Homemade liquid laundry detergent that costs pennies per load here’s how to make it
Store-bought laundry detergent runs $0.20 to $0.30 per load, and with most households running multiple loads a week, those costs pile up fast. Switching to homemade liquid laundry detergent can cut that bill by more than half — and the ingredients are simple enough to keep on a pantry shelf.
“Our research showed nearly 50% of respondents claim to do seven loads of laundry or more per week,” Shawn Ashby, laundry manager at Whirlpool, said of a study conducted on behalf of the company. With that kind of volume, even small per-load savings translate to real money over a year.
How to make homemade laundry detergent
Before mixing anything, put on protective clothing — at minimum, gloves, glasses and a mask — to avoid skin or eye irritation from the ingredients.
The basic homemade laundry detergent recipe relies on three workhorses: bar soap, borax and washing soda. Most variations build from that foundation, adjusting ratios or swapping ingredients based on water type and personal preference.
Money Talks News founder Stacy Johnson shared her favorite recipe:
Ingredients: 1 bar of soap, 4 cups of boiling water, 3 gallons of water, 1 cup borax, ½ cup washing soda
- Step 1: Bring four cups of water to a boil
- Step 2: Grate the bar of soap with a cheese grater
- Step 3: Add the grated soap to the boiling water until it dissolves
- Step 4: Combine the dissolved soap water and three gallons of water into a bucket
- Step 5: Add one cup of borax and ½ cup of washing soda to the bucket
- Step 6: Stir the ingredients together until the mixture thickens
The Utah State University Cooperative Extension recommends a similar recipe for homemade clothes detergent, but uses two cups of grated bar soap, two cups of borax and two cups of washing soda. The main difference: combine the dissolved soap water, borax and washing soda first, then add two gallons of water instead of three.
Nashia Baker and Alexandra Kelly of MarthaStewart.com offer a slightly altered take.
Ingredients: 16 cups boiling water, 2 cups baking soda, 1 cup 3% hydrogen peroxide (plus 2 cups of water), 2 cups borax, 2 cups gentle dish soap, 50 drops essential oil
- Step 1: Add two cups of borax and two cups of baking soda to eight cups of boiling water
- Step 2: Dilute one cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide with two cups of water and add to mixture
- Step 3: Add two cups of dish soap and eight cups of boiling water to the mixture
- Step 4: Add about 50 drops of essential oil to the mixture once well dissolved
Some recipes lean more heavily on stain-fighting ingredients like peroxide, while others keep things simple and budget-friendly. From there, it comes down to what works best for your laundry routine, washing machine and household preferences.
Homemade laundry detergent recipe without borax
Borax is a divisive ingredient in green-cleaning circles. It’s a naturally occurring mineral, but the National Pesticide Information Center warns that it is corrosive to the eye and irritating to the skin.
The Environmental Working Group goes further: “We recommend that you not use the recipes that include borax, since it may pose health risks,” the EWG says.
If you’d rather skip it, this borax-free recipe for homemade clothes detergent from Bren-did.com is a solid alternative.
Ingredients: ⅔ cup super washing soda, 3 tablespoons baking soda, ½ cup liquid Castile soap, 5 cups boiling water
- Step 1: Bring the water to a boil
- Step 2: Combine two cups of water and ⅔ cups of super washing soda and stir until dissolved
- Step 3: Slowly add the baking soda and mix until you get a pudding-like consistency
- Step 4: Stir in the liquid Castile soap, followed by the remaining water
- Step 5: Cool to room temperature and mix well before using
For homes with hard water concerns, you can skip the baking soda and swap the liquid Castile soap for a half cup of Sal’s Suds.
FAQ about DIY laundry detergent
A few practical questions tend to come up once you’ve made your first batch — from how much to use per load to whether your washer’s warranty might be at risk. Here’s what to know before you start swapping out the store-bought stuff for good.
How much homemade laundry detergent should I use per load? Most recipes call for ½ to 1 cup per full load. If you have a high-efficiency (HE) machine, start with ¼ to ½ cup since these washers use less water.
How long does homemade liquid laundry detergent last? Store it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place and aim to use it within a few months. Liquid batches can separate or gel over time, so give it a good shake or stir before each use.
What are the drawbacks of using DIY laundry detergent? According to Sarah Armstrong, a new product brand manager at Maytag, “creating a DIY detergent may void the warranty on your appliance, as you run the potential risk of damaging your washing machine,” per Better Homes & Gardens.
Will homemade detergent work on tough stains? It handles everyday dirt and light stains well, but it lacks the enzymes found in commercial detergents that break down protein and grease stains like blood, grass and cooking oil.
Can I add fragrance to homemade laundry detergent? Yes — 20 to 50 drops of essential oil like lavender or tea tree work well. Add them after the mixture has cooled so the heat doesn’t break down the scent.
What’s the best container to store it in? A repurposed laundry detergent jug (after it cools) will work fine, but use a glass jar — a mason jar is fine — if you want to avoid plastic. Label it clearly, especially if you have kids or pets in the house, and keep it out of direct sunlight.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
