How to Make Laundry Detergent at Home

Wash your clothes with homemade laundry detergent.

Some laundry detergents contain harsh chemicals that can irritate sensitive skin, such as that of an infant. Making your own laundry detergent at home will ensure that only all-natural products go in to your wash. There is another added bonus to making laundry detergent at home. A large five gallon batch of homemade laundry detergent will cost you the same as a 32 oz. store brand laundry detergent. That's extra bucks in your pocket.

Things You'll Need

• 2 cups liquid castile soap
• 1 1/2 cups washing soda
• 1 1/2 cups borax
• 4 tbsp. glycerin
• 5 gallons hot water
• Large bucket
• Empty laundry detergent containers

Instructions

1. Pour 2 cups of liquid castile soap, 1 1/2 cups washing soda, 1 1/2 cups borax, and 4 tbsp. of glycerin in a large bucket. Mix until combined.

2. Add 5 gallons of hot water to the large bucket. The water should be as hot as you can get it, so be careful that you don't burn yourself while adding it to the bucket.

3. Stir until all of the initial ingredients dissolve in the hot water.

4. Pour the homemade laundry detergent from the large bucket into separate empty laundry detergent containers to store for future use.

5. Add 1/2 cup of the homemade laundry detergent to each load of wash.

Tips & Warnings

• If your soap is in the form of a bar instead of a liquid, you will need to shave and melt it before adding it to the bucket.

• You should wait for the homemade laundry detergent to cool down before placing the lid on the individual containers when getting them ready for storage.

References

• Easy Home Recipes: Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent
• Dr. Bonner's Magic Soaps: FAQs