Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipes

I make a some of my own homemade cleaners, but I've never tried making my own laundry detergent at home. I know many people who do make it rather than buy it, and swear it's better than any commercially made soap. They would never change back to store bought laundry soaps. I gathered a couple of different recipes to share with you.

Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent Recipe #1

7.5 litres hot water
1 bar soap (grated)
2 cups baking soda

Directions:

• Melt the grated soap in a saucepan with enough hot water to cover it. 
• Heat on medium-low heat, stirring frequently until soap has melted.
• In a large pail, pour 7.5 litres of hot water and add the melted soap. Stir well.
• Next, add the baking soda, stirring well.
• Store in a sealed pail or in plastic laundry detergent jugs.
• Stir or shake soap mixture (depending on storage method) before each use.

Using the Soap: Use 1/2 cup per full load or 1 cup for heavy soiled loads

Approximate costs of supplies: $0.60 to $2.00 (plus electricity to heat the water)
- Bar Soap $0.10 to $0.50
- Baking Soda $0.50 to $1.50

Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent Recipe #2

2.5 litres hot water
5 litres cold water
1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 cup borax
1/3 bar soap (grated)

Directions:

• In a large pot, heat 1.5 litres of water. Add the grated soap and stir until melted. 
• Next, add the washing soda and borax. Stir until powder has dissolved and remove promptly from heat.
• In large clean pail, pour 1 litre of hot water and add the heated soap mixture. Add 5 litres of cold water and stir well.

Using the Soap: Use 1/2 cup per load, stirring soap before each use (mixture will gel)

Approximate Cost of Supplies: $1.18 to $1.92 (plus electricity to heat the water)
- Bar Soap $0.03 to $0.17
- Borax $0.55 to $0.75
- Washing Soda $0.60 to $1.00

Homemade Powder Laundry Detergent Recipe

8 cups baking soda
8 cups bar soap (grated)

12 cups borax

8 cups washing soda

Directions:

• Mix all ingredients well and store in a sealed tub.
• Use 1/8 cup of powder per full load.

Helpful Tips:

• use bar soaps such as Ivory, Sunlight and avoid heavily perfumed soaps
• washing soda and borax can be found in the cleaning/laundry aisle
• recipes can be adjusted to suit your needs, experiment
• make larger batches in pails and then transfer to laundry bottles for storage (ask a friend or neighbour for their empty bottles) then just shake it before using
• hardware store carry 5 gallon pails for $4-6, watch for a sale or store coupon

There's many variations for homemade laundry detergent. If you have a recipe that works for you, please share with us by commenting below. We love to hear from our readers.