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!
Homemade Laundry Detergent
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!
OTHER GREAT DIY CLEANING RECIPES
- Best EVER Homemade Carpet Cleaning Solution
- All Natural Carpet Cleaning Solution Using Vinegar
- DIY Carpet Cleaner Powder Dry Shampoo
- Homemade Armor All Car Cleaning Spray
- DIY Liquid Hand Soap recipe
- Make Your Own Swiffer Wet Pads
About Karrie
Food is my love language. But so is saving money. So I like to combine the two a lot and make thrifty make ahead and freeze meals to save time. Because life is busy, and freezer meals can come to the rescue for all of us. And yes, they actually CAN taste good. Read more...
Comments & Reviews
Kristin Kay says
For frugality reasons, and environmental and health concerns, you can actually make your laundry soap just as good WITHOUT as many of the products as you listed above. Did you know that washing soda, baking soda, and shaved bar soap(kirks) refined in a food processor with added essential oils that have different properties, is SUPER EFFICIENT AND WAY CHEAPER? Plus, just use Borax as your booster. Volia, save MORE money, save our ecosystems, save our planet, save ourselves, by choosing to use less chemicals we can live healthier lives and SAVE MORE MONEY WITH LESS INGREDIENTS. Also, Borax, Washing Soda, Baking Soda, and Salt are all natural brighteners/whiteners so not sure why the expensive Oxy is even necessary in your recipe, plus it’s toxic. I noticed another reader posted a similar response. I’m always psyched to see what other homesteaders are doing. I was shocked that you use chemicals in your formula that are harmful to the environment. Homemade goodness is generally better, when it’s good for you. Cool website. And I like the point the other person made about natural whitener, hydrogen peroxide is the green friendly substitute for bleach-we use Borax seperately most of the time, and vinegar as a fabric softener and smell neutralizer if needed. Add essential oils to boost the scent.
Kara says
What’s your exact recipe? I’m looking for the healthiest I can
BRENDA says
i just made this , i have an he front load machine, wondering if i put it in the compartment that says detergent or do i put it right into the machine?
Karrie says
I use the detergent compartment – but remove the liquid holder in it. 🙂
Becky says
Hey! I am wanting to try your homemade dishwasher tabs recipe (I couldn’t find a comment section on that page, sorry!) After a long search I’ve finally found a place to purchase my washing soda, but my next problem is the unsweetened lemonade mix. Every mix I find is sweetened with either aspartame or sucralose. I’ve looked in dollar stores and all my grocery stores, any suggestions?
Sheyna says
I think you were looking at the ready-to-use packets? I believe the recipe calls for the “regular old fashioned” Kool-Aid or store-brand drink mix packets – you know, the ones that say to ADD 2 cups of sugar when making it in a 2 quart pitcher. I just bought them at Walmart – $0.20 each!! 🙂
simplelifemom says
A few thoughts. #1 the person above saying borax is to blame for the grey water or bleaching is wrong. A study into chemistry shows that borax dissolves in cold and hot water. It simply is more effective in warm water. There has been controversy over borax because people confuse it with borax acid-different thing. #2 I would never use Pyrex crystals because it contains dyes, man made perfumes, and PEG 150 Distearate – all know carcinogens. Oxiclean is the same. Also containing hydrogen peroxide which can bleach your clothes, and detergents which are also unhealthy for many reasons. Also, Baking soda and washing soda are the same thing (also in oxiclean which is redundant); it’s just that washing soda has larger molecules. Using just the washing soda, borax, and grated soap you have a great cleaning agent. Though those finding grey or dark water are probably seeing their hard water chemically react with the soap creating sterates that are non water soluble. Just remove the grated soap and wash with 1 part washing soda, 1 part borax in warm water (what I do). Even cheaper and much healthier. http://simplelifemom.com
Joan says
I just made this recipe. I also bought a box of Gain a week ago that I haven’t even opened yet. Would I be able to mix the Gain with my new soap mixture?
Bethany says
Super psyched to wanna try this..BUT… can someone help me!!!???
I’m new at all *this*, but naturally simple minded ;*)…but HOW do you add powder detergent into a front loader ,liquid detergent dispenser?!
We have an all in one combo washer/dryer…and its a front loader…i just wanna do it right:-)
Thanks to whoever can help me Here because this blog rocks and I wanna be apart of this homemade, money saving GoOdNeSs!!
Blessings ya’ll
Anna says
So I just made our second batch and wanted to thank you for all the wonderful stuff on your website! The first batch lasted 6 months for a family of 4. (We’ve had lots of house company lately so it would have lasted even longer.) My first batch was made with Zote. This batch is half Zote and half fels naphtha. I run hot water to dissolve soap then add clothes. Before this I was using $20-25 in Tide every month. So I figure this recipe alone has saved us $105-135 since June. I also started making your dish washing soap and many other things on your website! I’ve recommended this site to many friends and several are now making their own soap. Thank you so much! You have helped us to not spend our money and be able to enrich our lives.
Rei says
Do you have to use Fels-Naptha or Ivory soap? Or can you use other kinds of soap?
Becky@Connect The Dots Ginger says
I look forward to trying this out very soon. Is there a replacement or another option besides the purex or downy. Can you leave them out completely or another product that is more natural based?
Karrie says
You can leave them out if you want to! 🙂
Alicia Hill says
I’ve been making my own detergent for quite a while and even some homemade fabric softener. But what I really miss is the noticeable scent of the store bought kind. I really want to use the crystals, but we have a front loader and you’re not supposed to add the crystals through the detergent dispenser. And I’ve heard if you put detergent straight in the tub of a HE front loader, it won’t dissolve correctly. Ugh! Any recommendations? I just want to pull my laundry out and say “ooh that smells nice!” 😉
Brandy Haynes says
Alicia, I have been using the Purex Crystals for years on all of my family’s clothes in a front loader. The catch is that you have to omit the crystals from the detergent. The crystals go right into the tub, but the soap should go in the proper dispenser. I have used this method in a home machine and at the laundromat with no problems. Hope this helps! 🙂
ScrubbyBubble says
Really, the Fels, washing powder, and borax is all you really need. The other stuff doesn’t hurt, but it’s not critical. Walmart sells baking soda for $2.50/4 lbs. for Arm & Hammer in the mop/broom section. They have a lesser known brand for $2/4 lb in the baking aisle. It’s cheap to convert baking soda to washing powder by baking the baking soda for 30 mins or so at 400 degrees F. Convert all or part depending on your needs.
The advantage to this natural soap is that it is a scent free detergent for hunting clothing. Works like a charm. Seems to get out protein stains without burning holes in the clothing like hypochlorites do.
The three ingredients work well for all my washing and it is super cheap. 10 bucks lasts me almost all year.
sanem says
Just one humble suggestion, do not let your kids help you while making the detergant because the borax in it. It should not be handled with bare hand and it definetly should not be inhaled. Thanks for the great recipe by the way 🙂
Chayote says
My homemade detergent is in two ice cream plastic containers to keep the low cost.
Karrie says
They also work well in Gallon sized bags too!
Chayote says
That is another good idea. It also will keep the moisture away. =)
april says
i made my first batch in march and it has lasted until october!!! it has lasted seven months with seven people and many pets in the house. it also works great on oily uniforms. i used to pay almost $20 a month in laundry soap and now i’m only spending roughly $3. thanks for this recipe, it cleans better then commercial soaps and lasts much longer.
kathi morgan says
How long do you microwave the ivory soap????
ShawnMarie says
*sigh* I really wish that sites promoting home made dry laundry soap would STOP adding extra ingredients. Let’s look at it chemically and how these things break down.
Borax is for liquid soap, it doesn’t break down properly unless it’s dissolved in hot water and is only used in commercial detergent for liquid soap due to that losing it’s potency when not kept air tight.
The reason that some people have a problem with their soap breaking down in cold water is the Borax. It’s not required & will not always break down in cold water.
Also – baking soda is not ever needed if you have Washing soda – they are the same thing chemically (though one is NOT edible) with a different ph balance. If you want soap for delicates or sensitive skin use baking soda instead of washing soda. Adding baking soda only gives you a larger amount of detergent.
One of the points to making our own laundry soap is to save money & cut out the unnecessary ingredients. These recipes that are shared & copied are full of extra ingredients that only make bigger batches but don’t add any real benefit to the detergent – that’s what commercial soap does too.
When I was first going to make detergent I saw all these recipes and they were all the same, but then I started looking at them from a chemistry POV, looked into what each ingredient was and dug deeper. It was all so much bloat – both on the wallet and for the detergent. For a quick, easy detergent I just cut out all the unrequired stuff:
Pink Zote Soap (because it has violet dye which brightens whites – whites lose their brightness when the dye in the fabric fades, whiteners are made of violet or blue dye to restore that but use fels naptha if you want – I hate how it smells) & Washing Soda. That’s it – 2 ingredients. It’s not going to make a huge batch like this, but it’s a pure batch with no extra and you can make as much as you want.
For every 14 – 15 oz of grated Zote 2 cups of washing soda. Grind it all up fine & use 2 tbs for a standard load 3 for extra large or extra dirty. It has a clean smell that isn’t heavy or perfumed. You can add scents if you choose via essential oil or even scented fabric softener crystals we prefer not to as we like the neutral scent. For fabric softener I pour vinegar into the rinse cup in the washer. That varies as some may need more if they have hard water.
We have a well and never have a problem. My daughter, Miss “It has to be commercial to be quality” has stopped using commercial soap and will now only use the soap I make for her family because she likes the freshness.
Bad stain? Rub a bit of wet Zote on it and most of those will come out – it does wonders on hubby’s dress shirts & t-shirts for the underarms & collars.
Kristin Kay says
I somewhat agree with you. I use 1 tbsp of Borax as my whitener/brightener and 1 tbsp of my laundry soap for all my washes. I sell my laundry soap and people swear by it. Including my husband who has had plenty of contaminants on his clothes from wrenching. However. I started with Zote soap flakes because they were easier to break down, but switched to Coconut based bar soap(Kirk’s) because there are no animal bi-products. Plus I wanted to support American products and Zote is from Mexico. But it works, and the white flakes smell good. I switched to Kirks, and use that with baking soda, washing soda, and essential oils. By combining the two natural whitener/brighteners it makes the laundry soap more effective. I mix all my ingredients together in batches using a high speed food processor to get them to a very fine consistency so that they dissolve well. I use the grater on my food processor to shred the bar soap into flakes and then store the extra soap flakes for next time.
Borax dissolves fine in cold water. If it’s as hard as a rock, it’ll sit in the clump in the bottom. So I strongly disagree with your opening statement. Also, there are a lot of people who create dry laundry soap recipes with borax. I prefer to keep it separate so I can use it as an additional boost. The box even indicates to use it this way. Oh, and with my recipe, only 1 tablespoon per wash is needed. Doesn’t matter on the size of the load. Using essential oils makes it smell amazing and adds additional antimicrobial/antibacterial properties, especially when you use citrus essential oils. It’s interesting reading what works for different people. Pretty neat how many different opinions and recipes formulate and work. My formula is also great for sensitive skin and good for the ecosystem.
Sandy says
I have been making homemade laundry soap for over 4 years now, but my process is quite a bit longer as it entails lots and lots of water, and cooking the bar soap til it dissolves and letting it sit overnight and then it turns into a gell. I will try this ‘dry’ method – looks to be a whole lot easier! Also my recipe doesn’t call for the Oxyclean or baking soda. I make a softener of vinegar & baking soda, so maybe I don’t need the extra baking soda in the detergent?
April says
I had the same thing happen in just one load. I ran an empty load with just the detergent first to clean out the washer and had washed a couple of other loads before it happened. I was washing some black/dark blue clothing and threw one red shirt in with it and it came out very dark with even darker splotches. I had dried it before I realized what had happened and I thought it was ruined, but I re-washed it and it came clean.
April says
I made this a few days ago using 4 bars of Ivory instead of Fels Naptha. I used the extra bar of Ivory because the Fels Naptha weighs an ounce more per bar than that Ivory does. I also made and used your epsom salt/essential oil blend instead of using Downy Unstopables or Purex Crystals. I also used scent free/dye free Oxyclean, although next time I think I’ll use the Bioclean version.
First of all, this does work, which surprised me. It got out some stains which I thought it wouldn’t touch. I have to admit though that I started out using 4 tablespoons per load (I have a top loader) because I thought that 2 tablespoons wouldn’t be enough, but I’m down to 2 tablespoons now.
I can’t smell the essential oils at all in this, only the Ivory soap, so next time I won’t use them as it seems like a waste.
Also, I had a problem with color transfer as another commenter said. I’ve never had that problem with any other detergent before. I did a load of blacks/dark blues and threw one red shirt in there. The red shirt came out a lot darker with several big dark splotches on it. I didn’t notice until it had already been dried and thought it was ruined. But I threw it back into a another wash and it came out clean. Weird.
Overall I’m pleased with the way it works and the great cost savings. As long as I don’t continue to have color transfer issues I’ll keep making it. And next time I plan on using a milder smelling soap, maybe unscented castile.
April says
Update: So I’ve been using this for a month now and my laundry is becoming more and more dingy and smells off. The socks are the worst. It won’t touch the dirt on the bottoms. I started using 1/4 cup again but am now using 1/2 cup to get anything clean. I have soft water and use nothing but vinegar instead of fabric softener. I can’t figure out what the problem is, so I won’t be making this again.
April says
I wore a mask when I mixed it because it was going into the air and stinging my nose.