Store-bought liquid detergent gets expensive fast, especially when you just need a simple mix that cleans everyday laundry without a lot of fuss. This version turns a powdered laundry mix into an easy-to-use liquid detergent with just warm water and glycerin, so you can skip another bottle from the store (your laundry room shelves have suffered enough).
Mix very well, we've used a hand mixer with great success! The glycerin helps to hold the ingredients all together and prevents them from separating. Glycerin is often found in the pharmacy section of most grocery stores or supermarkets, or you can get it online at amazon as well.
A comparable bottle of liquid laundry detergent at the store often costs far more per load than a homemade batch built from an existing powdered mix, and this version stretches what you already made. It also gives you better control over the final texture and scent because you choose the powdered base and use glycerin specifically to help hold the mixture together.
You only need 3 materials for this batch: one cup of prepared powdered laundry mix, glycerin, and warm water. The method uses a bucket, bowl, or other container for mixing, and a hand mixer helps blend it smoothly. This makes one batch of liquid laundry detergent to use at a rate of 1/4 to 1/3 cup per load.
- 🧰 Materials You'll Need
- 🔧 Tools & Equipment
- 🛠️ How to Make Liquid Laundry Detergent Recipe #4
- 🛠️ How to Use It
- 🎨 Customization Ideas
- 🛡️ Safety and Care
- 📦 Storage
- 💸 Estimated Cost
- 🛍️ Need Help Finding Everything?
- ❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Liquid Laundry Detergent Recipe #4
- 📌 Love this Liquid Laundry Detergent Recipe #4? Pin it!
- 🖨️ Print-Friendly How-To: Liquid Laundry Detergent Recipe #4
Materials You’ll Need
- 1 cup any prepared powdered laundry detergent mix
- 2 tablespoons glycerin
- 2 cups warm water
Tools & Equipment
- Bucket, bowl, or other mixing container
- Hand mixer, optional but helpful
- Measuring cups and measuring spoons
How to Make Liquid Laundry Detergent Recipe #4
- Measure 1 cup of any prepared powdered laundry detergent mix into a bucket, bowl, or other container.
- Add 2 tablespoons glycerin and 2 cups warm water.
- Mix very well until the ingredients are fully combined. A hand mixer works well for this step.
- Use the finished detergent as needed for regular laundry loads.
The glycerin helps hold the ingredients together and helps prevent the mixture from separating.
If you need a powdered base first, try Hard Water Laundry Detergent, Soft or Hard Water Laundry Detergent, or Strong Laundry Detergent (Heavily Soiled Clothing) Powdered.
How to Use It
- Use 1/4 to 1/3 cup per load.
- Choose the lower amount for lighter loads and the higher amount when clothes need a little more cleaning power.
- If your laundry regularly deals with heavier stains, pair it with a separate pretreat product such as Laundry Pre-Treat Spray.
Customization Ideas
- For hard water: Start with a powdered hard water detergent mix.
- For softer water: Use a powdered mix formulated for soft or mixed water conditions.
- For heavily soiled clothing: Make this liquid version with a stronger powdered detergent base.
- For a simpler routine: Mix small batches so you can switch formulas based on your laundry needs instead of committing to one large container.
Safety and Care
Store this detergent in a labeled container and keep it out of reach of children and pets. The American Cleaning Institute also recommends keeping laundry products in their original labeled containers when possible, closing them promptly after use, and never combining laundry detergents with ammonia or other household cleaning agents because some mixtures can release irritating gases. See their laundry safety tips here.
Wash any measuring tools you use for dispensing the detergent before using them for anything else.
Storage
- Keep the finished detergent in a tightly closed, clearly labeled container.
- Store it in your laundry area, away from food storage and out of reach of children and pets.
- If the mixture sits and settles a bit over time, stir or shake it well before measuring a load.
Estimated Cost
This batch uses a small amount of prepared powdered detergent mix plus 2 tablespoons glycerin, so the consumable cost is low if you already keep a homemade powdered laundry mix on hand. Because the exact powdered base can vary and the source formula allows several different mixes, Estimated Cost: Not calculated for this version.
🛍️ Need Help Finding Everything?
- Glycerin, 6 fl oz at Walmart
- Glycerin, 6 fl oz on Amazon
- Hard Water Laundry Detergent
- Soft or Hard Water Laundry Detergent
- Strong Laundry Detergent (Heavily Soiled Clothing) Powdered
Frequently Asked Questions about Liquid Laundry Detergent Recipe #4
Yes. This version is designed to work with any of the prepared powdered laundry detergent mixes listed in the article. Your powdered base determines whether the finished liquid works better for hard water, soft water, lighter soil, or heavier soil.
The glycerin helps hold the ingredients together and helps keep the mixture from separating. That is its job in this particular formula, so it is not just filler.
No. You can stir it by hand in a bucket, bowl, or similar container. A hand mixer just makes blending easier and quicker.
Use 1/4 to 1/3 cup per load. Start with the smaller amount for everyday laundry and move up if the load is larger or dirtier.
Yes, as long as you keep the same ratio of powdered mix, glycerin, and warm water. If you scale it up, label the container clearly so nobody mistakes it for something else, because laundry day does not need extra chaos.
Give it a good stir or shake before using it. The recipe uses glycerin to help prevent separation, but homemade liquid mixtures can still settle over time.
That is a bad idea. Use a clearly labeled container meant for household products, and keep it out of reach of children and pets. Reusing food or drink containers for detergent invites exactly the kind of confusion you do not want.
Not necessarily. This recipe works as your main wash detergent, but heavily stained items may still need a separate pretreat step before washing.
It is often stocked in the pharmacy section of grocery stores or supermarkets, and it is also widely available online.
📌 Love this Liquid Laundry Detergent Recipe #4? Pin it!
Did you try this detergent mix? Tell me which powdered base you used and whether you kept it for everyday loads, hard water, or heavier stains.
Where can one buy glycerin?