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
Sugarjo62 says
I have my first load of wash in right now!! Never been so excited over laundry before, lol!
Mixing up a batch of this was fun…I think next time I will hit up the dollar store for knock offs …probably save even more money.
Thanks!!!
Charlene says
Having the most excellent laugh at your completely unrealistic prices. Oxy-clean here starts at $13.99 for the generic. I mean, come on: Tide is cheaper than that!
Karrie says
Girl, you can get generic oxy-clean at the dollar store…for a dollar. That is if you have a dollar store nearby. If you are out in the boonies though, yeah…it could be expensive.
Mechelle says
Her prices were pretty spot on with mine. the oxyclean brand was a bit higher so I went with the sun brand oxy clean and it was 5.25 for a 6 lb bucket so I will be able to use that for 3 batches.
David says
I just made a batch of homemade soap that was very similiar to this recipe. I used a 3lb tub of oxyclean, omitted the purex crystals, and used 1 bar of “Zote” soap instead of the FN. I did 3 loads of laundry this weekend using 1 Tb/load, and everything came out clean and fresh. I can’t wait to share some of my detergent with friends and family.
As for prices, I spent $12 on the washing soda, baking soda, Zote bar, and borax. I had an 11lb box of OxyClean that I had already bought from Sam’s, which cost about $15. So for 3lbs that would be a little over $4. So for the whole batch, it was about $15 without the Purex crystals (I might go back and add those. Never used them, but an extra punch of scent might be nice)
David says
I just wanted to give an update regarding my experience with the homemade laundry detergent….it’s AWESOME! We use it for every load (gentle, darks, lights, towels, jeans, etc) and everything has come out great! We have two girls (3.5yrs and 1.5yrs) and they can create some messes too, but no match for this detergent!
I’ve given some of mine away to friends/family and I’ve had to share my/Karrie’s recipe so they can make their own. I’ve been using it since August, and I still have a ton left! This is such a money saver, and it’s so easy to make, I can’t believe people still buy traditional laundry detergent!
Evelyn says
I’d like to know what brand and capacity of food processor to use. I have never owned a fp and don’t know what kind would be best for grinding soap bars. I’ve looked at lots of reviews of all kinds and all prices of fp and I don’t know which ones are best. Thanks for advice on this.
My daughter and I have made this recipe twice but hand grated the bars of soap. Great recipe. We will always use this for our laundry soap.
Jennifer says
Evelyn, I used my blender after I grate the soap.
Kristy says
I’ve been making my own laundry detergent for a couple months now (a different recipe). I’m curious why you add the baking soda? We don’t have washing soda in my local grocery store so I make my own (baking soda baked in a 400 degree oven for an hour) so the 1/4 cup baking soda seems redundant so I was just wondering what the baking soda does for it that the washing soda doesn’t. I will have to try adding the scent boosters to my recipe, though I have to admit I love the smell even without those 🙂
Victor says
How Long Do I Microwave Bar of Soap?
Karrie says
If you are using Ivory, just microwave until it’s all big and puffed up. Then stop. It shouldn’t take long. You don’t want to burn it so just watch it. If you are microwaving the fEls – it takes a bit longer, so still watch it closely till its all big and puffy.
caesar says
using borax is forbidden on Europe due to its long term poisonous properties, i guess simple soap , washing soda and essential oil works fine for any kind of dirt.
Ella F. says
Just made my 1st batch! Can’t wait to see the results.
Thanks,Ella
Karrie says
Congratulations Ella! Let me know how it goes!
Lauren B. says
I would love to try this, especially after all the awesome feedback…however, I have one concern, my daughter has extremely sensitive skin and breaks out in a rash with any kind of detergent that is not free and clear, would this be okay to use for her if I omit the scent crystals?? Thanks so much, I appreciate any feedback!!
Lindsay Harris says
I am wondering the same! I can only buy the free and clear which means I can’t buy the cheaper brands. Does this make anyone itchy?
Karrie says
I haven’t noticed any itchy-ness and we use free and clear on our clothes too. You shouldn’t even be left with too much shampoo in the carpets when you are done, the machine is supposed to rinse it out.
Jeanne Tatro says
Try putting vinegar in a downey ball. Eventually it may wear the rubber gasket. Get a new one. Cheap enough. Soft, soft clothes that smell great!
Kassiah says
This is the exact recipe that I use (except I omit the crystals) and I love it so much. I have kids who play soccer, football, and cheer, and it all comes out clean.
I microwave the Fels-Naptha bars first and let them puff up. Then after they’re cool, I grate them with a grater. I guess I need a foot processor LOL
Cecilea says
I am in absolute LOVE with this Homeade Laundry Detergent! I have 4 kids, 2 boys & 2 girls, plus a husband that goes to the gym before work in the morning everday before work (i.e. those sweaty clothes sit in a bag in the trunk in Florida all day… just imagine the smell). I had tried several others that just didn’t cut it when it came to getting everything clean without leaving the clothes looking dingy and grey after a while, or getting rid of the odors. I would always revert back to Tide since that seemed to be the only thing that would work. I’m also super obsessive about my whites being WHITE (yes I still used Clorox bleach for my whites before this). For those of you that may have had some “issues” here are some things I have done and NEVER have an issue. I have been using this for about 4 months for my family of 6 and am not quite half way thru my first batch! Love that!
First, make sure you run it thru the food processer to get the soap shavings down to a powder. This is key especially if you wash in cold or warm water since the soap needs to disolve to do it’s work. I wash everything but my whites in cold water with great success.
Before you use this detergent for the first time wash your washing machine. I’m serious… I learned the hard way. The detergent is so great that it will also break up all the crud that has built up over time on the inside of your washer, and it will end up on your clothes. Fill your washer on the largest load with HOT water put 2TBS of deteregent in you washer with 1-2 old towels let it sit overnight, then run the cycle as normal. Done… no more brown spots deposited onto you clothes.
For stains, I just keep an extra bar of Fels Naptha soap nearby. Dampen the stain with water rub it with the bar of soap. Throw into the wash. There is nothing that I haven’t been able to get out this way… dirt, grass, spaghetti sauce, marker and pen, makeup, baby food, spit up, ect
For whites( remember I’m obsessed with this… socks must be white on the bottom, t-shirts can not have stains, towels must be crisp. Once they stain or turn “gray” they get thrown away or cut up and put into the cleaning or “paper towel” basket (I cut up old white T’s and keep them in a basket under the kitchen sink to use as “paper towels”. They easily wash for reuse and when they get gross I just throw them away) I wash whites in WARM water with 2TBS of detergent + an extra scoop of Oxi-Clean (scoop to the 1 line). I let them soak for about an hour (I’ve even left them over night). Pre-treat if needed. Beautiful everytime!
I usually line dry my clothes as well, and this detergent is great! My clothes are soft even line dried now… never thought I would say that haha! Even the towels are less scratchy and stiff since I started using this detergent. I believe the main reason for this is the lack of residue and soap left on the clothes at the end of the wash. I do use an additional liquid fabric softener when I line dry, but not if I use the dryer. I have also been able to cut the fabric softener back to the 1 line and get great results (That’s 1/4 of what I used to use)! The water here in Florida is so hard that for my personal preference I just want that little extra softness, but you could totally get away with not using it.
Thank you so much Karrie for sharing this with all of us! The only regret I have is not finding this sooner!
Karen Rodriguez says
I made this recipe in March and it lasted my family of six (that’s a LOT of laundry) almost five months! My husband is a Police Officer who works outside…sweating in his bullet proof vest all summer long…this stuff knocks the odors right out. Not to mention the four dirty, messy children. Works great! Even gets out stains! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!!
Connie says
Le this recipe and I added the Home made fabric softner all without the scent and the clothes come out sooo fresh smelling ad soft and no static cling!!
Caroline says
Anybody know where I can get washing soda in Canada?
Caroline says
Or what I can use instead?
Karrie says
Hi Caroline, I think for washing soda you just take baking soda and pour it on a cookie sheet. Then bake it at 400 degrees for 1 hour. Let it cool and you have washing soda! 🙂
Caroline says
Thanks for replying! I have never heard of that! I’ll have to give it a try 🙂
Jeanne Tatro says
Caroline, go to the walmart website and see if they sell it there. In New York, USA I can do a ship to store delivery for free.
Vickie says
I have never seen the soap recommended, so I think I will try the ivory. But is it the ivory bath soap bar?
I can’t wait to try this detergent, my husbands uniforms have that sour/ sewaty smell and I HAVE to get rid of it!
Karrie says
Yes, it’s the Ivory bar soap people have used.
Caroline says
I looked at WalMart & SuperStore (Moncton, NB) and can’t find the Super Washing Soda. Is it hiding in a different department or can I only find it at a certain store?
Melissa says
Just made the recipe and am washing the towels in it. We used 3 bars if grated ivory bars, not many suds and am wondering if others encountered that. We bought the 3lb oxyclean as it was cheaper and just weighed out 1/2. The lavender Purex crystals is very nice.
heather says
Hi, i had a question about the fels naptha. I did some research and apparently it’s not very good for the environment or for your septic tank. It’s bad for aquatic life. I wanted to try Dr. Bronner’s lavender soap (especially for that lavender scent). Do you think this would work if I used the same ratio as the fels naptha? Thank you.
red says
With all of the great reviews on this recipe I decided to give it a try. I went directly by the recipe given and I have to say that it doesn’t live up to the reviews. For normal washing it does good, but any soiled clothing does not come clean. My work clothes I have to generally rewash them in Tide to get them clean. If you use this recipe, have a bottle of Tide on hand.
Lindsay says
I really like this recipe! I figured the worst that can happen is it doesn’t work and I’m out $20 (or so) and have to rewash a load. I’m trying to stay away from using scented things which is another issue in itself..that takes some getting used to. About the detergent: I used Ivory instead of the Fels Naptha (I was not a fan of the smell) and did not add any of the Purex Crystals for scent. I grated the soap then added Borax while food processing as recommended and that was well worth the extra step due to the moisture in the soap. The hardest part about using this detergent is only using 1-2 TB. I have a complete mental block about it for no reason–it works great only using that amount but it just SEEMS wrong. It cleans perfectly with the small amount. I will definitely make this again…in a year when I run out 😉
Karrie says
I know what you mean Lindsay, it is hard to get used to only using a tiny amount. 🙂 So glad you tried it and enjoy using it!