Today I’m sharing with you how to make homemade liquid laundry detergent! I’ve made powdered laundry detergent in the past, but I have been wanting to experiment with a liquid recipe. I found this one and revised it to my liking. Here is what you need:
Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent
An empty (around 1 gallon) container (I used an old detergent jug)
1 cup liquid Dr. Bronner’s Soap
1 cup baking soda
30 drops essential oil (optional)
I started off by taking the spout off the old detergent jug to make pouring and mixing easier
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voila! It will go back on later.
Break out the Dr. Bronner’s Soap and measure 1 cup.
Pour it in.
Add 1 cup baking soda
Add about 30 drops of your favorite essential oil. I already had tea tree oil on hand, so that is what I used. This step is optional…it’s just for nice smelling laundry!
Now, fill it up with warm water (if you use warm, the baking soda will dissolve better)
After you shake it up, you are done with your homemade liquid laundry detergent! You can use the cap to measure out about 1/4 cup per load!
So, this was an experiment for me…here are my thoughts. I think that the powdered detergent is much cheaper. This takes quite a bit of liquid Dr. Bronner’s soap which is much pricier than just one bar of natural soap for the other recipe. But, the powdered is a little more labor intensive as you have to grate the soap up. Both clean pretty well and the liquid recipe ends up smelling better because you can add the essential oils which you can’t do for the powdered kind. So, either recipe would be great, just whatever floats your boat, I guess!!
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thank you thank you thank you!
just found (and love) your blog and have been curious about natural laundry soap for a long time.
Would like the recipe for the less expensive version too. We use a special laundry soap for cloth diapers, exclusively for our cloth diapers and normal detergent for the rest of our things. Do you think this could work with the diapers?
Yes this will work for the daipers bacause Dr. Bronners soap is a natural soap.
Thank you for the recipe. I have heard of people using lemon juice for cloth diapers then hang them out on the line… I dunno about disenfcting but the lemon juice gets them whiter without bleach.
Thanks for the comments! The powdered version is linked up above. I also use cloth diapers and I was using the powdered homemade detergent on them, but noticed that they started to not be absorbent and didn't smell so good. I did some research and found out that homemade detergents cause buildup on cloth diapers. So, it's probably best to stick with Charlie's soap or something like that for the cloth diapers and use the homemade detergent for everything else. Hope that helps!!
WOW you are one talented girl! Way to go! I might have to try this. Thanks for your sweet comments! I actually made those curtains…got the fabric from home fabrics! I am your newest follower!
I realize this comment is late, really late, but white vinegar used in place of fabric softener will remove any soap residue that prevents the diapers from absorbing. Noticed vinegar was mentioned, but perhaps the amount needs to be increased a tad in order for all the residue to be removed. 1/2 Cup per load is a frequent recommendation.
Thanks, Blessed Mama! Good to know. Like I said earlier, I usually don't use the homemade detergents for cloth diapers. But, maybe I will give it a try with the vinegar. Thanks!!
Have you used this liquid detergent with kids' really dirty clothes? I like natural and inexpensive but I also need my kids clothes to come clean, which can be hard!
Also, to make it a little more cost effective, some organic/natural stores have castille soap in bulk that you can put in your own bottle and buy.
Used your soap solution and my clothes smell awesome! Loving the fact i can switch up scents anytime i want. I'm a bit of an essential oil collector so this is just way too convenient ^_^…Thank You Much
@ Frugalaunder: where do you get your essential oils from? Thanks!
Carol said….
Do you have any recipes for shampoo. Can you use the Castile soap for shampoo too?
yes, you can use castile soap for shampoo, actually. It's what I use on my girls. I don't care for it for myself just because my hair is super thick, so I need something a little more moisturizing. But you could definitely use it!
oh and vooloovoo, you can get your essential oils off Amazon.com or Whole Foods
Sarah, I have used it on my kids super dirty, spit up-y nasty clothes and it has worked really well! Sometimes if an item is really stained, I will soak it in some really concentrated soap for a few hours and then throw it in with the wash.
OK, what about in HE machines?? Would this be ok to use in them?
Is it safe to use for newborn babies' clothes?
Where do you find Dr. Bonner's soap? And how much do you use for HE washers per load?
You can find Bonner's soap at Walreen's, Whole Foods, or on-line.
well.ca- FREE SHIPPING!!! Lots of Dr. Bronner's products to choose from.
I have heard of people melting their bar of soap i the microwave instead of grating it for the liquid version. I adore the liquid version but agree its much more time consuming, think I will have to try the melting method! Hope this helps! :)–ps, cuz with the melting method, you can add your oils too! 😉
Nice Share. Try out mine Berry Soap.
does it have to be baking soda? or can i use borax, or washing soda??
If you live in florida, most publix stores has Dr. Bonner's soaps!
could you do this exact same thing with washing soda and just melt the bar of soap? maybe use tom's or dr. bronners bar of soap? would it work?
Check on Jill's "onegoodthing" and you can find a very inexpensive liquid soap. You do have to grate a bar of fels napa and use a cup of borax and a cup of WASHING SODA but that makes three gallons, I just use maybe an eighth of a cup in my HE machine, it smells good and last forever. You do cook the bar soap and you do have to stir it up the next day because it gels up but then shake and use it in four to six months then make another batch. Love your blog. Great info
I've heard that Borax can fade clothing/ burn holes in clothing so I'm a little reluctant to use it. Anyone know about that?
I just grated a bar of Dr Bronners, added about 2/3c baking soda and enough hot water to fill up an old detergent container. I like the mild peppermint smell of the Dr Bronners alone. How much vinegar would I add to that and do I need to add it separately or can I mix it up with the rest of the stuff?
i read a lot of stuff and i found that the way of writing to clearifing that exactly want to say was very good so i am impressed and ilike to come again in future..
Australian Natural Soap
Positive site, where did u come up with the information on this posting?I have read a few of the articles on your website now, and I really like your style. Thanks a million and please keep up the effective work.
Australian Natural Soap Bath Soaps
Hello!
I was wondering how long this one bottle of solution lasted. I’m able to get a 32oz castielle soap for 17$ and want to see if it’s worth it or go another route. This looks awesome I want to try. And so easy. It works well, stains and cleaning ?
It lasts as long as a normal bottle of detergent that size will last you. I have 3 kids, so we do a lot of laundry…it just depends on your family! You won’t use the whole thing of castile soap and that lasts forever since you need such a small amount! It works well, but you will want to pretreat any bad stains. Good luck!
Also can’t wait to read more!
Does this also work for HE washers?
I haven’t personally tried it, but I don’t know why it wouldn’t!
I actually do add essential oils to my powdered laundry soap. Just have to break it up and mix it in really well.
This is my absolute favorite DIY laundry detergent. I use Thieves essential oil from Young Living and I love knowing that there is nothing toxic being used to make my clothes clean and fresh!
I just made this and it is REALLY soapy. I couldn’t mix it up very well without letting it sit while the bubbles died down. I am concerned as to what it will do in my HE washer. Is this normal?
Hi….I just ran across this recipe on Pinterest and I made the laundry soap last week. I absolutely love it but am wondering if it’s supposed to lather a lot? Mine doesn’t make a lot of bubbles, so I kept adding more…is this normal?