3 lb ($3.86)
*optional: Purex Crystals 28 oz. for scent (or you could use Downy unstoppables ) ($5-$6)
All these ingredients cost a total of $20.27 out of my pocket (Walmart prices).
And that was without using coupons. If some coupons become available you will spend even less.
The first step is to grate your Fels-Naptha Bar. You can use a cheese grater to do this, but I used my food processor as it was a lot quicker. Using my food processor I first grated the bar like cheese, and then used the regular blade to grate down fine. You could use Ivory soap (just microwave it and it will foam where you can just crush it into a fine grade).
Next I grabbed one of my plastic tote bins and put a black garbage bag inside of it. Then I poured each one of the ingredients inside like so.
Mix all these ingredients up well. Possibly throw in some free child labor.
Then add it all to your container of choice.
There is quite a lot of this homemade laundry detergent. In fact it is 18 lbs. worth!
That is 18 lbs of Laundry Detergent!
You only need to use 1-2 tablespoons per load, and yes you can use it in your High Efficiency washing machines (that’s what I have been using). Some people worry that just 1-2 tablespoons is not enough, but this stuff is concentrated and works really well! I have been using it for months now. My daughter has really sensitive skin, and this has been wonderful for her since all the others out there have add-ins.
But is this cost effective?
So I did the math of course, to figure out how much per load this recipe makes. I am super excited about the results because it is as low as $0.04 per load which is a stock up price when it comes to laundry detergent and using coupons. But watch for coupons on these items to even make the cost lower.
By Comparison –
Ultra Tide powder 143 oz. box, 8.9 lbs. = $17.97 at Walmart ($0.12 per load)
This Homemade Laundry Detergent recipe makes 18 lbs (or 288 oz.) and costs $20.27. 1 lb of this is about 28 tablespoons. 18 lbs equals 504 loads @ 1 tbsp per load. Final price is just $0.04 per load!
So $0.04 per load homemade versus $0.12 per load (Tide).
So even the largest box of Tide detergent at Walmart which has 102 loads won’t last as long as this homemade stuff. And you can save so much money by making this yourself. Give it a try, you won’t be sorry…I promise!
Ingredients
- 1 box Super Washing Soda 3.7 lb
- 1 box Borax 4 lb 12 oz. size
- 1 box Pure Baking Soda 4 lbs
- 3 5.5 oz bars of Fels-Naptha
- 1 container Oxy-Clean 1.3 lb
- 1 28 oz *optional: Purex Crystals for scent or you could use Downy un-stoppables
Instructions
- Finely grate the Fels-Naptha. Mix all the ingredients together and store in container of your choice. Use only 1-2 Tablespoons of detergent per load.
Homemade Laundry Detergent – costs $20.27 to make – can last a whole year or even longer (504 loads)
Updating this post: this recipe has lasted 10 months for my family of 6!! Plus I wanted to share this awesome comment posted from Nick (thanks for your service Nick!):
I think that is the best comment ever!
I make a double batch [even LESS EXPENSIVE!!] and store it in a screw cap bucket from the wrapped chlorine tabs for my pool. It keeps it super fresh and lump free. I kept the scoop from the OxiClean in the bucket to refill my mason jar that I keep beside my front load washer. I am a one OCD person household and each double batch lasts me at least 1 year 3 months. I’m on my third double batch now! This ‘life hack’ crosses one more thing off my list of things to think about.
Question: The recipe says OxyClean 1.3 LB. Maybe it is a type – is it supposed to be 1.3 KG? I can’t find the 1.3 LB size anywhere, I am only seeing 3 LB – just making sure!
This is by far the best recipe I’ve ever used. I struggled for years trying to get the perfect balance so that our laundry would be clean, but without the annoying deposits frequently left on clothes from soap and other ingredients (also a common problem with commercial laundry detergents). With this recipe, not only is our laundry exceptionally clean, but there’s zero soap deposits left on our clothes, or even on the washing machine. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience!
Yay! So happy you love it!!
, My daughter showed me this. I have made it three times ( just finished making the third batch)! I am alone; so one batch lasts me a very long tome. Made my first batch almost 2 years ago!
This laundry soap works so well; and I put the fabric softener crystals in; so it’s an “all at once” add for me.
LOVE THE WAY THIS LEAVES MY CLOTHES!
Hi! Can you use bleach In your load while using this recipe as the detergent? Thank you!
Yes you can Hollie, thanks for the question!
Thank you so much!
Thank you so much I’m going to try this!
I am planning on using this for my household. Wanted to share some with a friend also, but her child is super sensitive and has to use the clear all for her skin. Anyone with sensitive skin try this? How does it work? Any reactions?
I have eczema and have always had problems with certain soaps. My washing machine fixit guy recommended the homemade laundry soap to eliminate the musty smell I was getting in my new front loading washing machine and on my clothes. I was a little hesitant to use to soap because of my sensitive skin. Well that was over 10 years ago. I’m very happy I made the first batch of soap. I’ve been using it ever since.
I’ve used this for 3 batches because my oldest daughter kept having reactions to store bought laundry detergent. She’s had no issues using this recipe.
You do realize washing soda and baking soda are the exact same thing? Save yourself the expense of duplicate ingredients.
The difference between baking soda and washing soda is water and carbon dioxide. Baking soda’s chemical makeup is NaHCO3 (1 sodium, 1 hydrogen, 1 carbon, and 3 oxygen molecules). Washing soda’s chemical makeup is Na2CO3 (2 sodium, 1 carbon, and 3 oxygen molecules).
Here’s a link that explains it well and directions for making your own:
https://naturesnurtureblog.com/how-to-make-washing-soda/
i second your research, however washing soda is ment to be a detergent in its self being much coarse as for the baking soda it last within the fabric to keep the fabric from tethering and fraying,
This is the same recipe I’ve used for YEARS! I LOVE this stuff!
*After mixing, I put it into TWO 1-gallon plastic containers with screw top lids from Walmart. You have to jiggle them a little to get it all in, but it will all go in.
*These two containers last AT LEAST one year for 2-3 people.
*I use about 1-1.5 Tablespoons per load and put vinegar in the fabric softener receptacle of the washing machine.
*I have a front load high-efficiency washer and have never had any issues using this powder.
*We have a septic system and have never had an issue.
Do you use the vinegar in with all colors and fabric types, or only whites?