Let’s be honest, those expensive jugs of laundry detergent that contain difficult-to-pronounce ingredients are outdated. Yeah, they’ve had their time.
Say goodbye to store-bought and hello to a cleaner, cheaper, non-toxic version made with just a few simple ingredients like liquid castile soap. It’s DIY done right.
Over the years, I’ve gone down the rabbit hole of DIY laundry soaps Seriously, I’ve tested more versions than I can count.
One didn’t clean the clothes, another smelled like cardboard, and the rest were just… meh.
So, I kept testing, tweaking, and adjusting until I finally landed on this one. And let me tell you, this recipe is the one.
It actually works, it’s kind to your clothes, gentle on your skin, and your wallet will thank you too. Whether you want a small batch or are ready to commit to a 5-gallon bucket, this recipe has you covered. Oh, and it’s totally safe for HE machines too.
Want to save a little extra? You can swap out the liquid castile soap for a bar (just grate and melt), but I personally go for liquid because it’s fast, fuss-free, and still cheaper than those “natural” brands at the store.
How Many Loads Does It Make?
This recipe yields one gallon of homemade laundry soap. If you use 1/4 cup per load (like I do), you’ll get 64 loads from a single batch.
Want to make a big batch in one go? Quadruple it and store it in a 5-gallon bucket boom, 256 loads.
Let’s break it down:
- 1 load per day = Over 8 months of clean laundry. You’ll only make this recipe twice a year.
- 2 loads per day (big family life) = Over 4 months covered, only 3 batches a year. Easy peasy.
What’s the Cost Per Load?
The cost per load is a mere $0.08. Yes, really.
Here’s the breakdown for a one-gallon batch (64 loads total):
- Washing Soda (1 cup) – $0.71
- Borax (1 cup) – $0.74
- Liquid Castile Soap (1 cup) – $3.99
Total: $5.44
Want to go even cheaper? You can use a bar of castile soap instead; just grate and melt.
That brings it down to just $0.02 per load, though it takes a little more time to make.
Ingredients
- 1 cup washing soda
- 1 cup borax
- 1 cup liquid castile soap (I’m a fan of lavender scented)
- 13 cups water
Supplies You’ll Need
- Gallon glass jar or 5-gallon bucket (ideally with a spout for easy pouring)
- Large pot for boiling water
- Spoon for stirring
- Funnel (optional but handy)
One-Gallon Instructions
- In a large pot, bring 6 cups of water to a low boil.
- Stir in 1 cup each of castile soap, borax, and washing soda until fully dissolved. Remove from heat.
- Add the remaining 7 cups of cool water. Stir to combine.
- Pour into your storage container (I love repurposing a glass tea jug or old detergent bottle).
- Let it sit for 24 hours with the lid on to thicken. It’ll go from yellowish and clear to a smooth, white gel.
- Shake or stir if needed before using. Store as-is or transfer to smaller bottles with dispensers.
- Use 1/4 cup per load.
Five-Gallon (4x Batch) Instructions
- Boil 24 cups (1.5 gallons) of water.
- In a 5-gallon bucket, add 4 cups each of castile soap, borax, and washing soda.
- Pour in the hot water and stir until everything is dissolved.
- Add 28 more cups (1.75 gallons) of cold tap water.
- Cover and let it sit for 24 hours to thicken. The texture will shift to an even white gel.
- Stir or shake before using and transfer to smaller containers if needed.
- Use 1/4 cup per load.
Tips for Success
- Be patient: the gel takes about a day to fully form.
- If it gets clumpy (especially in colder temps), just give it a stir or shake.
- Start with a small batch if you’re unsure. If you love it (you will), level up to the 5-gallon size.
- Add essential oils for a personal touch I like citrus or lavender. Mix a few drops into the castile soap before adding water.
- Store the detergent in an airtight container. I keep a smaller jug handy in my laundry room and stash the rest in the basement.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a chemistry degree or a giant budget to create an effective, clean, and great-smelling laundry soap.
Once you try this easy homemade version, those overpriced store-bought bottles will be a thing of the past.
And with the option to customize the scent and make it in bulk, it’s a total laundry game-changer.
