How to make homemade laundry detergent step by step

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Introduction

Want cleaner clothes, fewer harsh chemicals, and lower grocery bills? Making your own detergent is a simple way to take control of your laundry routine. In this guide, you’ll learn how to make homemade laundry detergent step by step—with two reliable, budget-friendly recipes (powdered and liquid) that work for both top-load and HE washers. We’ll cover exact measurements, storage tips, and usage so you can mix, scoop, and wash with confidence.

Why Homemade Laundry Detergent Matters for Your Laundry Room

DIY detergent can streamline your laundry station and cut costs without sacrificing clean. Benefits include:

  • Cost savings: A single batch often costs a fraction of store-bought detergent—pennies per load.
  • Custom ingredients: Choose gentle soaps, skip dyes, and keep fragrances subtle or fragrance-free.
  • Space efficient: A compact jar of powder on a shelf near the washer, a labeled scoop, and you’re set.
  • Low waste: Fewer plastic bottles and boxes to recycle.
  • Good results: When measured correctly and paired with the right water temperature, DIY mixes remove everyday dirt, sweat, and odors effectively.

Key laundry terms you’ll use along the way: washing soda (sodium carbonate) boosts cleaning; borax (optional) softens water and deodorizes; grated bar soap provides surfactants; oxygen bleach brightens whites; and a scoop in the detergent drawer (or drum) keeps washer and dryer cycles tidy.

Step-by-Step Guide to Homemade Laundry Detergent

Option A: Powdered Detergent (fastest & space-saving)

Ingredients (basic, borax-optional):

  • 1 bar laundry soap (about 120–150 g) — e.g., castile, vegetable-based, or traditional laundry bar
  • 1 cup washing soda
  • 1 cup borax (optional; skip if you prefer borax-free)
  • Optional: ½ cup oxygen bleach (color-safe) for whitening power
  • Optional: 10–20 drops essential oil (lavender, lemon) for light scent

Tools: box grater or food processor, large bowl, airtight container (2–3 L), measuring scoop (1 tbsp).

Steps:

  1. Grate the soap: Use the fine side of a grater, or pulse chunks in a food processor until you have small, even crumbs. Finer texture dissolves faster in cooler water.
  2. Mix dry boosters: In a large bowl, combine washing soda and borax (if using). Add oxygen bleach if you want brightening power.
  3. Combine thoroughly: Stir grated soap into the powders until the color looks uniform. If using essential oil, sprinkle drops over the mix and stir again to distribute evenly.
  4. Store airtight: Transfer to a sealed jar or canister. Label the container with ingredients and usage amounts. Keep a 1 tbsp scoop inside.

How much to use:

  • HE washers: 1 tablespoon per regular load (2 tsp for small loads).
  • Standard/top-load: 1–2 tablespoons depending on soil level and water hardness.
    For very hard water, use the higher end of the range or add ¼ cup washing soda to the drum.

Option B: Liquid Detergent (gentle & easy to pre-dissolve)

Ingredients (makes ~3.5–4 L):

  • 1 bar laundry soap, finely grated
  • 1 cup washing soda
  • ½ cup borax (optional; omit for borax-free)
  • 3.5–4 L hot water total
  • Optional: 10–20 drops essential oil

Tools: large stockpot or bucket, long spoon/whisk, funnel, clean jugs with caps.

Steps:

  1. Dissolve the soap: In a pot with 1 L hot (not boiling) water, whisk grated soap until fully melted and smooth.
  2. Add boosters: Stir in washing soda and borax (if using) until dissolved. Mixture will thicken slightly.
  3. Top up with water: Pour the concentrate into a bucket or jug. Add hot water to reach 3.5–4 L total. Whisk well.
  4. Cool & bottle: Let cool to lukewarm, add essential oil if desired, whisk again, then funnel into jugs. Shake jugs before each use; some settling/geling is normal.

How much to use:

  • HE washers: ¼ cup per load.
  • Standard/top-load: ⅓–½ cup per load, depending on soil level.

Boosters & Add-Ons (optional but handy)

  • Oxygen bleach (color-safe): Add 1–2 tbsp to whites or musty towels.
  • White vinegar rinse: ¼–½ cup in the fabric softener slot helps reduce residue and static (avoid at the same time as washing soda in the wash water; vinegar goes in the rinse so the cleaning alkalinity isn’t neutralized).
  • Baking soda: 1–2 tbsp in the drum for odor-heavy loads (gym gear, pet blankets).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Using too much soap
    • Mistake: Big scoops feel powerful, but excess soap can leave residue on fabrics and in the washer.
    • Fix: Stick to 1 tbsp powder (HE) or ¼ cup liquid. Scale up only for very soiled loads.
  2. Skipping the grate/processing step
    • Mistake: Large soap shavings don’t dissolve well in cold cycles, leading to film on clothes.
    • Fix: Grate finely or pulse to a sand-like texture.
  3. Pouring vinegar into the wash with washing soda
    • Mistake: They neutralize each other, reducing cleaning power.
    • Fix: Use vinegar in the rinse cycle only.
  4. Ignoring water hardness
    • Mistake: Hard water binds minerals to soap, causing dullness or stiffness.
    • Fix: Increase washing soda slightly, add 1 tbsp oxygen bleach, or use a water softener pod.
  5. No washer maintenance
    • Mistake: Detergent film and lint build up over time.
    • Fix: Run a monthly hot maintenance cycle with 2 cups white vinegar (front-load: wipe gasket and detergent drawer afterward; top-load: clean rim and agitator).

Extra Laundry Tips & Hacks

  • Pre-treat smart: Rub a pea-sized drop of liquid dish soap or your liquid DIY detergent into oily spots (collars, cuffs), wait 10 minutes, then wash.
  • Temperature tactics: Warm water improves dissolution for heavy soil loads; cold works for most everyday washing and saves energy.
  • Label clearly: Note “1 tbsp/HE, 2 tbsp/top-load” on your container so everyone in the household doses correctly.
  • Sensitive skin: Choose fragrance-free soap bars and skip essential oils; rinse with vinegar for extra softness without fabric softener.
  • Shelf life: Powder keeps 6–12 months airtight. Liquid keeps ~3 months; shake before use. If gelled, whisk or warm slightly and shake.

For related care, see our guide on “How to Wash Clothes with Less Water and Energy” to pair your DIY detergent with efficiency tactics.

Conclusion

Making your own detergent is straightforward: grate, mix, store, scoop. With the powdered or liquid method above, you can control ingredients, reduce plastic, and keep your laundry area cleaner and more organized. Once you dial in the right dose for your washer, water, and typical soil level, your routine becomes fast and fuss-free.

Pro Tip: Start small—mix a half-batch first, track how many loads it covers, and adjust your scoop size or washing soda level based on results.

Bookmark this guide so your laundry room always has a fresh batch ready to go.