Store-bought detergent gets expensive fast, especially when you keep paying for mostly water in a heavy jug. This homemade liquid laundry detergent fixes that with a simple stovetop mix that turns a few basic laundry-room staples into a full 2-gallon batch (your wallet can stop sighing now).
This version makes far more detergent for less than buying a comparable budget liquid detergent, and the original formula here comes in at under $0.75 per 2-gallon batch. Making it yourself also lets you control the scent by leaving it unscented and gives you a straightforward formula without extra dyes or fragrance boosters you may not want.
You only need 4 materials to make this batch, and it yields 2 gallons of liquid laundry detergent. Grab a grater, a pot, a spoon, measuring cups, and a 2-gallon bucket so you can mix, thicken, and store the finished detergent without improvising halfway through.
- 🧰 Materials You'll Need
- 🔧 Tools & Equipment
- 🛠️ How to Make Liquid Laundry Detergent
- 🛠️ How to Use It
- 🎨 Customization Ideas
- 🛡️ Safety and Care
- 📦 Storage
- 💸 Cost Breakdown
- 🛍️ Need Help Finding Everything?
- ❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Liquid Laundry Detergent Recipe #1
- 📌 Love this Liquid Laundry Detergent Recipe #1? Pin it!
- 🖨️ Print-Friendly How-To: Liquid Laundry Detergent Recipe #1
Materials You’ll Need
- 3 pints water
- 1/3 bar Fels Naptha soap, grated
- 1/2 cup washing soda
- 1/2 cup borax
- 1 quart hot water
- Cold water, enough to fill a 2-gallon bucket
Tools & Equipment
- 2-gallon bucket
- Pot
- Grater
- Measuring cups
- Large spoon for stirring
How to Make Liquid Laundry Detergent
- Dissolve the grated Fels Naptha in 3 pints of water over low heat.
- Add the washing soda and borax.
- Stir until the mixture thickens, then remove it from the heat.
- Add 1 quart hot water to a 2-gallon bucket.
- Pour in the soap mixture and mix well.
- Fill the bucket with cold water and mix well again.
- Set the mixture aside for 24 hours, or until it thickens.
How to Use It
Use 1/2 cup of the finished mixture per load. Give it a quick stir before use if it sits long enough to separate or gel more firmly between loads.
If you want more homemade laundry options for different water conditions or stain levels, take a look at Hard Water Laundry Detergent or pair this with a Laundry Pre-Treat Spray for stubborn spots.
Customization Ideas
- Keep it unscented: Use the formula exactly as written if you prefer a plain laundry soap without added fragrance.
- Make a bigger laundry system: Pair this batch with other homemade wash-day staples, such as Liquid Laundry Detergent ideas or a dedicated stain treatment.
- Choose the batch that fits your water: If this version is not the best fit for your household, compare it with Soft or Hard Water Laundry Detergent options.
Safety and Care
Label the bucket or storage container clearly so nobody mistakes it for anything else, and keep the detergent out of reach of children and pets. If you transfer the finished detergent to smaller containers for daily use, make sure they stay closed and stored securely. The CDC also recommends keeping laundry detergents and other household cleaning products out of reach and out of sight of children, which is a smart rule for any homemade batch too: Health Hazards Associated with Laundry Detergent Pods.
Storage
Store the finished detergent in the same 2-gallon bucket with a secure lid or transfer it to clearly labeled containers that seal well. Keep it in a cool, dry spot in the laundry area and stir before use if the texture changes during storage.
Cost Breakdown
The original batch cost listed here is less than $0.75 for 2 gallons. That works out to an extremely low per-load cost at 1/2 cup per load, though your actual cost will vary by current local prices, package sizes, and where you buy the soap, washing soda, and borax.
🛍️ Need Help Finding Everything?
- Fels-Naptha laundry bar soap at Walmart
- ARM & HAMMER Super Washing Soda at Walmart
- 20 Mule Team Borax at Walmart
- 2-gallon bucket with lid on Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions about Liquid Laundry Detergent Recipe #1
Use 1/2 cup of the finished liquid laundry detergent per load. That measurement comes straight from this formula, so there’s no need to guess or eyeball it.
This batch makes 2 gallons of liquid laundry detergent. That’s why the recipe uses a 2-gallon bucket for the final mixing and thickening step.
Yes. The directions set the mixture aside for 24 hours, or until it thickens. That rest time is part of the original method, so don’t rush it.
Grating helps the soap dissolve more evenly in the 3 pints of water over low heat. Smaller pieces melt into the mixture faster than a chunked-up bar would.
Yes, as long as the containers seal well and you label them clearly. Keep them in your laundry area and store them where children and pets can’t reach them.
That can happen with homemade liquid detergent. Just stir it well before measuring out your 1/2 cup per load.
Not if you want to follow this specific formula. This recipe is written with both 1/2 cup borax and 1/2 cup washing soda, and changing that creates a different detergent.
Add 1 quart of hot water to the bucket first, then add the soap mixture, then fill the bucket with cold water. That sequence matters because it matches the original mixing method.
Only by the ingredients already in the formula. This version does not add any extra fragrance, which makes it a good fit if you want to keep the scent simple and light.
📌 Love this Liquid Laundry Detergent Recipe #1? Pin it!
Did you try this project? Tell us how the batch thickened for you, or what homemade laundry staples you keep on hand for wash day.
i tried the fav soap by liz sorry if i am miss spelling. i think i whipped it. i have about 3 inches of a soapy foam on the top of my bucket and the rest is this funky looking water.
I know that from reading other post is will be fine, but what did I do wrong??
i am so looking forward to trying this home made laundry detergent. i will post my results as soon as i get them. i read someone posted that their clothes came out dingy?
is this an issue with the home made detergent?
Can it be used in high efficiency washers?
Yes you can. Because of the low suds.