Easy, Natural Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent Recipe
This DIY Laundry Detergent made with liquid castile soap is SO cheap & easy to make with just a few natural ingredients. It's the perfect non-toxic alternative to store-bought detergent!
Servings: 1 gallon
Equipment
- gallon jar or 5-gallon bucket
- large spoon
- (optional) liquid laundry soap dispenser jar
- (optional) funnel
Ingredients
- 1 cup of washing soda sodium carbonate
- 1 cup of borax
- 1 cup liquid castile soap
- 13 cups of water
Instructions
- FOR MAKING ONE GALLON
- Heat 6 cups of water to a low boil on the stove.
- Add the liquid castile soap, washing soda, and borax to a gallon container.
- Pour the boiling water into the container with the other ingredients and stir until everything is dissolved.
- Top the container off with 7 cups of water (doesn't have to be boiling, cold water from the tap is fine) or until it is nearly full. At this point, the laundry detergent will be a clear liquid and yellowish in color.
- Place a lid on the container, give it a few good shakes to make sure everything is dissolved, set it aside, and wait 24 hours for it to gel before using. Once gelled, the laundry detergent should be an even consistency and white.
- Store as is or in a glass bottle with a dispenser like pictured below. Use 1/4 cup per load of laundry.
- FOR MAKING 4X IN A 5-GALLON BUCKET
- Heat 24 cups of water (1.5 gallons) to a low boil on the stove.
- Add 4 cups liquid castile soap, 4 cups washing soda, and 4 cups borax to a 5-gallon bucket.
- Pour the boiling water into the bucket with the other ingredients and stir until everything is dissolved.
- Top the container off with 28 cups (1.75 gallons) of water (doesn't have to be boiling, cold water from the tap is fine). The bucket will not be totally full, there will be room to dip a big spoon or scoop in and stir without it overflowing. At this point, the laundry detergent will be a clear liquid and yellowish in color.
- Place a lid on the container, give it a few good shakes to make sure everything is dissolved, set it aside, and wait 24 hours for it to gel before using. Once gelled, the laundry detergent should be an even consistency and white.
- Store as is or in a glass bottle with a dispenser like pictured below. Use 1/4 cup per load of laundry.
Notes
- Wait a couple of days before you use your liquid laundry soap because it will gel over time.
- This recipe shouldn't separate or get too clumpy, but if it does just give the bottle a good shake and it should be good to go.
- If you want to scent your laundry detergent, you can add essential oil or herbal infusion. Lavender essential oils are a popular option. Just add a few drops of your favorite essential oils to the container with the castile soap and dry ingredients before adding any water.
- If you're skeptical about the efficacy of homemade detergent, just make a single batch for your first batch. Then, if you like it you can make a big batch.