Save Money By Making Your Own Laundry Detergent

Save Money by making your own laundry detergent! This recipe is easy, inexpensive, and non-toxic. Make it one day and it’s ready to use the next. This recipe makes 5 gallons of detergent and it will last you months!

I have been making my own laundry detergent for a while now, and I can truly say that I will never go back to the store bought versions. To be honest, before I started making this, money was extremely tight and we were trying to find as many ways as we could at the time to cut costs. I found this recipe online and decided to give it a try. It has been a game changer! It lasts forever and our clothes get just as clean if not cleaner than with our previous detergent. After I saw how economical this was, I also started making my own cleaning products like this DIY Multipurpose Cleaner.

Why Switch To Making Your Own Laundry Detergent?

It is Economical

This recipe for making your own laundry detergent will last you about 64 loads for top loading machines and a whopping 640 loads for HE or front loading machines! It’ll only cost you about $20 to make so if you do the math, that’s only about 31 cents per load with top loading machines and about 3 cents per load for HE or front load machines! Our previous detergent brand we were using cost about $20 for 128 loads which sounds more expensive when using a top loading machine however, you’ll have plenty of leftover borax and washing soda to continue to make several more 5 gallon buckets!

It Is Non-toxic

It is non-toxic and a detergent you can feel good about using. You will not believe all of the yucky crud that is in commercial laundry detergent these days. Let’s explore that for a moment shall we:

• Formaldehyde: Yes, the chemical they use to preserve dead bodies is also used as a preservative and antibacterial agent in store bought laundry soap. Formaldehyde is bad because it can irritate your eyes, lungs, and respiratory system. 
• Dyes: You know the pretty blue or green you see in laundry soaps? Those detergents are filled with artificial coloring and contain toxic chemicals that can cause cancer or other negative health effects. No thank you!
• Solvents: Solvents such as propylene glycol ethers and d-limonene are a threat to the health of humans and our environment. 
• Surfactants: Surfactants, such as sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES), can be used to help in the cleaning process. Some can be toxic to aquatic life and can cause skin irritation. 
• 1,4-Dioxane: This is a potential carcinogen. It is a type of solvent that is a byproduct of the manufacturing process of some surfactants.  
• Other potential toxins: Benzyl acetate, dichlorobenzene (P-dichlorobenzene / benzene), ammonium sulfate, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) are also potentially harmful ingredients. 

How Do I Make My Own Laundry Detergent?

You only need a few ingredients and supplies to make your own laundry detergent at home. I like to incorporate an infusion into mine for a fresh lavender scent but this is not required. Simply use plain water in place of the infusion.

What You’ll Need

• 5 Gallon Bucket with Lid
• Large Spoon for stirring
• Sauce pan
• Whisk
• 1 cup dried or fresh lavender blooms
• 1 Cup Borax
• 1 Cup Super Washing Soda
• 1 Bar of Fels Naptha or Castile Soap (5-6oz)

Making The Infusion (Optional)

You can of course skip this step but I highly encourage adding an infusion to your detergent! It makes your clothes smell so fresh and nice and it only adds a few minutes to your time.

• Boil 1 quart of water
• Once boiling, add in 1 cup of fresh lavender blooms, lemon balm, or other herbs of choice.
• Stir, turn heat to low, and let steep for at least 30 minutes. For a stronger smell, let sit overnight and use the next day.
• Strain the blooms from the liquid and your infusion is ready to use!

Make The Laundry Detergent

• Heat up 1 quart of water or infusion in a medium sauce pan. Once warm, grate the soap bar and add to the liquid. Stir and allow to dissolve fully.

• Meanwhile, fill the 5 gallon bucket halfway with hot water. Once the soap is dissolved, add the contents of the sauce pan into the bucket.

• Next, add in 1 cup of Super Washing Soda and 1 cup of Borax and give it a good stir.

• Fill the bucket the rest of the way with hot water and stir.

• Place the lid on the bucket and let rest for 24 hours.
• The next day, you might notice that the mixture has gelled (if using Fels Naptha). This is completely normal. Simply give it a really good stir or use an immersion blender to make smooth.

• Your laundry detergent is ready to use

How Much Detergent Do I Use Per Load?

For top loading machines, use 1/4 cup per load. For all HE machines and front loading machines, use 2 tbsps per load.

Tips For Success

The detergent will continue to gel up so I like to add to add mine to a half gallon jars with a lid. Before using, I shake it well to incorporate the ingredients better and to create a smoother consistency.

Now that I have shown you how to save money by making your own laundry detergent, I hope you feel inspired to go out and explore the possibilities of making your own household products! If you try this recipe, please let me know what you think! Happy Homemaking!