How Do You Make Your Own Laundry Detergent: A Simple Guide

The Basics of How to Make Your Own Laundry Detergent

If you’re looking to save money on laundry detergent or reduce your exposure to harsh chemicals, making your own laundry soap is a great option.

Plus, it’s surprisingly easy to do!

Read this article for a complete “How to”:

What Are the Ingredients for Homemade Detergent?

The basic ingredients for homemade laundry soap are:

• Washing soda
• Borax
• Bar of soap

You can use any type of soap you like, but many people prefer to use a natural soap like Dr. Bronner’s castile soap.

What Supplies Do You Need to Make Homemade Laundry Detergent?

To make your own laundry soap, you’ll need:

• A large pot or saucepan
• A grater (if using a bar of soap)
• A mixing spoon or whisk
• A container to store the finished detergent

How Do You Make Homemade Laundry Detergent?

How to Make Laundry Detergent with Borax

If you’re looking to make your own laundry detergent, borax is a common ingredient that can help get your clothes clean. Here’s how to make laundry detergent with borax:

Ingredients

• 1 cup of borax
• 1 cup of washing soda
• 1 bar of soap (such as Fels Naptha or Zote)

Step-by-Step to making your own laundry detergent:

1. Grate the bar of soap using a cheese grater or food processor.
2. In a large pot or saucepan, combine the grated soap with 4 cups of water. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the soap is completely melted.
3. Add 1 cup of washing soda and 1 cup of borax to the pot. Stir until the washing soda and borax are completely dissolved.
4. Add 12 cups of water to the pot and stir well.
5. Allow the mixture to cool, then transfer it to a large container for storage.

How to Use

To use your homemade laundry soap, simply add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the detergent to each load of laundry, depending on the size of the load and how dirty the clothes are.

Benefits of Borax

Borax, also known as sodium borate, is a natural mineral that can help boost the cleaning power of your laundry detergent.

It can help remove stains and odors from clothes, and it’s also an effective fabric softener.

Safety Precautions

While borax is generally considered safe for use in laundry detergent, it’s important to take some safety precautions when handling it.

Be sure to wear gloves when mixing the ingredients together, and avoid inhaling the powder.

Keep the mixture out of reach of children and pets.

Overall, making your own laundry detergent with borax can be a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to store-bought detergents.

Give it a try and see how it works for you!

Making Laundry Detergent without Borax

If you’re looking for a way to make laundry soap without borax, you’re in luck!

There are plenty of natural and effective alternatives to this ingredient that you can use to create your own laundry detergent at home.

One popular option is to use washing soda, also known as sodium carbonate.

This is a natural mineral that is often used as a water softener and can help to remove stains and odors from your clothes.

To make laundry soap with washing soda, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 1 cup washing soda
• 1 cup baking soda
• 1 cup liquid Castile soap
• 1/2 cup coarse salt

To make the detergent, simply mix all of the ingredients together in a large bowl until they are well combined.

Then, store the mixture in an airtight container until you’re ready to use it.

MAKING LAUNDRY DETERGENT WITH SOAP NUTS

Another alternative to borax is to use soap nuts, which are the dried fruit shells of the Sapindus mukorossi tree.

These nuts contain saponins, which are natural surfactants that can help to clean your clothes.

To make laundry soap with soap nuts, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 15-20 soap nuts
• 6 cups water
• 15-20 drops of essential oil (optional)

Step-By-Step to Making Laundry Detergent using Soap Nuts

1. To make the detergent, simply place the soap nuts in a large pot with the water and bring the mixture to a boil.
2. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced by half.
3. Then, strain the mixture and add the essential oil if desired.
4. Store the detergent in an airtight container until you’re ready to use it.

Whether you choose to use washing soda, soap nuts, or another natural alternative, making your own laundry soap without borax is a great way to save money and reduce your exposure to harsh chemicals.

Cost Efficiency of MAKING Homemade LAUNDRY Detergent

Making your own laundry detergent can be a cost-effective solution for those who want to save money.

According to Bargain Babe, if you do an average of one load of laundry per day, making your own laundry detergent can save you up to $69.35 per year compared to using Tide.

However, the cost savings may vary depending on the ingredients you use and the frequency of doing laundry.

Here are some factors that can affect the cost efficiency of homemade detergent:

• Ingredients: The cost of ingredients can vary depending on where you buy them and the brand. For example, washing soda, borax, and Fels Naptha soap are common ingredients used in many recipes, but the prices may differ depending on the store or supplier. You can also add essential oils for fragrance, but they can be expensive, so it’s optional.
• Equipment: Making your own laundry detergent requires some equipment such as a cheese grater, mixing bowl, and a container to store the detergent. If you don’t have these items, you may need to purchase them, which can add to the cost.
• Frequency of use: The frequency of doing laundry can also affect the cost efficiency of homemade detergent. If you do laundry frequently, you may need to make more batches of detergent, which can increase the cost of ingredients and equipment over time.

Despite these factors, making your own laundry detergent can still be a cost-effective option for many households.

It’s also an eco-friendly alternative to store-bought detergents that often come in plastic containers and may contain harmful chemicals.

Pros and Cons of Homemade Laundry Detergent

Making your own laundry detergent can be a great way to save money and reduce your environmental impact. However, there are also some drawbacks to using homemade laundry detergent. Here are some pros and cons to consider before you start making your own laundry detergent.

Pros

• Cost-effective: Homemade laundry detergent is usually less expensive than store-bought detergents, especially if you buy the ingredients in bulk.
• Eco-friendly: Homemade laundry detergent is often made with natural, biodegradable ingredients that are better for the environment than the synthetic chemicals found in many commercial detergents.
• Customizable: When you make your own laundry detergent, you can customize the recipe to suit your needs. For example, you can add essential oils for fragrance or use a different type of soap if you have sensitive skin.

Cons

• Time-consuming: Making your own laundry detergent can be time-consuming, especially if you’re making a large batch.
• Less effective: Homemade laundry detergent may not be as effective at removing stains and odors as commercial detergents, especially if you have hard water.
• Risk of mistakes: If you don’t follow the recipe carefully, you could end up with a detergent that doesn’t work or that damages your clothes or washing machine.

Overall, making your own laundry detergent can be a good choice if you’re looking to save money, reduce your environmental impact and reduce your exposure to harsh chemicals.

However, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons and make sure you’re comfortable with the time and effort involved in making your own detergent.

By considering the factors mentioned above, you can determine whether making your own detergent is the right choice for you.

Let me know in the comments if you have made your own Laundry Detergent and how its worked out for you!