Homemade Laundry Detergent for About $20 (Lasts A YEAR!)

If you've ever thought about making your own laundry detergent – you might have started looking at all the different recipes out there and got overwhelmed. But look no further – this is the BEST recipe for DIY Laundry Detergent and it's SO EASY to make! Plus? It will last most families an entire year…. so you only need to make it once and it will go a LONG way.

Life Hacks Aug 12, 2022 0 949 Add to Reading List

Homemade Laundry Detergent for About $20 (Lasts A YEAR!)

Here's why this is the best homemade laundry soap you can whip up:

IT SAVES MONEY – Costs about $20 for a 1-Year Supply
IT SMELLS GOOD – You can leave out the scent beads if you want – but for me, having my clean laundry smell amazing is one of my happies in life!
IT'S EASY TO MAKE – 6 simple ingredients, and you don't need a food processor or anything.
IT WORKS REALLY WELL – even in Cold Water wash, for front loaders, or HE washing machines!

Here's How to Make Homemade Laundry Detergent

There are two different recipes for homemade detergent you can make – powder or liquid. Both use the same basic ingredients, but the liquid laundry detergent takes longer to make. I decided to go with the powder simply because it's easier to make!

I also like the option to add scent beads to the powder so I can customize each batch with a smell I love. (You can TOTALLY leave out the scent booster if you have extra sensitive skin or want to keep it more natural!)

Supplies needed:

Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda or HERE (55 oz. Box)
20 Mule Team Borax (4 lbs 12 oz. Box)
Pure Baking Soda (4 lbs)
Fels-Naptha Soap (3 Bars)
Oxi-Clean Stain Remover Powder (1.3 lb Tub)
*Optional – Downy Unstoppables 26.9 oz (For a cheaper option use Arm & Hammer or Purex Crystals)

Directions:

First, you want to crumble the soap into powder. To do that you'll first microwave it and make it big and puffy – then it crumbles really easily! (You can also grate the bar of soap, or if you have a food processor, you can use that).

Add to all the other ingredients and mix well. Store in an airtight container. Use 1 Tbsp per load or 2 Tbsp for heavily soiled clothes.

Line a 5 Gallon Bucket with a trash bag for your mixing bowl (You can also use a plastic tub)

Next, add the entire box of Borax, Washing Soda, Baking Soda, Oxy Clean and Scent Beads

Then, cut the Fels Naptha Soap into about six pieces and microwave for 2:30 minutes (It will grow!) Let cool and repeat for the other two bars.

Crumble the soap as small as you can and add into the bucket of powdered ingredients.

Stir until well combined (You may want to use a big wooden spoon or scoop)

Store your homemade powder laundry detergent in an airtight container so it won't get clumpy.

Use 1 Tbsp for a regular load, or 2 Tbsp for a more soiled load.

Note: I used up all of the ingredients except the oxy clean – since there was a little over the recommended recipe.

Does Homemade Laundry Detergent Save Money?

If you picked up all your ingredients from the Amazon links provided, your upfront cost will be a little high (because you're buying in bulk in some of those links), but keep in mind that each box of washing soda and borax will make many, many batches of detergent!

If you pick up your supplies at Walmart & Amazon – this will be your out of pocket cost:

Fels-Naptha Bar Soap – 88¢ x 3 Bars – $2.64 at Amazon
Arm & Hammer Washing Soda 55 oz – $4.12 at Walmart
20 Mule Team Natural Laundry Booster, Borax – $3.28 per box on Amazon
Arm & Hammer Baking Soda – $2.48 at Walmart
Oxi-Clean Stain Remover – $4.38 at Walmart
Scent Beads – From $4.80 – $15 (Totally depends on which kind you decide to buy)

Total Cost = $21.70 for about 18 lbs of Laundry Detergent (WOWZA!)