How to Make Laundry Soap (DIY Liquid or Powder Recipe)

Homemade laundry detergent is one of the easiest parts of the transition to a natural life. This natural laundry soap recipe is a great way to save money and is super easy to make. Dealing with piles of dirty laundry feels like less of a chore!

Do you have a HE machine? Check out this HE article covering high-efficiency washers and borax safety. The recipe is the same as below, but if you have any questions, be sure to check your washing machine manual before using new laundry soap.

Why switch to natural laundry soap?

Commercial detergents contain chemicals such as sulfates, fragrances, dyes, etc. Many brands contain products like petroleum distillates, which have been linked to cancer and lung disease. The fragrances in these detergents are made from a mixture of harmful chemicals. (This is also why I make my own linen spray.)

Luckily, making your own laundry soap is a quick and easy process! To make powdered or liquid laundry soap, you only need three basic ingredients. These ingredients can be purchased at most stores, including Walmart, Target, Amazon, and more.

DIY Laundry Soap Ingredients

You can usually find a box of borax and washing soda in the laundry aisle of your local grocery store. Sometimes I like to add a few tablespoons of baking soda to freshen up my clothes. Natural soaps are sold in the health, beauty, and organic sections of stores or online.

Wondering what’s in these ingredients?

Borax is a naturally occurring mineral made from sodium, boron, oxygen, and water. It’s present in most natural soaps available today, but it’s much cheaper to make your own laundry detergent at home. Some people are concerned about borax, but here’s why I feel comfortable using it, especially in the laundry room.

Washing soda or super washing soda (sodium carbonate) is made from common salt and limestone or found as natural deposits. Although it is different from baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), you can make washing soda using baking soda. Here are some other great uses for household soda cleaning:

Dr. Bronner’s soaps are fair trade and made with plant-based castile soap and pure organic essential oils. Some DIY laundry recipes call for Fels Naptha soap or Zote, but I’m not a fan of the stuff. Dr. After using Bronners for many years, I took this from Dr. I switched to Bronners. home made laundry soap In my DIY recipe.

these Resin Based Soap Flakes Products designed for DIY laundry detergents also work well.

How to Make Liquid Laundry Soap

1. Grate one bar of soap using a cheese grater or food processor.
2. Place the ground soap in a pan with 2 quarts of hot water and heat gently. Continue stirring until the soap is completely dissolved.
3. Add 4.5 gallons of very hot water to a 5 gallon bucket. These products are often available for free in the bakery at your grocery store. Please contact us. Add 2 cups of borax and 2 cups of washing soda and stir until completely dissolved.
4. Pour the soap mixture into a 5-gallon bucket and stir well.
5. Cover and leave overnight.
6. Shake or stir until smooth, then pour into a gallon jar or other container.
7. Use 1/2 to 1 cup per load.

Not only is it easy, but it also saves you money!

Notes on Soaps and Detergents

As mentioned above, there are chemical differences between soap and detergent. Conventional laundry detergents are specifically formulated for use in washing machines. It can also work in cold or hard water.

Many soaps are designed for skin use but are not very strong. Some sources suggest that natural soap can build up in your washing machine over time.

I have found that although this recipe works for me, it is not suitable for all water types and washing machine types. If you have ever used natural laundry soap and your clothes got dirty, this may be the cause. Newer HE Washers Top load washers, especially front load washers, are notorious for not keeping clothes as clean as older versions. You can also be a bit more fickle when it comes to what laundry soap you like.

I found one natural detergent that works great and can be used alone or with homemade laundry soap like this one. I add it often Dr. 2-3 tablespoons Bronners Sal Suds It is a natural detergent per use. Sal Suds eliminates odors and is still a natural product (technically it is a detergent/surfactant, not a soap). It also acts as a natural stain remover.

Don’t you want to make it?

I used to always make my own detergent, but now I usually buy natural brands because there are really healthy options. Some of my favorites are:

• truly free– This is a warning… After using this laundry soap, you might never want to go back to DIY. This is the best smelling non-toxic laundry detergent I’ve ever used and works well on tough stains and dirt. As with my favorite all-purpose vacuum cleaners, the eco-friendly approach is a huge bonus. The detergent comes concentrated in small refill packets that you just add to warm water in the bottle provided. You’re so smart!
• 2 tablespoons salsuz + 1/4 cup baking soda or washing soda (very effective and very simple!) You can also make dish soap at home using Sal Suds.
• Emma Ecome detergent – It gets good reviews from EWG and has a delicious scent.
• Planet Natural Detergent – Relatively environmentally friendly and cost-effective.

The most economical option is to make it yourself, but if you can’t or don’t want to make it, these natural alternatives are a good option.

Other Natural DIY Laundry Products and Tips

Try using vinegar instead of toxic fabric softener! Simply pour a cup of white vinegar during the rinse cycle or into your washing machine dispenser.

Some people report good results by adding Epsom salts to their washing machine during washing. It helps soften hard water and reduce soap build-up, making your clothes cleaner. Here are a few more DIY laundry recipes you can add to your laundry cabinet.

Have you ever made your own laundry detergent? How did it work for you?