Make Your Own Laundry Detergent

Okay I'll admit I was really hesitant to make my own laundry detergent I was convinced it wouldn't work but for the first time ever (okay maybe second) I was wrong! (Shhhh don't tell my husband he thinks I'm always right hahaha) Anyway I have been using this for about 2 months now and I will not go back to buying detergent ever! First of all I bought all of the ingredients for under $7 which will make about 6 gallons of laundry soap! Continue Reading for the directions.

Here's what you need:

1 Bar of Fels-Naptha Soap (prior to trying this I had never heard of it, I was convinced I'd have to order this online but to my surprise they sold it at Wal-Mart!)

Borax - I also found this at Wal-Mart in the laundry detergent aisle, right next to the soap! 

Washing Soda - Not to be confused with Baking Soda. This I also found at Wal-Mart right next to the Borax and Fels-Naptha. (Almost too easy for stuff I was convinced they wouldn't have) 

A bucket or some other container with a lid. This recipe makes 2 gallons. I use a 5 gallon bucket with a lid doesn't need to be fancy. 

Optional: Essential Oil 

I'll admit I do miss the scent of commercial laundry soap so I'll definitely be adding this to my next batch. Without the essential oil they don't really have a smell besides clean. 

Recipe for 2 Gallons of Homemade Laundry Detergent

1/3 Bar of Fels-Naptha Grated (You can grab a grater at the Dollar Store so your dinner doesn't taste like soap after this)

1/2 C. Borax

1/2 C. Washing Soda

1. Place the grated soap into a saucepan and add 6 Cups of water. Heat, stirring occasionally until most of the soap is melted and dissolved.

2. Then stir in the Borax and Washing Soda until well dissolved.

3. If you choose you can add 1 oz. of essential oil to give your laundry a nice scent.

4. Remove the saucepan from heat.

5. Pour 4 Cups of hot water into your bucket or container.

6. Add soap mixture and stir well.

7. Add 1 Gallon plus 6 Cups of hot water and stir again.

8. Let set for 24 hours. The detergent turns into a watery gel. (Looks similar to egg drop soup)

Use 1/2 Cup per load of laundry and wash as normal.

Now previously I said it was $7 for the ingredients to make 6 gallons. That's just to get started. Obviously you will have a lot of the Washing Soda & Borax left over to make future batches so all you will need to buy is more Fels-Naptha to make more. I paid $0.97 for a bar of Fels-Naptha at Wal-Mart. You do the math (really, please, you do it, I'm awful at math). 

Check out my previous post about making reusable dryer sheets to save even more money on laundry!