How to Make Your Own Laundry Detergent

I finally got down to the last bit of my store-bought laundry detergent. I was determined to make my own since I'm trying to help with the budget and this detergent is more "green" and less chemicals. =) My husband gets kind of a allergic reaction from some detergents so I have to buy the ones that have no dyes or perfumes or he gets really itchy. =/ I figured I couldn't go wrong with this 'natural' laundry detergent. 


The original recipe I found from here: planetgreen.discovery.com. First off, it mentions that if you want a good smell to your laundry detergent you can get essential oils...may I warn you if you get a soap that already has a scent you will not need to add the extra cost of essential oils. Of course, if you get an unscented bar you could buy the essential oils of your choice...you can find them at your local organic store; even online has a great selection and usually for a good price. They can get pricey. 


I would also read up on the essential oil that you want to use. Each essential oil has a "specific" use. Some are anti-fungal, some are antibacterial, some are just for a calming effect, so I would definitely read up on your favorite scents. Most of the brand name soaps have naturally scented bars of soap, so it's basically just preference.


Another tip, make sure you have a large enough container to hold all your detergent....I miscalculated and didn't have a big enough container to make the detergent or store it. You want to have a huge pot to mix your detergent in and then I would suggest a 5 gallon bucket or even one of those 3 gallon water jugs like this one:

You want to be able to shake your detergent or stir it before each use.

Liquid Detergent

1 quart water (boiling)
2 cups bar soap (grated)
2 cups borax
2 cups washing soda

1. Add finely grated bar soap to the boiling water and stir until soap is melted. You can keep on low heat until soap is melted. (I thought grating your soap would be hard, but it actually wasn't. I would also buy a cheap grater and only use it for making your detergent...not for food use)

2. Pour the soap water into a large, clean pail and add the borax and washing soda. Stir well until all is dissolved. (I kept it in the same pot that I boiled the water in...it turned out fine...and it saves you from having to get another pot 'dirty'...make sure you keep stirring as you continue to add ingredients)

3. Add 2 gallons of water, stir until well mixed. (it will have somewhat of clumps on the top, just mix as well as possible and don't worry about the clumps...once it cools it will gel and you won't see the clumps anymore)

4. Use a covered pail for detergent. You'll need 1/4 cup for each load of laundry. Once it's cool, add 5 - 7 drops of your favorite essential oil per gallon (optional). Stir the soap each time you use it (it will gel).

Powdered Detergent (for those of you who don't want to do extra work)  =)

2 cups finely grated soap
1 cup washing soda
1 cup borax

1. Mix well and store in an airtight plastic container.

2. Use 2 tablespoons per full load.

you can find both of these at your local grocery store...I was not able to find Super Washing Soda at Walmart

I think picking out the soap is the hardest part about this recipe. =) My niece would know, she was standing in the aisle at Walmart with me telling me to 'just pick one'. Glad I didn't buy the one she picked...it smelled awful! I picked all natural Dial...it was pre-scented...we'll see how Branson handles this or if he even sees a difference.

Don't lose count! =) Tashia (my niece and usually my partner in crime) helped me make it...losing count was our biggest problem of mixing everything...we kept forgetting what number we were on. =) It all worked out in the end. =)

This is what I ended up with...Branson wasn't thrilled that I used our drinking pitchers =)....but these are just temporary until I get a big container to store it in...Plus, he said it looked like milk and it was a good thing he didn't try to drink it or I would have been in trouble. =) haahaa! He wants me to label it 'Not Milk" haahaahaa!!

There you have it! Have fun making you're own detergent...if you have any of your own tips...I'm always open for improvement! =)