Did you know it’s actually ridiculously easy to make your own Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent? You won’t believe how much money you’ll save!
Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent Recipe
Who knew making your own Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent could be SO easy?
Just a few simple ingredients, and you’ve got a fabulous laundry soap to clean your clothes for pennies!
Seriously, this one trick will save you SO much money!
Tonya writes: “I have been making this for years. I spend about $15 for a year for 5 of us and fur babies. We are always doing laundry. One 5 gallon bucket lasts about 3 months!”
This DIY Liquid Laundry Detergent is thrifty, simple to make, and works great!
Now you’ll never have to buy expensive laundry detergent at the store again!
Trust me… once you start making your own detergent, the savings are mind-blowing! It’s such a simple way to Save Money Fast!
Prefer powder detergent? No problem!
Simply use this Homemade Laundry Detergent Powder Recipe instead!
Then after you make your own homemade laundry soap, don’t forget to make some Homemade Fabric Softener, too!
So are you ready for this DIY Recipe for the best homemade liquid laundry detergent already?
Here’s what you’ll need to get started…
Related: 50 DIY Homemade Cleaners That Actually Work!
Why Make Your Own Laundry Detergent?
There are so many reasons why I love making my own laundry soap! Here are just a few…
> It’s easy to make!
> You’ll know exactly what ingredients are going into your laundry products.
> It will reduce packaging waste.
> You won’t run out often… each batch lasts a long time.
> If you want to stock up even more… just double the batch.
> It’s ridiculously frugal ~ you’ll save SO much money!
Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap Reviews
What Your Frugal Friends Are Saying About This DIY Laundry Soap Recipe…
Misty writes: “I wish I had discovered and known about this many years ago!! I could have saved so much money!!”
Tia writes: “I made my first batch and love how it cleans.”
Rose writes: “Just finished my first batch so making a 2nd time. Works great.”
Tonya writes: “I have been making this for years. I spend about $15 for a year for 5 of us and fur babies. We are always doing laundry. One 5 gallon bucket lasts about 3 months!”
Kristy writes: “I’ve been using this exact recipe for laundry detergent for almost a year now”
Kristen writes: “The Fels Naptha laundry soap bar is by far the best stain remover on clothes ever! It’s my secret ingredient for my messy children and it’s so cheap!
Wet clothing, rub bar on stain, rinse under cold water and repeat until it comes out. Then I toss in the wash! I invested in some nice clothes for my little ones so I invest a lot of time in keeping them nice 🙂 ”
Ingredients for Homemade Laundry Detergent
You’ll just need 3 simple ingredients to make your own liquid laundry detergent…
- 1/2 Cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (not Baking Soda)
- 1/2 Cup Borax
- 1/3 Bar of Fels-Naptha Soap (you could also use Ivory soap, but if using Ivory… use the whole bar.)
- Bucket (2 gallon size or larger)
- Empty laundry detergent containers or bucket with lid to store detergent.
- Funnel
How to Make Laundry Detergent at Home
Making this laundry detergent at home is easier than you might think.
Here’s what to do…
1. Grate 1/3 bar of Fels-Naptha Soap, then transfer to large stockpot.
2. Add 6 cups of Hot Water.
3. Heat on stove over Medium-High heat until soap dissolves and melts.
4. Once soap has melted, add Washing Soda & Borax, and stir until dissolved.
5. Then remove from heat and set aside.
6. Pour 4 cups Hot Water into large plastic bucket, then pour in Soap Mixture and stir well.
7. Then, add 1 Gallon + 6 Cups (22 cups total) of additional water, and stir again.
8. Transfer to empty laundry detergent containers using your funnel.
9. Allow detergent to sit overnight, or up to 24 hours, to thicken and gel up. Then it’s ready to use! Stir or shake before each use, as it will continue to gel.
Note: Consistency and color will vary depending on your soap & water ~ it may be lumpy and watery… kind of like a watery gel, but it works great!
How Much Laundry Soap To Use in the Washer
Keep in mind, the amount of laundry soap you’ll use depends on a variety of factors, including the size of your laundry load, how heavily soiled your clothing is, and the type of washing machine you’ll be using.
You’ll want to use more in upright machines, and slightly less in HE front loaders.
So wasn’t that easy?? Now you know how to make your own laundry detergent at home!
Bonus Tip: How to Make Washing Soda
No washing soda? No problem! Check out this simple tip from frugal friend Lynn…
Lynn writes: “Making your own washing soda saves even more money. Put a layer 1/2″ thick of baking soda in a half sheet pan, into preheated 400 degree oven.
Bake for 1 hour, stir 2 or 3 times in that hour, then cool and use as washing soda.
I always make mine as it is not always available.”
More Easy Cleaning Recipes
In addition to this easy recipe, I have even more ideas that will help you can save money on laundry and cleaning supplies.
So be sure to check out these tips to make sure you’re saving as much money as possible…
Homemade Laundry Detergent Powder Recipe
Do you prefer Powder Laundry Detergent? It’s so easy to make that, too!
Homemade Fabric Softener Recipe
This Homemade Fabric Softener with Vinegar and Hair Conditioner Recipe is about as easy as can be! You won’t believe how much money you’ll save!
DIY Wool Dryer Balls
I love my wool dryer balls. I can’t even imagine doing laundry without them!
DIY Wrinkle Releaser
You need to try this DIY Wrinkle Release Recipe that is both fast and frugal!!
Homemade Glass Cleaner Recipe
I’ve been using this Homemade Glass Cleaner for years and I love, love, love it! It’s so fast and easy to make, so frugal, and honestly works better than store bought glass cleaner!
Homemade 409 Recipe
Just a few simple ingredients, and you’re on your way to an effective and thrifty all-purpose cleaner!
DIY Foaming Dish Soap
You’ll love the simplicity of this ridiculously smart tip. Sometimes it’s shocking how easy it is to save money!!
How to Keep your Washing Machine Smelling Fresh
Keep the odors away with this easy Smelly Washing Machine Fix!
DIY Homemade Febreze
This DIY Homemade Febreze Recipe is such a cinch to make, and you’ll save SO much $$ with this simple little trick!
DIY Carpet Powder Freshener
We love using this DIY carpet powder on the carpets, what an effective and frugal way to make carpets smell fresh!
How to Make Your House Smell Good (HUGE List of Genius Hacks)
Nobody likes a stinky home. So skip the stink, and transform your home into a paradise of lovely fragrances with my easy hacks!
50 Homemade Cleaners Recipes That Work! (Surprisingly Easy)
Get ready for some serious savings with these simple DIY Homemade Cleaners Recipes and Tips!
How to Save Money Fast (20 Genius Tips to Save $2200 this Month!)
Are you wondering how to Save Money Fast? It’s easy when you start slashing expenses and adding these extra sources of income to your finances!
So have you tried making this Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent at home yet??
Leave a comment and share…
1/4 to 1/2 of the liquid is plenty….I have a large load washer.
For those who are wondering–One cup should be enough for a load.
If you notice that your towels tend to have that funky smell, cut down on your laundry soap, you’re using too much! Double rinse & use vinegar and that should remove the stink. I found out that’s what I was doing to my clothes – I use 1/4 cup in my front load HE washer.
I make my own detergent with a similar recipe, but I use Zote bar laundry soap. You can get that for about a dollar a bar at groceries that sell Mexican products. I mix it up in one of those big buckets that cat litter comes in. I generally use a whisk in the water before loading clothes in the washer, to make sure that any clumps of detergent are broken up.
Penny- We have sensitive skin at our house and I make the powdered version of this. I just use Dove Sensitive Skin Bar Soap instead of Fels Naptha and I haven’t had any problems. I never tried the Fels Naptha because I had trouble finding it.
I buy my washing soda at Ace Hardware (we also do not have Kroger’s & no they do not carry it at Wal-Mart).
Amber- how much dove do you use?
Washing Soda is usually found in the Laundry aisle next to 20 Mule Team Borax….I have used this & Ivory or Fels Naptha for close to 10 years…..I make 3-4 gallons at a time…I dissolve in a jar of Hot water…All my wash is cold water….I also use white vinegar, occasionally, never fabric softener…this is all pure enough to use watering your plants….
Peggy, have you noticed any issues with etching? I’ve read a few people have a problem with this. Do you use equal parts? Thanks!!
You can also use the Washing Soda and Borax, equal parts of each in the DISHWASHER!!!!! Also, use vinegar for the rinse agent.
I have noticed it may not clean as perfectly as the store-bought, but I can handle wiping out a bowl here and there knowing I am saving TONS of money!
Borax is NOT toxic. This has been gone around and around in various green living. 20 Mule Team Borax is NOT boric acid, naturally occurring and is environmentally friendly.
since everyone is speaking of vinegar and baking soda, I will give my cleaning tip. My childrens doctor said those 2 things were the only cleaners I needed in my house…kitchen, bathroom, stove, sink..you name it!
I use the powder version in an HE washer it works great, I use a formula scoop and put it in an old baby wipes container (about 1 tablespoon per load 2 if it’s heavily soiled or very large). It’s very hard to find the washing soda. Go to Arm & Hammer’s website and search by your zip code for stores. Nobody around me carries it (Fort Worth area) I’ve had to order it from websites before & alice.com usually has the best price.
I was just at our Walmart in Frisco, and they sell the washing soda…it was on a bottom shelf and I had to look forever for it! But I found it…it was under all the stain fighters and the fels naptha soap, on the lowest most obscure place possible!
I buy everything at my local Meijer, the washing soda and the borax are on the top shelf by the Oxiclean, but the fels-naptha is in another part of the laundry aisle on the bottom shelf. You literally have to look high and low for this stuff, they want your eye to go to the Tide and other uber expensive detergents they keep at eye level!
You should try a Walmart near you. I live in the area as well and have bought it at Kroger and Walmart. Walmart is cheaper tho.
try your farm goods stores. in my area its Rural King. they have all of the supplies you need right in the same area.
when I bought my HE washer I was told DO NOT use powder detergents…