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
Lasey says
If I wanted to make a smaller batch and only one bar of soap, should i only use 1 cup of the other items?
Karrie says
If you wanted to use one bar of soap, you would need to use 1/3 amt. of each of the other ingredients. 🙂
Lasey says
If I wanted to make a smaller batch and use all the items bit only use one soap, how much of the other items should I use to make it equal?
MaShonda says
What I found in searchng the internet, if you are using one bar of the Fels Naptha, 1 cup of Washing Soda, 1 cup of Borax. Some recipes used Oxi-clean, however a lot of the sites left out the baking soda and oxi-clean.
Catherine says
I’m going to try the detergent recipe. Also, I want to subscribe to your newsletter.
Dennette says
What a great recipe! I have been using my homemade liquid detergent (tired of the big ole bucket and the shaking), but will be trying your dry recipe over the weekend. I have noticed some comments about dingy, white clothes. I have had this problem with all laundry detergents at times. The cure to dingy whites for me was BLUING (I buy Mrs. Stewarts brand). It doesn’t remove stains, but makes old white fabrics bright white again. And a little goes a long way.
amber says
Hello!! I have tried other DIY detergents, but I like your recipe better? But where do you buy your supplies? I can’t seem to find them for the prices you have listed & I am hoping to make it as economical as possible.
Thanks!!
Karrie says
Found all of mine at my local Walmart – look in the laundry section, you should see them all there.
Mary Jane Robinson says
From Mary Jane
I just made my first batch but not sure about it since don’t see any soap suds..
On the soap unable to find the Fels-Naptha and did find the Zote Flakes but had no idea how much to put into the mixture still…….and was wondering if the soap flakes by Zote work the same as grating your own soap bar. Also the soap bar by zote came in a pink and or a white and couldn’t see what the difference was. Saved me time by buying the Zote flakes but think next time will try the soap bar……..
Carly Fletcher says
Is it safe to use at the Laundromat? I know this sounds silly but I live in a apartment and we have no washer/dryer and no laundry center lol yeah I know “say whatttt?” but its cheap as my husband and I are trying to save up to buy a house 🙂 especially with the housing market starting to creep up! Thank you so much 🙂
Karrie says
Yes, it is absolutely safe to use at a laundromat. 🙂
Carly Fletcher says
Thank you for the prompt response! 🙂
michelle says
Hi ,I’m new to ur site I can’t wait to try the soap.
Karrie says
Welcome michelle, I am sure you will love it!
michelle says
Thank you!!
vanessa says
I am stunned, the mix works very well. Our clothes just smell ‘clean’, no lingering perfumes. Did not add the perfume crystals, since we are trying to reduce too many ‘scents’ in the house. I only made a small batch to test it out. Once it’s gone will do the rest. Thanks for sharing this info. Truly the internet has made a lot of resources available to those willing to search, simplify and reuse our limited resources.
Elissa says
I have a whole house water softener. Will these ingredients and proportions still work? Sounds great- Elissa
Ariana says
How can I turn this recipe into a liquid Laundry detergent instead of using it as powders?
Rachelle Stropola says
I made this lovely concoction over the weekend and used the Downy Unstoppables (smells like pink bubble gum). My family is IN LOVE with this detergent! Our son is active in multiple sports and has REALLY nasty clothes. One of the sports is wrestling, which means he goes through two changes of workout clothes per practice (to avoid the spread of bacteria onto the mats and teammates) then has to shower afterwards and put on yet another change of clothing just to be able to come home, this also means that his clothing has to be washed separately from the rest of the family’s. With that said, I am sure you get the gist of why this recipe is so “valuable” to me (one person going through 5 changes of clothes in one day). I really don’t love doing laundry, but this has made me actually look forward to the chore!! Thank You Karrie! May you and your family be ever so Blessed!
Karrie says
Aweee, that is so nice to hear! So glad it works well for you and your family. I have a wrestler too, so I know exactly what you mean.
Rachelle Stropola says
I am so happy that I found your site! I look forward to exploring your world further! Thank you for bringing us back to the reality that our grandparents knew in the “good ‘ole days”. And, let’s pray that the people in charge of the Olympics come to their senses….
Marilyn says
Can you use this detergent with cold water?
Karrie says
Yes! I do it all the time.
Joe Manleeman says
I love your site and your story! Thanks to you, I am going to try making my own laundry detergent AND lip balm. While investigating other DIY projects, I noticed some sites mention that some homemade laundry detergent (not this recipe specifically, but some similar ones) made their clothes come out “dingy”, and made their whites look “gray”. Have you (or any of your readers) come across anything like this? Thanks.
Karrie says
None of my clothes have come out looking dingy or gray. 🙂
Joe Manleeman says
Thanks for the response. I can’t wait to make my first batch. Keep up the great work! 🙂
angie says
I have been using this laundry soap for the last 3 years most of my friends and family are using it now and we all love it! I will never buy store bought detergent again! We are addicted!
Jill says
Clothes look dingy and gray because this homemade detergent doesn’t have brighteners added to it. I make my own because I’m trying to stay away from chemicals but if you feel you really need the brighteners, then I would add the chlorox2, that should solve the issue.
Shelley says
I learned from another site what the problem is that sometimes makes clothes dingy and/or gray with homemade laundry soap. When people switch to the DIY version, they often switch to vinegar as a fabric softener or rinse agent. The problem is that vinegar reverses the saponification process, separating the soap and turning it into oil. When this happens, your clothes literally come out dirtier than they went in. You *can* use the vinegar in the final rinse, but often some leaks into the wash cycle if one uses a fabric softener dispenser. I have learned that my HE front loader does leak fabric softener into the wash cycle, so I no longer use the vinegar. Haven’t had a problem with it since that discovery.
Robin says
Can you use this in an HE front loading washer?
Karrie says
Yes, I use it in my HE front loader washing machine.
Cristal says
I want to make this for our football team uniforms. They have industrial machines. Do you think that I would use the same amount or a little more?
Karrie says
How big are the machines? If they are really huge then maybe add a little more than the 2 tbsp – otherwise if it’s the same size, then just the same amt.
Cristal says
The machine are larger than normal. So I told them to use 3tbsp. Especially since they get really dirty. They do have the greased lightning to pre-treat them as well.
Amy Fraunfelter says
I made up my first batch today ~ and I only used 1.3 lbs of the OxyClean. Do I need to add more or is just the 1.3 ok to the rest of the ration of ingredients? Thank you!
Karrie says
I think it’s best to use the 1.3 lbs of Oxyclean. 🙂
Cristal says
I did not use the Oxyclean at all and put in Purex color saft bleach instead. Seems to be be working well and it was the same measurement as the oxyclean and it was $1.97.
Amanda says
We have tried homemade laundry soap in the past I didn’t feel the clothes smelled clean. Going to try yours and also add the crystals to see if that helps. Thanks for sharing.
maria says
HELP!!! we have been using this homemade soap for over a month and we’ve loved it. Although we have encountered a problem this past weekend. I don’t understand why this is happening after over a month but this weekend I’ve noticed some clothes have come out stained it seems like a discoloration of the clothing. WHY!??! Has anyone experienced this? I loved this soap until now… what’s happening?
lorrie says
It maybe the oxyclean. I tried to treat a shirt stain w/that stuff once. And it made a grey shirt ..well Kelly Green? Not certain but that could be it.
Diane says
I had that happen too; I just re-washed. What I think it is, as this happened on a whites load and the first one I did, is that it is cleaning out the build-up gunk that is in the washing tub from all the fillers, from the saop I used to use; the area that you can’t see with out taking the washer completely apart. Just my humble opinion.
Karrie says
That very well could be Diane. 🙂 Great thought. So everyone make sure and do one load first with just the detergent inside and no clothes.
Angela says
I just wanted to say thanks for this! I’d been looking for a recipe that works, and this is definitely it. Better than Tide, and obviously way healthier.
I also wanted to add- I use it to mop my floors and its fantastic! I hate super sudsy mop water because its so hard to get off the floors, and I had been looking for an alternative. Couldn’t be happier. I use a tablespoon for a bucket of hot water. Could probably use less, but I’m happy with that ratio.
Karrie says
Wow, really? Mopping your floors? Awesome, I am going to have to try it too!
Angela says
Oh cool! Yeah, I’m a big fan 🙂
Rachelle Stropola says
I wish my steam mop could use this solution! hhhmmmm……you have me thinking about the possibility of dissolving a small amount of this and putting it on the pad to see what happens! It’s in my head now….I think I may go scrub the kitchen….LOL
Rachelle Stropola says
FAIL: I just tried it, will have to pass back with a clean cloth to re-steam the floor to get the film off…on the upside, it smelled fabulous…LOL
Dawn says
Mopping your floors with vinegar water works well. White vinegar is a cheap alternative to expensive Swiffer products. Also for the bathtub…warm up vinegar and a couple squirts of dishsoap in the microwave. Wipe down walls and fixtures with warm vinegar mix with wash cloth. All of soap scum will come off and shower will look brand new. It is amazing!!!….will never buy brand name bathroom cleaners again:) Using white vinegar gives everything a fresh, clean feeling and the smell quickly leaves.
Willette says
Amen…Vinegar is a wonder product. I use it for fabric softener, mopping, the floor is so clean feeling under my bare feet…lol… cleaning my bathtub and shower, cleaning my dishwasher and for soaking my feet when doing pedicures. Thanks for posting, Dawn. We can get by with so many less expensive products things if we will just make the effort. I make homemade washing detergent dry and liquid with a couple of recipes just to try them for comparison. If my towels are extra dirty, I use 1/4 cup of bleach mixed with a quart of water and pour in the washer with my homemade detergent. So far it works great.
Granny Beth says
The soap shavings didn’t mix well until I put them in a shallow pan and dusted borax over them, just enough to to make the shavings separatable. I also added essential oil for fragrance instead of fragrance crystals.
The recipe works great.
Liz. beasley says
How much oil do you put in, how does it work combining and storing with the liquid oil?
Angela says
Best part, it could cost less without the crystals!
I just add them to special loads (sheets, guest towels)
Line dry.. Save even more money!