How to Make Homemade Laundry Detergent (2024)

Have you ever wished there was an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to store-bought laundry soap? Well, guess what? You can make your wish come true by crafting your own homemade laundry detergent recipe! Think about it: while saving money and reducing plastic waste, you can make a homemade formula that is just as effective as commercial brands — but often with fewer chemicals.

In this article, we'll delve into the benefits and strategies to creating a DIY laundry detergent at home. But first, let's make sure you have the necessary ingredients to make your own laundry soap.

Contents

1. Homemade Laundry Soap: What You'll Need
2. Your Choice of Ingredients is Key
3. Making Homemade Laundry Detergent
4. How to Use and Store Homemade Laundry Detergent
5. Benefits of Homemade Laundry Soap
6. Reduce Harsh Chemicals An Easier Way
7. Wash Clothes With Your Own Detergent

There are hundreds of laundry detergents on the market with fancy packaging, expensive advertising, and big promises. The truth is you can easily make a comparable detergent from basic ingredients in your own home.

Here's what you'll need:

While the components to making your own laundry detergent are pretty straightforward, you still have choices to make. For example, you can choose any soap, but natural or hypoallergenic options are best for sensitive skin. Castile bar soap is a fine choice.

Borax is another key ingredient. It boosts cleaning power and is a natural mineral compound. Lastly, essential oils are optional for fragrance. Lavender, lemon, or eucalyptus are popular choices for a fresh, clean scent.

Here's what to do:

Use your homemade laundry detergent no differently than how you'd use any commercial detergent. For a regular load of laundry, use one or two tablespoons. This amount is effective yet shouldn't leave any residue on your clothes. Your homemade laundry powder should work with any high efficiency washing machines.

For storage, choose an airtight container. It keeps the detergent dry and clump-free. A recycled jar or an old detergent container works well. Remember to label the container for safety and convenience. Keep it in a cool, dry place to make sure it maintains its cleaning ability.

Remember why you're undertaking this fun little project in the first place: it offers so many benefits! Firstly, homemade laundry powder is eco-friendly. By making your own detergent, you significantly reduce the use of plastic packaging. This small change contributes to a larger environmental impact.

Secondly, it's cost-effective. Store bought detergent can be pricey, but homemade detergent is often made from inexpensive ingredients. Thirdly, it's skin friendly. Many commercial detergents contain toxic chemicals that can irritate sensitive skin. Since you control the ingredients being used, you can ensure a gentler wash.

Finally, it's customizable. You can adjust the scent and strength according to your preferences. This can make your laundry routine more enjoyable, as you adjust your powdered detergent with each wash load. Your laundry room might become your soap-making laboratory!

If you don't want to make your own laundry detergent, but do want a natural way to reduce the chemical-laden products you use when doing laundry, try:

Keep in mind that it's also possible to make liquid detergent at home. Many recipes prefer liquid castile soap as the main cleaning agent, rather than bar soap or soap flakes. There's even a homemade laundry detergent recipe that incorporates dish soap!

Needless to say, you can spend a lot of time fine-tuning your special formula. And all the while, you can avoid the laundry aisle and save money. Who knew laundry soaps could be so interesting?!

This article was updated in conjunction with AI technology, then fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.