Easy Inexpensive DIY Laundry Detergent Tutorial

Most laundry detergents that you can purchase at the store are full of harsh chemicals and fragrances. These can be disrupting to health. In addition, even small containers of laundry detergent can cost up to $10! At an average of one load of laundry each day, this can significantly add up over time! This easy and inexpensive DIY laundry detergent tutorial will walk you through making your own detergent at home for a tiny fraction of the cost! Best of all, it’s better for you because of the non-toxic ingredients!

Bottle of soap on a wooden counter with a laundry pile in the back and a green plant around it

Items You’ll Need

1/2 of a Fels Naptha Bar
1/2 cup Washing Soda
1/4 Cup Borax
2 Cups Water
Additional 4 gallons of water
2 -2 gallon buckets
Storage containers

You can find all of these supplies at any local grocery store. This tutorial makes 4 gallons of laundry detergent all for approximately $1.50. This is a fraction of the cost compared to store bought laundry detergent!

photo with a box of washing soda and a box of borax with the caption "how to make homemade laundry soap"

Preparing Your Laundry Detergent

The process of making this laundry detergent takes two days. Or if you choose to start the process early one morning and finish late that evening, you could condense the process into one day. You’ll need at least 12-14 hours in between the first and second phases.

To begin the process, shred the 1/2 of your fels naptha bar using a hand grater into a large stock pot. It should turn into a relatively fine powder. If any pieces remain too large, use your finger to crush them on the bottom of the pan. Add the two cups of water and transfer to the stove. Heat over medium heat until the fels naptha dissolves.

Next, add in the washing soda and borax and stir. Keep over the heat, and continue stirring until the mixture turns smooth instead of gritty.

Next, fill one of the 2 gallon buckets about halfway with hot water. Add in the mixture from the stove, and stir. Finally finish filling up the bucket all the way with hot water and let it set on the counter overnight or 12-14 hours.

4 part photo showing the different stages of someone making soap with the caption "DIY Laundry Soap"

Finishing Your Laundry Detergent

The next day, the process is simple! To start off this second phase, you’ll need to thoroughly break up the gelatinous soap mixture in the bucket. You can use a utensil such as a potato masher or you can use your hands. I honestly prefer to just get my hands in there and break it up that way.

Keep breaking up the mixture until there are no large chunks. It’s easiest to accomplish this by grabbing a handful of the soap and squeezing it into a more smooth consistence.

Once it is all broken apart, pour half of the soap into the other 2 gallon bucket. Now fill both of the buckets all the way with hot water. Finally give the soap one final stir with either your hand or the potato masher and it is finished!

2 part photo with a large bucket in a sink filled with clear soap

Storing And Using Your Laundry Detergent

To store your laundry detergent, simply add to air tight containers. Its best if you give the container a shake before pouring out for use.

I find that I only need about 2-3 tablespoons of this detergent for a large load of laundry. If I’m only doing a small load, I can get away with 1 tablespoon.

You can add fragrance to your detergent by adding essential oils either while cooking the mixture on the stove top or adding each time you do a load of laundry. This is entirely optional and not necessary for cleaning the clothes!

If you decide to make your own detergent, be sure to tag us in a post Instagram or Facebook @almostheavenhomesteading

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