Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent Recipe | With Castile Soap
From store-bought to homemade DIY Laundry soap with liquid castile soap. Ditch the expensive Tide or other name brand with unknown ingredients for this non-toxic, cheap and easy one!
Over the years I have made 101 different homemade laundry soap recipes (Well, not quite that many but I have made several), never quite liking any of them very well. One didn’t clean too well, one didn’t smell too good, etc. So, I continued to experiment as I came across different recipes.
Now, I have found the one. It works great and is cheaper than many name brands, especially if you are buying non-toxic, natural detergents. Whether you want a small batch or large batch, this recipe can be adjusted to fit your needs and is easy to make. Plus, it can be used in any regular or HE (high efficiency washers) washing machines.
You can also grate up and melt castile bar soap in place of liquid castile soap for cheaper, however, I like to use the liquid in this recipe because it is so quick and easy.
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I made a small batch of my own homemade liquid laundry soap in this video, check it out for a video tutorial to see how quick and simple it is to make!
HOW MANY LOADS OF LAUNDRY CAN I DO?
This recipe makes one gallon of homemade liquid laundry soap. You can get 64 loads of laundry washed per one gallon batch if you use 1/4 cup per load like me. Or if you have the room to store more, I recommend making a 5-gallon bucket (4x) which will last for 256 loads.
- If you do 1 load of laundry per day, it will last you over 8 months. Which means you would only have to make it 2x per year.
- If have a large family and do 2 loads of laundry per day (or 14/week), it will last you over 4 months. Which means you would make it about 3x per year.
cost breakdown of homemade laundry detergent
A load of laundry only needs 1/4cup of this soap, resulting in cost per load: $0.08/load.
Total Cost for one gallon of homemade laundry soap: $5.44
- 1 cup of washing soda (sodium carbonate) – $4.99 per box, 7 cups per box, $0.71/cup
- 1 cup of borax – $5.97 per box, 8.125 cups per box, $0.74/cup
- 1 cup liquid castile soap – $15.97 per 32oz. (quart) bottle, 4 cups per quart, $3.99/cup
You could also make this homemade laundry detergent using a bar of castile soap by grating it up and melting it. While it is cheaper to use a bar ($0.02/load), using liquid castile soap is quicker and still cheaper than your natural non-toxic store-bought brands.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED
- Washing Soda
- Borax
- Liquid Castile Soap (Or Bar Soap) – I like to use a scented liquid castile soap, but unscented is available as well.
- Water
SUPPLIES YOU MAY NEED
- Gallon jar or 5-gallon bucket – I like to use this one with a dispenser.
- Large spoon
- Large Pot
- Funnel (optional)
how to make homemade LIQUID laundry detergent
ONLY ONE-GALLON STEPS:
Heat 6 cups of water to a low boil on the stove.
Add a cup of liquid castile soap, washing soda, and borax to the boiling water and stir until dissolved. Remove from heat. Add remaining 7 cups of water (cold water is fine). Pour the soap into your desired container for storage. I like to use a glass gallon tea jug or old laundry detergent container with spout. At this point, the laundry detergent will be a clear liquid and yellowish in color.
Place a lid on the container, set it aside, and wait 24 hours for it to gel before using in laundry. Once gelled, the laundry soap should be an even consistency and white. If needed, shake or stir up to remove any clumps.
Store as is or in a glass bottle with a dispenser. Use 1/4 cup of soap per load of laundry.
5-GALLON (4X RECIPE) STEPS:
Heat 24 cups of water (1.5 gallons) to a low boil on the stove.
Add 4 cups liquid castile soap, 4 cups washing soda, and 4 cups borax to a 5-gallon bucket. Pour the boiling water into the bucket with the other ingredients and stir until everything is dissolved. Add remaining 28 cups (1.75 gallons) of tap water. At this point, the laundry detergent will be a clear liquid and yellowish in color.
Place a lid on the container, set it aside, and wait 24 hours for it to gel before using in laundry. Once gelled, the laundry soap should be an even consistency and white. If needed, shake or stir up to remove any clumps.
Store as is or transfer a portion into a glass bottle with a dispenser. Use 1/4 cup of soap per load of laundry.
TIPS
- Be sure to wait at least 24 hours before you use. It should gel and will likely turn white over time.
- While this soap shouldn’t get too clumpy, if it does just give it a good stir or shake.
- If you aren’t sure if you will like this homemade liquid detergent, make a single small batch the first time and give it a try. If you like it, make a 5-gallon batch to save you time.
- I like to put a little fresh scent in my laundry soap. If you do too, you can use add any essential oil or herbal infusions of your choice or buy scented castile soap. Either way, add a few drops of your favorite oils to the measured-out castile soap and dry ingredients before adding water.
STORAGE
Be sure to store in a container with an airtight lid. If I make a 5-gallon batch of laundry detergent, I like storing a small amount in my laundry room cabinet in a gallon glass jug with a dispenser for easy use and the remainder in a 5-gallon bucket in my basement.
Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent
From store-bought to homemade DIY Laundry soap with liquid castile soap. Ditch the expensive Tide or other name brand with unknown ingredients for this non-toxic, cheap and easy one!
Ingredients
1 GALLON RECIPE (4x for 5-Gallon)
- 1 cup of washing soda (sodium carbonate)
- 1 cup of borax
- 1 cup liquid castile soap (I use lavender scented)
- 13 cups of water
SUPPLIES
- Gallon jar or 5-gallon bucket – I like to use this one with a dispenser.
- Large spoon
- Large Pot
- Funnel (optional)
Instructions
ONLY ONE-GALLON STEPS:
- Heat 6 cups of water to a low boil on the stove.
- Add a cup of liquid castile soap, washing soda, and borax to the boiling water and stir until dissolved. Remove from heat.
- Add remaining 7 cups of water (cold tap water works).
- Pour the soap into your desired container for storage. I like to use a glass gallon tea jug or old laundry detergent container with spout. At this point, the laundry detergent will be a clear liquid and yellowish in color.
- Place a lid on the container, set it aside, and wait 24 hours for it to gel before using in laundry. Once gelled, the laundry soap should be an even consistency and white. If needed, shake or stir up to remove any clumps.
- Store as is or transfer a portion into a glass bottle with a dispenser. Use 1/4 cup of soap per load of laundry.
5-GALLON (4X RECIPE) STEPS:
- Heat 24 cups of water (1.5 gallons) to a low boil on the stove.
- Add 4 cups liquid castile soap, 4 cups washing soda, and 4 cups borax to a 5-gallon bucket.
- Pour the boiling water into the bucket with the other ingredients and stir until everything is dissolved.
- Add remaining 28 cups (1.75 gallons) of tap water. At this point, the laundry detergent will be a clear liquid and yellowish in color.
- Place a lid on the container, set it aside, and wait 24 hours for it to gel before using in laundry. Once gelled, the laundry soap should be an even consistency and white. If needed, shake or stir up to remove any clumps.
- Store as is or transfer a portion into a glass bottle with a dispenser. Use 1/4 cup of soap per load of laundry.
Notes
- Be sure to wait at least 24 hours before you use. It should gel and will likely turn white over time.
- While this soap shouldn’t get too clumpy, if it does just give it a good stir or shake.
- If you aren’t sure if you will like this homemade liquid detergent, make a single small batch the first time and give it a try. If you like it, make a 5-gallon batch to save you time.
- You can use add any essential oil or herbal infusions of your choice or buy scented castile soap. Either way, add a few drops of your favorite oils to the measured-out castile soap and dry ingredients before adding water.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 543Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 66mgSodium: 358mgCarbohydrates: 87gFiber: 2gSugar: 72gProtein: 4g
