How to Make Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent

Laundry detergent is a household necessity, but commercial products can be expensive and filled with chemicals. Making your own homemade liquid laundry detergent is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative. This guide will walk you through the process, providing you with a simple recipe and highlighting the benefits of making laundry detergent at home.

Some simple categories of laundry:

Type of Load:

1. Whites: Includes white clothes, towels, and sheets. Often washed in hot water to remove stains and maintain brightness.
2. Darks: Includes dark-colored clothes that can bleed or fade. Typically washed in cold water to preserve color.
3. Lights: Includes light-colored clothes that are not white. Usually washed in warm water.
4. Delicates: Includes items made of delicate fabrics like silk, lace, and wool. Washed on a gentle cycle or by hand.
5. Heavy/Durable: Includes items like jeans, towels, and bedding. Can often withstand more vigorous washing and higher temperatures.

Fabric Type:

1. Cotton: Durable and generally easy to wash, but can shrink if not handled properly.
2. Synthetic (Polyester, Nylon, etc.): Generally wrinkle-resistant and quick-drying but may retain odors more easily.
3. Natural Fibers (Wool, Silk, etc.): Require gentle handling and special care to avoid damage.
4. Blends: Mixtures of natural and synthetic fibers, requiring specific care instructions according to the blend.

Purpose:

1. Everyday Laundry: Regular clothes worn daily, e.g., t-shirts, jeans, and socks.
2. Specialty Laundry: Items such as sportswear, uniforms, and swimwear that may require special care.
3. Household Items: Includes linens, towels, and blankets.

Care Instructions:

1. Machine Washable: Can be washed in a washing machine, following specified cycles and temperatures.
2. Hand Wash Only: Requires gentle washing by hand to avoid damage.
3. Dry Clean Only: Items that need to be cleaned by a professional dry cleaning service.
4. Wash Separately: Items that may bleed color or require unique washing conditions.

This simple classification can help you sort and manage your laundry more effectively.

Benefits of Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent

There are several reasons why making your own laundry detergent can be beneficial:

Cost-Effective

Save Money: Making your own detergent can be significantly cheaper than buying commercial products. The ingredients are inexpensive and readily available.

Bulk Production: With just a few ingredients, you can create a large batch that lasts for months, reducing the frequency and cost of shopping.

Environmentally Friendly

Fewer Chemicals: Homemade detergent contains fewer chemicals and additives, making it gentler on the environment and your skin.

Less Packaging Waste: By making your own detergent and reusing containers, you reduce plastic waste and help protect the environment.

Customized Formula

Gentle on Skin: You can customize the ingredients to ensure they are gentle on sensitive skin, avoiding allergens and irritants found in some commercial products.

Fragrance Options: Choose your preferred scent by adding essential oils, or leave it unscented for a fragrance-free option.

Ingredients Needed for Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent

To make your own liquid laundry detergent, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 1 bar of soap (Castile or any gentle, fragrance-free soap)
• 1 cup of washing soda (sodium carbonate)
• 1 cup of borax (sodium borate)
• 4 cups of warm water (to dissolve the soap)
• 1 gallon of hot water (for the final mixture)
• Essential oils (optional for fragrance)

Tools and Supplies

Gather the following tools and supplies to make the process smooth and efficient:

• Large pot (to heat water and mix ingredients)
• Grater (to grate the bar soap)
• Large bucket (at least 2 gallons)
• Stirring spoon or whisk
• Funnel (to pour the detergent into containers)
• Empty containers for storage (gallon jugs or large bottles)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to make your own liquid laundry detergent at home:

Step 1: Grate the Soap

Grate the Bar Soap: Use a grater to finely grate the bar of soap. Smaller soap pieces will dissolve more easily in water.

Step 2: Dissolve the Soap

Heat Water: In a large pot, heat 4 cups of water until it’s hot but not boiling.

Add Grated Soap: Slowly add the grated soap to the hot water, stirring continuously until the soap completely dissolves. This process may take a few minutes, so be patient.

Step 3: Mix in the Other Ingredients

Combine Washing Soda and Borax: Add 1 cup of washing soda and 1 cup of borax to the pot of dissolved soap. Stir the mixture until both the washing soda and borax are fully dissolved. The mixture will start to thicken as the ingredients combine.

Step 4: Prepare the Final Mixture

Pour into Bucket: Transfer the soap mixture into a large bucket. Slowly add 1 gallon of hot water to the bucket, stirring continuously to ensure the ingredients are well mixed.

Optional Fragrance: If you prefer a scented detergent, add 10-15 drops of your favorite essential oil to the mixture. Stir well to distribute the fragrance evenly.

Step 5: Let It Set

Sit Overnight: Cover the bucket and let the mixture sit overnight. The detergent will thicken and form a gel-like consistency.

Stir the Mixture: After it has set overnight, give the detergent a good stir. It may have separated or formed clumps, so stirring will help to reconstitute it.

Step 6: Store the Detergent

Transfer to Containers: Use a funnel to pour the detergent into storage containers. Reuse old detergent bottles or any large containers with lids.

Label the Containers: Clearly label the containers with the date and contents to avoid confusion.

Using Your Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent

Using your homemade detergent is simple and effective:

Measurement and Dosage

Standard Load: For a standard load of laundry, use 1/2 to 1 cup of homemade liquid detergent.

Large or Heavily Soiled Loads: For larger or heavily soiled loads, use 1 to 1 1/2 cups of detergent.

High-Efficiency Machines

HE-Compatible: This homemade detergent is low-sudsing and suitable for high-efficiency (HE) washing machines. Use 1/4 to 1/2 cup for a standard load in an HE machine.

Pre-Treating Stains

Direct Application: For stubborn stains, apply a small amount of detergent directly to the stain and let it sit for a few minutes before washing.

Tips for Success and Troubleshooting

Follow these tips to ensure your homemade detergent is effective and troubleshoot any issues:

Mixing and Consistency

Smooth Mixture: If your detergent is too thick or chunky, add a bit more hot water and stir until smooth.

Shake Before Use: Homemade detergent may separate over time. Simply shake the container before each use to ensure even distribution.

Storage

Cool, Dry Place: Store your detergent in a cool, dry place to prevent separation and spoilage.

Proper Sealing: Ensure containers are sealed tightly to avoid contamination and maintain freshness.

Sensitivity and Allergies

Test First: If you or anyone in your household has sensitive skin, test a small amount of detergent on one piece of clothing before doing a full load.

Fragrance-Free Option: For those with fragrance sensitivities, omit essential oils and use unscented soap.

Expanding Your Homemade Detergent Knowledge

Making homemade laundry detergent opens the door to other DIY cleaning products that can help you maintain a clean and sustainable home.

Homemade Fabric Softener

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of white vinegar
• 1/2 cup of baking soda
• 10-15 drops of essential oil (optional)

Instructions:

1. Mix vinegar and essential oil (if using) in a container.
2. Slowly add baking soda (the mixture will fizz).
3. Stir until completely dissolved.
4. Use 1/4 cup per load in the fabric softener dispenser.

Homemade Stain Remover

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide
• 1/2 cup of baking soda
• 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle.
2. Apply directly to stains.
3. Let sit for 10-15 minutes before washing.

Conclusion

Making homemade liquid laundry detergent is a rewarding and eco-friendly project that can save you money and reduce your household’s environmental footprint. With simple ingredients and easy steps, you can create a customized detergent that is gentle on your skin, effective for cleaning, and kind to the planet.

By following the detailed instructions and tips provided in this comprehensive guide, you’ll have the confidence to produce a high-quality homemade detergent. Once you’ve mastered the basics, consider exploring other homemade cleaning products to further enhance your home’s sustainability.

Incorporating homemade laundry detergent into your routine can lead to long-term benefits for both your household and the environment. Enjoy the satisfaction of using a product you created yourself, free from harsh chemicals and with a lower impact on world around you.