Homemade Laundry Soap Recipe
I decided awhile back to try my hand at making our own homemade laundry soap. It’s cheaper than buying brand detergent and I know what’s going in it. Plus, it sort of makes me feel like Super Woman knowing that I can make my own!! 😉 I’ve tried a handful of recipes in smaller batches and I found one that I really like. I had always preferred liquid detergent and I’ve tried a homemade liquid detergent recipe BUT it didn’t clean the clothes nearly as well as the powder so this is what I’m sticking with! My husband is a welder and he has some pretty stinky and grimy work clothes and this detergent does a wonderful job! I’ve done the math and if I’ve figured correctly, it costs around $1 or so a batch which would give you 48 regular loads coming to about $0.02 per load.
WARNING: Make sure to keep all ingredients with your other cleaners – locked and away from children. Small kids like to imitate, so if they see you playing in it…they may try to play in it too.
NOTE: This detergent works perfectly in HE washing machines. From what I gather, powder detergents work better in  HE machines than liquid detergent. This is just what I’ve read on several other articles online.
Homemade Laundry Soap Ingredients:
All of these items can be found at your local grocery stores, Walmart, Target, etc.
NOTE: Previously, even when I made this post, I was using Ivory Bar Soap. I’ve found that I like Fels Naptha MUCH better! That’s why the photos below show white shaved bar soap instead of the yellow color of Fels Naptha.
- 1 bar of Fels Naptha, shaved (I use an old cheese grater)
- 1 Cup of Arm & Hammer Washing Soda Laundry Booster
- 1 Cup of 20 Mule Team Borax (in the laundry aisle)
 
This is a really simple process. First, just shave the bar soap, I just use an old cheese grater and grate it into a bowl. Then in the same bowl combine the soap with the borax and washing powder. Stir really well until it’s all combined and in a course powder. Try to break up any clumps.
Another thing that I suggest is adding your powder and bar shavings to a food processor to make the powder really super fine. Use 1 to 1 and a 1/2 Tbsp. for a regular load or 2 to 2 and 1/2 for larger or heavily soiled loads. Depending on your water softness, you may need to use more or less. Just find what amount works best for your clothes.
Store your powder detergent in an airtight container with a lid. I personally use an old diaper wipe container to keep mine in. You can also use a coffee can or old baby formula can with the lid.
I also add about a 1/2 to a whole cup of vinegar to my wash cycle as a fabric softener, plus it helps to brighten and whiten and take away any stinky smells in your clothes. It also helps to rinse any leftover residue from the powder on your clothes.
My friend, Alea from Premeditated Leftovers, also has some great laundry tips that you can check out. She mentions how to get rid of mildew, reducing night time allergies, and she has some great tried and true ways to organize, sort and put away your laundry!
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the chick behind this blog! I'm your ordinary, everyday wife and mom to an incredible pair of stinky guys! I am a self diagnosed coffee addict with a ginormous sweet tooth, preferably baked goods!! My hope is to help you, teach you, and entertain you on your way to a more thrifty and frugal lifestyle! Along the way, you'll find awesome recipes, great tips, and tons of randomness! We have loads of fun, so ya'll come back now, ya hear?!
Can you use this in new washing machines that require HE laundry detergents?
Hi Barbara – YES, this detergent is fine with HE machines because there are no sudsing agents in the ingredients. Powder detergent I’ve heard actually works best in HE machines. I also recommend using the vinegar in your machines. That helps to break down any powder residue and is great at getting rid of smells that linger in your clothing. Good luck and let me know how it goes!
I have been wanting to try my hand at this for awhile. What a perfect way to reuse wipe containers. I have a million of them all over the house.
i have used the liquid version in a front load HE machine for almost 2 years. 1 bucket lasted me a full year with a family of 6 and doing about 10 loads of laundry a week.
Hello Tracy,
Hope this post finds you well! I realize this is an old post, although if you receive a notice for my post I would love to have your recipe for your liquid laundry soap!! Thank you in advance!!
Marie
Love making my own soap too! This is the same recipe I use and it sure does work great! 🙂
Love DIY laundry soap! Thanks!!
Hope you enjoy it Dawn!
Since this has soap would it be high sudsing? I.E. not safe for HE washers? Also, I’m not sure if I can use Borax on cloth diapers…but might like to try on my regular clothes.
Jesica, this is an excellent detergent for HE washers because the Kirk’s doesn’t suds up. About the Borax, I’m not sure if it’s ok to use on cloth diapers. Good luck though and let us know if you use it!
Is vinegar safe to use in my “colors” load of laundry as a softener also?
Jess, I use vinegar in color laundry too. Never had a problem. I hate when I run out because I feel like my laundry isn’t as fresh when I don’t use it. Gotta pick up a bottle, just ran out this morning!
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How do you get it fine without a food processor?
Amelia, back when I used Ivory bar soap it got very fine just by stiring it up with a whisk or spoon. Now that I use Fels Naptha, it stays more chunkier which is perfectly alright because it all dissolves in the washer. To be honest, when I used Ivory – I’d notice fine white soap dots on my clothes after the wash before going into the dryer. Now – with Fels Naptha, I don’t see ANY fine particles even with it being in bigger chunks. Let us know how it goes!!!
I did actually try it yesterday, and you’re right, no leftover residue! And I love the smell. Thanks so much 🙂
Yay!! Thanks for coming back and telling us! Yeah, the Fels Naptha is great about dissolving. I love opening the lid on my canister, LOL cause I’m crazy over the smell of it! <3
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I read that if you are on a septic tank it is controversial to use borax. I don’t understand how this would differ much from commercial detergent, but what do you think?
Honestly Amber, I have no idea about that. We have a septic tank and never had any issues thus far. I’ve not heard anything before or looked up any information about it.
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