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
Monica says
What can I use to make this because I am allergic to three or more of the ingredients.
Hope says
I used Kirk’s Natural soap instead of Naptha because it is healthier alternative
No Animal By-Products because it is:
Never Tested on Animals
Hypoallergenic
Biodegradable
No Synthetic Detergents
Ingredients:
Coconut Soap, Water, Vegetable Glycerin, Coconut Oil, Natural Fragrance
Rena says
Will buy products this weekend. Can’t wait!
heather says
Does anyone have children with skin sensitivities? My oldest gets a rash is we use anything but free and clear. Has anyone tried this with sensitive skin? Before I go spend the money on something I can not use.
Karrie says
Hi Heather, my daughter has sensitive skin & exzcema as well, and this is PERFECT for us, she has not had any issues whatsoever with this recipe. I would always buy free & clear detergents as well before making this because my daughter would break out in rashes. Give it a try and see what you think. I am not sure what your children are allergic or sensitive too, so I can’t guarantee it will work, but it worked for me and my daughter.
Mike Gallagher says
Dear Karrie,
I found your site a month or so ago and loved it. I saved it in my Favorite’s and have used it on several occasions making beans and laundry detergent. About a week ago my hard drive crashed and I never wrote down your web page name. I wanted you to know that I have spent 7 and a half hours looking for your page because it is such a great page. Thank you for the hard work you put into it.
Sincerely,
Mike
Karrie says
Oh my goodness, thank you SO much Mike! I am just so sorry it took that long to find me…next time just google homemade laundry detergent – I am one of the first ones you will find in search. 🙂 Seriously, your compliment just made my year. I kid you not. Thank you so much.
Chasity says
I am making this to wash my infants and 3 year old son clothes. Just wondering if anyone has used the Johnson’s bar soap and the purex crystals for baby. Just want to make sure to use the right amount of everything. I also got the oxyclean big container to help with stains.
matilda says
i have really sensitive skin and i usually use tide free. have you had any problems with allergies?
Robin says
How does this detergent work on dark colors? When I have used Oxyclean on darks in the past, they have faded quite a bit.
Karrie says
I haven’t had any problem with my darks lightening, maybe its because there is so little of it in each wash with that 1 Tbsp of detergent.
gail says
when you say you can use ivory soap can you use the ivory flakes so you don’t have to grate the other soap; that’s the only part i hate
Sydney says
Awesome! Can’t wait to try it! I just mixed up my first batch. I must add, I filled the purex crystal container back up with the mixture – perfect size/container for pouring since I have almost literally no storage by my washer/dryer. 🙂 Smells lovely using the baby purex crystals!
Karrie says
Great idea Sydney, use the purex container for the mix! Saves even more money and waste less.
Kathleen Leary says
I grated the fels up and then put it in my food prosser but it ended up like in little balls and it is not mixing like I thought it would. I still need the oxie,baking soda and the borax as Walmart did n’t have it. Hope this changes how it mixes.
Even the fels it different than it used to be. Smells diffierent to.
Kristiana says
When I grate the fels neptha in the food processor add about 1/2 up of borax first. I’ve notice when grating the soap alone it trends it gets hot from the blade then starts to feel sweaty then clumpy as mentioned and hard to process. Adding the borax I noticed keep the soap dry and the soap will grate to a fine dust. Hope it helps.
Carolyn says
I just made my first batch! I wanted to try it out so I washed a dark load and I used 2 tbsp but it didn’t suds up at all so I added 2 more tbsp still no suds is that normal?
I must say it smells lovely…
Teri says
Just mixed mine up tonight. Can’t wait to try it. We used the lavender Purex Crystals and it smells great!
Angela says
Regarding the use of vinegar…(which I love to use as a cleaner for floors, mirrors, counter, etc)…it is very harsh on your washers components gaskets, seals, etc. Most machines warn against it.
erika says
I am confused.. so you use the whole box of borax, and whole box of washing soda… do you use the 1.5 or 3# container of oxy clean (I wasn’t sure with the recipe…)?
Karrie says
I used 1.5 for my recipe, but in my picture I had half a container. I think it would be okay to use a whole container if you wanted to for extra stain protection though.
Teri says
I used about 1.5 lbs and figured I would try that first. If it isn’t working how I want it, I can always add more. Too much will cause your clothes to fade. So, I decided to add 1.5 lbs and keep the other 1.5 pounds on the shelf to add to white loads.
Maggie says
My daughter has made this several times and she puts a little bit of the washing soda into the soap when she processes it the second time. When I tried to do it the first time it all stuck together but when I tried it that way it works much better!
Joanie says
I have been using this detergent for almost a year. I am in fact just about to make my second batch! I had lost my recipe so was very glad to find this! It even gets my husbands dirty work clothes clean and I use cold water! Love the fabric softener recipe: 1 tablespoon rubbing alcohol, 2 good squirts lavender and white vinegar. Mix in a cute bottle and leave on washer. The 2 go together well!
Lauren Price says
When you say 2 “good squirts” of lavender what do you mean? Essential oil?
How much do you put in the wash?
Thanks
Jenny says
Hey Just to let you know you can actually make your own washing soda it is just baking soda baked in the oven at 400 degrees til it becomes the washing soda. I don’t know if this would be more cost effective but I can never seem to find the washing soda.
Lara says
How long do u bake it?
MaryH. says
Hi I just tried this homemade laundry soap, I’m very excited about the cost savings, but when I did my laundry, I checked during the wash cycle and I didn’t have any bubbles. Am I supposed to have bubbles? will my cloths still be clean?
Karrie says
I have a high effeciency laundry machine and never seem to get bubbles on any laundry detergents. So I am not sure how this works on other machines. I don’t have bubbles but I love this detergent!
gennie says
I was wondering if there was a different alternative to Ivory or Fels-Naptha? I have not been able to use Ivory since I was a teenager. It makes my hands swell and not sure I wanna waste my money trying the Fels-Naptha. Any suggestions would be helpful.
Karrie says
Is there another type of soap you do use? Give it a try and see if it works. 🙂
gennie says
I do not use bar soaps, I use only liquid soap for hands and dishes. I do not like the way bar soap feels on my hands.
Eirykah says
Dr. Bronner’s has a baby mild unscented bar of castile soap. That’s what I use for my daughter and myself (we both have sensitive skin, allergies, asthma and eczema).
gennie says
I did look at the ingredients for both suggestions and they have all the same ingredients so I cannot narrow it down to what I could be allergic to. Oh and you are welcome I like websites like this where people help other people.
Karrie says
Hmmm… well, you have to be careful with allergies. I am not sure. Maybe try this detergent recipe without the soap? Not sure if your clothes will come out as clean… Or you could make your own homemade bar soap like I did (wait a few months for it to cure, grate it down to use in your own natural laundry soap like pioneers did!) Here is a link to making homemade soap. https://happymoneysaver.com/happy-homesteading-making-homemade-soap-2/
gennie says
I will give it a try thank you so much for you help. God Bless and hope to be of help to others.
gennie says
I know the Coconut Oil cost pretty expensive in the jars at the store. There is a company locally that sells the Coconut Oil at a more reasonable price. http://www.valleypopcorn.com/
For a 5lb (320 fluid oz measured myself) it costs $16.95 ($0.053 an oz) which would make the soap even cheaper than the cost you have listed. I use the coconut oil for cooking baking and even spreading on toast due to it being healthier than butter. hope this helps more people. 😀
Kitykatmom says
At the dollar general the have epson salt in certain smells already. Does the epson salt cause any problems like rust?
Jan says
I’ve made this same recipe a couple of times this year because I use so much of it! Love it for my laundry which I only use the 1-2 T, but I also have dissolved it in hot water and used it in my shampooer. It works great and rugs smell good. I have also put it in dry form in some old suitcases I bought to take some of the musty smell away. Have even used it sprinkled on my deck and hosed down after something got into a bag of trash. When I went to a laundromat recently to wash some big comforters, I walked in with a baggie and everyone else had 3-4 bottles and boxes of products with them!!! Wanted to get up on a soap box and shout out the recipe! Would also be great for going camping, to the beach, any travel, and for college students! Even my elderly dad who has a problem lifting the big bottles! Love this stuff!!!
Karrie says
Yes I totally agree, this recipe is the BEST!! 🙂