Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe

Make your own homemade laundry soap - easy, economical and fun!

Homemade laundry soap cleans just as effectively, and so far I haven't heard of anyone having an allergic reaction to the natural laundry recipes. That said, if you're extremely sensitive, you could make them without the essential oils.

My mom uses the liquid laundry detergent recipe below to soak stains out of her tea towels. She just leaves them to soak in the detergent for about a week, and she says they come up beautifully, with no wear and tear on the fabric. Give it a try!

Liquid Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 cups hot boiled Water
• 1 natural Soap Bar (see the directions below for tips)
• 1 cup Washing Soda
• 1/4 cup Borax
• 30 drops Lavender essential oil
• 30 drops Lemon essential oil
• 30 drops Grapefruit OR Clove essential oil

Directions

1. Grate the soap bar using the coarse side of your cheese grater. I buy clear vegetable glycerin or olive oil soap bars from my local bulk food store, and many web sources suggest using Fels Naptha or Ivory soap.


2. Combine the soap flakes and hot water in a large saucepan. Stir over a medium-low heat until the soap is melted.


3. Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of very hot water. Add the melted soap mixture, the washing soda and the borax. Stir until all the powder is dissolved.


4. Fill the bucket up to the top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.


What If It's Really Lumpy?

I just made a batch with a new laundry soap bar and my homemade laundry soap came out really thick and lumpy.

I tried mushing it with a spoon, then with my potato masher, and then finally I just put my hands in and squished away the lumps.

It was surprisingly fun, and I'd definitely recommend making it with your kids. It's a great alternative to squishing around in mud!

5. Next morning, stir the essential oils into the laundry soap mixture.


6. Transfer your homemade laundry detergent to a bunch of clean used laundry jugs.


7. To use: Shake the bottle before each use to dissolve any lumps of gel that might have formed while it was sitting. Use 1 cup per load for top-load washing machines, and half a cup for front-load washers.

Note: Washing soda is made from Sodium Carbonate and is not the same ingredient as baking soda. You can usually find washing soda in the laundry area of your grocery or department store (I got mine at Walmart) or ask for it at a pool store. It will be in the water softeners section. You can also buy washing soda online at Amazon.com

Buying Homemade Laundry Detergent Ingredients

Grapefruit essential oil

Lavender essential oil

Lemon essential oil

Borax

Powdered Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups Soap Flakes (see directions below for making soap flakes)
• 1 cup Washing Soda
• 1 cup Borax
• 20 drops Lemon OR Clove essential oil
• 20 drops Lavender essential oil

Directions

1. To make soap flakes, grate a bar of unscented natural soap using the fine side of your cheese grater. I buy clear vegetable glycerin or olive oil soap bars from my local bulk food store, and many web sources suggest using Ivory soap.

   Update: I'm tired of spending so much effort on making soap flakes. I've decided it's worth a little extra cost to save myself the time and aggravation it takes to grate up the soap bars. If you're feeling the same way, here's a link for buying soap flakes. Your arms will thank you!



2. Combine all the ingredients in a large airtight container. Stir to combine (or just put the lid on and shake vigorously.)


3. Use 2 tablespoons homemade laundry detergent per load.

Buy Soap Nuts

Try Soap Nuts!

Soap nuts contain natural detergents called Saponins. The soap nut shell absorbs water and releases the saponins, which circulate as natural cleansers in the wash water, releasing dirt, grime, and oils from clothing.

There will be almost no bubbles during the wash cycle, and it will smell a bit like apple cider. The soap nuts can be re-used several times (3 to 5 loads) and then composted. They will look mushy and grey when they need to be changed.

Mountain Rose posted a soap nut laundry detergent recipe in their newsletter. Check it out! Then click here to buy soap nuts.

Vinegar - the New Fabric Softener

• Softens fabric
• Removes detergent residue
• Helps stop colors from fading
• Deodorizes smelly clothes

Caution:

In fact, why not switch to Oxygen Bleach - it's gentler on fabrics and more environmentally friendly. Plus, your clothes won't smell like a swimming pool!

What Next?

Aromatherapy Recipes Homepage from Homemade Laundry Detergent