DIY Guide: Making Your Own Homemade Laundry Detergent

Creating your own laundry detergent at home is easier than you might think. With just a few basic ingredients, you can make effective cleaning solutions that cost a fraction of store-bought options while avoiding harsh chemicals. This guide walks you through how to make laundry detergent at home with simple recipes for both powder and liquid versions.

Benefits of Making Homemade Laundry Detergent

Learning how to make your own laundry detergent offers numerous advantages beyond just saving money. Homemade detergents typically contain fewer irritants and are gentler on sensitive skin. They also allow you to control exactly what goes into your cleaning products, avoiding potential allergens or environmental toxins.

Cost savings are significant too. Most DIY detergent recipes cost between $0.05 and $0.10 per load, compared to $0.20 to $0.40 for commercial options. Over a year of laundry, this can add up to savings of $100 or more for an average household.

Essential Ingredients for DIY Laundry Detergent

Before learning how to make homemade laundry detergent, gather these basic ingredients:

• Washing Soda (Sodium Carbonate): A water softener that helps remove dirt and stains. You can find information on where to buy washing soda if it's not available locally.
• Borax (Sodium Tetraborate): Enhances cleaning power and helps control odors.
• Bar Soap: Provides the cleansing action. Fels-Naptha, Castile soap, or Ivory are popular choices. Some DIY enthusiasts make their own soap specifically for laundry use.
• Optional Additives: Baking soda, OxiClean, or essential oils for scent and additional cleaning power.

How to Make Homemade Laundry Powder

If you're wondering how to make homemade laundry powder, this simple recipe yields about 5 pounds of detergent (approximately 80-100 loads):

Ingredients:

• 1 bar of soap (5 oz), grated
• 1 cup washing soda
• 1/2 cup borax
• 1/2 cup baking soda (optional)

Instructions:

1. Grate the bar soap using a cheese grater or food processor until finely shredded.
2. Mix the grated soap with washing soda, borax, and baking soda (if using).
3. Store in an airtight container.
4. Use 1-2 tablespoons per load (use more for heavily soiled laundry).

This powder works well in both standard and HE washing machines. For best results in cold water, dissolve the powder in hot water before adding to your wash.

As noted in this detailed guide on DIY laundry solutions, powder detergents typically have a longer shelf life than liquid versions.

Liquid Laundry Detergent Recipe

If you prefer liquid detergent, here's how to make laundry detergent at home in liquid form:

Ingredients:

• 1 bar of soap, grated
• 1 cup washing soda
• 1/2 cup borax
• 4 gallons of hot water

Instructions:

1. Grate the soap and add to a large pot with 4 cups of water.
2. Heat on low until soap dissolves completely.
3. Fill a 5-gallon bucket halfway with hot water.
4. Add the melted soap mixture, washing soda, and borax.
5. Stir well, then fill the bucket with additional hot water to about 1 inch from the top.
6. Cover and let sit overnight to thicken.
7. Stir before each use. Use 1/2 cup per load.

Many DIY enthusiasts who appreciate handcrafted products and natural materials find that making liquid detergent allows for better customization of cleaning strength and scent profiles.

Customizing Your Detergent with Scents

One advantage of learning how to make my own laundry detergent is the ability to customize scents. Add 15-20 drops of essential oils per batch for pleasant, natural fragrances. Popular options include:

• Lavender: Calming, great for bedding and pajamas
• Lemon or Orange: Bright, fresh scent with additional degreasing properties
• Tea Tree: Natural antimicrobial properties, good for gym clothes
• Eucalyptus: Refreshing scent that may help with congestion

Similar to techniques used in DIY body care products, essential oils should be added after the detergent has cooled to preserve their aromatic properties.

Storage Solutions for Homemade Detergents

Proper storage extends the life of your homemade detergent:

• Powder Detergent: Store in airtight glass or plastic containers in a cool, dry place. Mason jars or repurposed plastic containers work well.
• Liquid Detergent: Use clean, repurposed detergent bottles or gallon jugs. Label clearly with ingredients and usage instructions.

Many DIY enthusiasts who know how to make laundry detergent at home recommend proper labeling techniques to track when batches were made and which scent combinations were used.

Environmental Impact and Sustainability Benefits

Making your own laundry detergent reduces plastic packaging waste and decreases the release of synthetic chemicals into waterways. By learning how to make homemade laundry detergent, you're taking a meaningful step toward a more sustainable household.

The ingredients in homemade detergents are typically more biodegradable than many commercial options, which often contain optical brighteners, synthetic fragrances, and other additives that can persist in the environment.

Additionally, making detergent in bulk reduces packaging waste. Consider implementing other eco-friendly laundry practices like washing in cold water, line-drying when possible, and using wool dryer balls instead of dryer sheets to further reduce your environmental footprint.

By mastering how to make homemade laundry detergent, you join a growing community of conscious consumers taking practical steps toward more sustainable, health-conscious home care routines.