Simple Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe

I’m always looking for ways to save money AND be a little nicer to the environment. Many times, these two concepts go well together. A few years ago, I took a good look at the products I was using, both for personal care and house cleaning, and did a bit of research to figure out how I could eliminate or at least reduce the harmful chemicals present in many of the products. I found that the greatest money savings came from making household cleaning products myself. This was a major find, because household cleaners often contain more toxic chemicals than any other product in the home, and are generally very expensive. I found that simple ingredients like salt, white vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda, and borax clean just as well if not better than the chemically-laden products I had been using, and are a lot kinder to the wallet.

Why Use A DIY Laundry Detergent?

People may choose to make DIY laundry detergent for several reasons:

1. Cost Savings: Homemade laundry detergent recipes often use simple and inexpensive ingredients, potentially leading to cost savings compared to commercial laundry detergents.
2. Control Over Ingredients: Homemade recipes allow individuals to have more control over the ingredients used. This is especially important for those with allergies or sensitivities to certain chemicals found in commercial detergents.
3. Reduced Chemical Exposure: Homemade detergents often contain fewer harsh chemicals and additives, making them a preferable choice for those looking to reduce their exposure to potentially harmful substances.
4. Customization: Homemade detergent recipes can be customized to suit individual preferences. Users can adjust the scent, consistency, and ingredients to meet their specific needs and preferences.
5. Eco-Friendly Options: Some homemade detergent recipes use ingredients that are considered more environmentally friendly. This can include biodegradable ingredients and those with lower environmental impact compared to some commercial alternatives.
6. DIY Satisfaction: Making your own laundry detergent can be a satisfying and rewarding DIY project. Some people enjoy the process of creating household products from scratch.
7. Minimal Packaging Waste: Homemade detergent can help reduce packaging waste associated with store-bought products. Individuals can use reusable containers for their homemade detergent, cutting down on single-use plastic.
8. Avoiding Additives: Commercial laundry detergents often contain fragrances, brighteners, and other additives. Some people prefer to avoid these additives due to concerns about skin sensitivity or allergies.

It’s important to note that while homemade laundry detergent can be a viable option for some, it may not be suitable for everyone or every type of laundry load. Some fabrics and washing machines may require specific types of detergents. Additionally, homemade detergents may not always provide the same level of stain removal or whitening as commercial options.

Natural Laundry Detergent Recipe

What I consider to be my biggest “score” when doing research was finding a simple, homemade recipe for laundry detergent. This simple 4 ingredient laundry detergent recipe will result in a dry powder laundry detergent that you can add the drum of your washing machine. However, if you prefer a liquid laundry detergent I will provide some additional steps to transform it into liquid detergent.

Homemade Laundry Detergent Ingredients:

Many recipes called for the same basic ingredients: borax, washing soda, and bar soap. I’ve experimented with different bar soaps, and found that I like using Kirk’s Castile Soap because it cleans well and is made with coconut oil, is hypoallergenic and biodegradable. I’ve also had good luck using Fels Naptha Laundry Bar and Stain Remover (affiliate link) in place of Castile soap for stains. It is less expensive but not as eco-friendly. I decided to add a few drops of essential oil to my recipe. I like peppermint oil and lavender oil for the scent. Give this recipe a try, and watch your savings add up!

• 1 cup Borax
• 1 cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda
• one bar Kirk’s Castile Soap
• 10 drops of essential oil

How To Make Laundry Detergent

Start by chopping up the bar of Castile soap with a sharp knife before placing it in a food processor. This will make it easier for the food processor to finish chopping.

Blend the soap in the food processor until it is a fine powder. If you don’t have a food processor, you can grate the bar of soap using a cheese grater.

Then add the borax and washing soda and blend thoroughly. Add five drops of lavender essential oil and 5 drops of peppermint essential oil for scent, if you choose. I just love these natural fragrances. Blend again.

The detergent will now be a dry powder. Pour it into a jar and use one tablespoon for each load of laundry or two tablespoons for large loads. If you have a high efficiency front loader, put the powder into the drum after the clothes. Or the liquid version of this recipe below may be a better option for you.

Directions For Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent

1. In a large saucepan, add the grated soap and cover it with 4 cups of water. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the soap is completely melted.
2. In a separate container, mix the washing soda and borax.
3. Fill a large bucket or container with 2.5 gallons (about 10 liters) of hot water.
4. Add the melted soap mixture to the hot water in the bucket and stir well.
5. Stir in the washing soda and borax mixture until everything is dissolved.
6. Optional: Add a few drops of your preferred essential oils for fragrance. Stir well.
7. Let the mixture sit for 24 hours to allow it to thicken.
8. After 24 hours, stir the mixture again. It may have a gel-like consistency.
9. Transfer the detergent into containers for storage. You can use empty laundry detergent bottles or other containers with lids.
10. Use approximately 1/4 to 1/2 cup of detergent per load, depending on the size of your load and washing machine.
11. It’s normal for it to separate, so shake or stir before each use.

Before switching to a homemade laundry detergent, it’s advisable to research and test the recipe to ensure compatibility with your laundry need, sensitive skin, and the type of washing machine you have.

Contemporary Laundry Room by Palo Alto General Contractors Pete Moffat Construction via Houzz

Eco-Friendly Laundry Tips

Eco-friendly laundry tips can be easy to implement, good for the earth, and help you save money too! Here are some tips to help you achieve a more sustainable laundry routine.

Reduce Energy and Water Use

According to the EPA, washing and drying your laundry is one of the most energy- and water-intensive chores in the home. And with as many loads of laundry as we all do each year, you can quickly see how important it is to adopt eco-friendly laundry tips.

Of course, having energy star appliances is one great way to reduce energy use. However, if you can’t get them yet, or if you already have energy star appliances, you can also reduce energy use by washing your laundry in cold water. Washing clothes in cold water instead of hot or warm water can significantly reduce energy consumption. The majority of the energy used in washing machines goes towards heating the water. This is such a simple eco-friendly laundry tip but it makes a huge difference. 

Using cold water also saves you money. The Christian Science Monitor suggests that washing in hot water and rinsing in warm costs 68 cents per load while washing in cold costs only 4 cents per load. The EPA says that the average American Family does 400 loads of laundry a year so making the switch to cold water could save $256 per year!

Another way to reduce energy and water use is to run your laundry appliances only when full.  Less loads equals saving for your wallet too!

Air-drying your clothes is one of the most energy-efficient ways to dry them. If weather permits, use a clothesline or drying rack instead of a dryer. This not only saves energy but also helps extend the life of your clothing. Use a clothes line to save even more energy and money. Drying your clothing on a line is back in style!

Make or Purchase Eco-Friendly Laundry Products

Another simple way to green your laundry and care for our water health as well as our own health is to use eco-friendly products.  Here are some eco-friendly laundry tips to keep in mind when buying laundry products:

• Choose eco-friendly laundry products with minimal packaging.
• Buy biodegradable, eco-friendly laundry products in bulk and/or in concentrated form.

From bleach alternatives to natural stain removers to soap nuts to natural, botanical laundry detergents to wool drying balls, you can find lots of great eco-friendly laundry products to choose from.  Use laundry accessories that are sustainably resourced. For example, naturally made laundry baskets, recycled cardboard hangers, and recycled rubber washing machine vibration pads. 

Conclusion

Whether you make your own laundry detergent with the simple, homemade laundry detergent recipe, or implementing these eco-friendly laundry tips, there are lots of ways to lessen your impact on the environment.

This homemade laundry detergent recipe is so simple to make and the best thing about it is, a little goes a long way. You will notice the savings immediately! Have you tried making your own laundry detergent? Do you have a favorite recipe? Share in the comments!

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