Saturday, August 27, 2011

DIY Liquid Laundry Detergent


Are you tired of overpaying for laundry detergent?  Try this easy DIY version that will save you TONS of money! One batch makes 10 gallons of detergent so start saving your milk jugs or old laundry detergent bottles!

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap
Works in front or top load machines






Hot tap water
1 full size Ivory OR Fels-Naptha soap bar (Fels-Naptha can be found in the laundry section near stain removers like oxi-clean etc. I have seen it at Walmart. It costs about $.97 for one bar and is about $1.39 at Meijer. A 4 pack of Ivory costs just over $2 at most stores.)
1 Cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (found in the laundry section - a large box costs just over $3 at Walmart)
½ Cup Borax (found in the laundry section - a large box costs just over $3 at Walmart)

Step 1: Grate bar of soap or use vegetable peeler to make thin strips. Add to saucepan with 4 cups of hot tap water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap is dissolved.

Step 2: Fill a 5 gallon bucket or large tub with 2 1/2 gallons of hot tap water. 

Step 3: Add melted soap liquid, washing soda and Borax. Stir until all powder is dissolved. 

Step 4: Add another 2 1/2 gallons of hot tap water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.

Step 5: Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser or milk jug half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use.

Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add after detergent has cooled.


Directions for use:


-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 236 loads)

-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)

1 comment:

  1. I really love this detergent! Saves so much money, and I'm happy with how it cleans and smells. It took me 15 minutes to mix up half a batch one night. I only got back to it the next afternoon, and it had separated into a gelatinous mass of soap floating on top of liquid. Took a while of stirring, but it blended back together and hasn't separated since. I don't know if it would have separated so much if I had checked it in the morning rather than the afternoon, but next time I make a batch I'll get back to it sooner and see how it goes. Still very much worth it!

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