How to Make Laundry Soap (Liquid Recipe)

Creating your own homemade laundry detergent is one of the easiest changes you can make when your starting to transition into a healthier home lifestyle. This laundry detergent is a great way to save money and is very simple to make. This homemade powdered laundry detergent soap uses the same ingredients as the liquid recipe below and addresses high efficiency (HE) washing machines and borax safety.

Why Switch to Natural Laundry Detergent?

Many store-bought brands contain chemicals, unwanted fragrances, phenols, and additives. Some contain petroleum distillates which are linked to cancer and lung disease. Fragrances in these detergents are made from a mix of harsh chemicals. To learn more about your household cleaning products and if they are safe, check out this blog post.

Making your own detergent is an easy process and you only need three ingredients.

DIY Liquid Laundry Soap Ingredients

Bar Soap- (Dr. Bonner’s is great)
Washing Soda- (Arm and Hammer Brand usually available in stores)
Borax- (20-Mule Team Borax is usually available in stores)

Washing soda and borax should be available at your local grocery store in the laundry isle. You can find natural bar soaps in the health and beauty section of the store or online.

Why These Ingredients?

Borax is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of sodium, boron, oxygen, and water. It is in most natural soaps that are available to purchase. There are some concerns about the safety and uses of Borax but, here is a more in dept explanation.

Washing soda, or sometimes called sodium carbonate or soda ash, is made from common salt and limestone or found as natural deposits.

Bonner’s bar soaps are made with vegetable castile soap and pure organic oils. They’re also available in different scents that are natural such as lavender, tea tree, mint, almond and others.

How to Make Liquid Laundry Soap

Grade one bar of soap with a cheese grater or food processor.
Place grated soap in a pan with 2 quarts water and gradually heat. Stir frequently until soap is completely dissolved.
Put 4.5 gallons of really hot tap water in a 5-gallon bucket. Stir in 2 cups of borax and 2 cups washing soda until completely dissolved.
Pour soap mixture from pan into the 5-gallon bucket. Stir well.
Cover and leave overnight.
Stir until smooth and pour into gallon glass air-tight jugs.

To Use:

Use ½ to 1 cup per load of laundry.

Don’t Want to Make Your Own Detergent?

There are other solutions and ways you can avoid making your own natural liquid laundry detergents that don’t contain any unwanted harsh chemicals. There are some good brands that’s are eco-friendly and work well.

2 tablespoons of Sal Suds plus ¼ cup baking soda or washing soda (highly effective and really simple)

Ecover Zero Laundry Detergent- Works well, relatively cost effective.
Emma Eco Me Detergent- cleans up to 64 loads for $12 and are well scented.
Planet Natural Detergent- cost effective at $9 for 32 loads.