These two easy recipes for laundry detergent liquid makes 14 loads of non-toxic laundry detergent for about $3.oo and rates an A on the Environmental Working Group (EWG) Healthy Cleaning scale. Learn the simple way to make liquid detergent in small batches.
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Homemade Laundry Detergent
I have been making my own natural homemade laundry detergent for close to three years. It's an easy powdered detergent recipe that has no dangerous chemicals or additives, works greats, and is cost effective.
I love the powdered detergent but it does require grated Castile soap. Since I have not found pre-grated Castile soap this means a bit of extra effort to make the detergent.
Liquid Detergent Requests
Multiple readers have asked me to make a liquid detergent recipe, either because they don't want to grate soap (who can blame them) or they prefer liquid detergent. I get it… I was a liquid laundry detergent user when I purchased detergent.
So, what's taken me so long? Honestly, I could never find a liquid detergent recipe that was easy to make, worked well, and didn't produce gallon and gallons of detergent. Who has the storage space for a 5-gallon bucket of detergent anyway? And, since homemade detergent does not usually contain preservatives, could it develop mildew or mold before it was used up?
Liquid Laundry Detergent Trials
A few months ago I began making and testing my own liquid laundry detergent. My goal were simple, I wanted an effective liquid laundry detergent that:
- Does not contain Borax.
- Borax use is somewhat controversial in green circles; it is a naturally occurring mineral, but it is also toxic. Read more at MNN.
- Does not require melting or grating soap.
- Is easy to make (and store) in small batches.
- Scores well on the Environmental Working Group (EWG) Healthy Cleaning scale
It took me several months, 15 different batches of laundry detergent, and a few soapy kitchen messes… but I have succeeded!
These 2 non-toxic recipes make small batches of laundry detergent liquid using either Castile soap or Sal's Suds. The Castile version is a bit trickier to make, but both work great and are more affordable than store bought versions.
Version 1 – Laundry Detergent Liquid with Castile Soap
Ingredients
- Super Washing Soda – 7 oz (2/3 cup)
- Baking Soda- 1.5 oz (3 Tbsp)
- Liquid Castile soap – 1/2 cup, any scent –
- Water– 5 cups, divided
Directions
- Bring 5 cups of water to a boil.
- Pour washing soda into a large glass bowl then slowly stir in 2 cups of boiling water until washing soda is completely dissolved.
- Add one tablespoon of baking soda at a time and stir well to combine. The mixture will thicken as baking soda is added until it is a pudding-like texture.
- Stir in ½ cup Castile soap until well combined. Slowly stir in remaining 3 cups of boiling water.
- Cool to room temperature, the mixture will separate while cooling. (See separation in picture below.)
- Combine separated mixture by blending or whisking until smooth. (Tip: Pour the mixture into two quart size Mason jars before cooling then screw on a blender bottom to easily blend until smooth.)
- Store liquid detergent in a glass bottle. Use 1/3 cup per load of laundry
Healthy Cleaner Rating and Cost
This DIY laundry detergent scores an A on the Environmental Working Group (EWG) Healthy Cleaning scale.
- Each of the ingredients (baking soda, washing soda, and Castile soap) have earned the highest safety rating.
- The EWG scale was designed to protect humans and the environment from dangerous chemicals.
The detergent is cost effective at $0.24 a load, my favorite commercial laundry detergent costs about $0.30 a load.
| Laundry Detergent Liquid with Castile | Cost per Batch | EWG Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Super Washing Soda (I use this kind.) | $0.50 | A |
| Baking Soda (I use this kind.) | $.007 | A |
| Liquid Castile Soap (I use this kind.) | $2.56 | A (or 0) |
| Total Cost | $3.13 | |
| Cost Per Load (1/3 cup or 13 loads) | $0.24 |
Notes on Using Laundry Detergent Liquid with Castile Soap
- Make sure to fully dissolve the washing soda completely while making or the detergent will be gritty .
- If the detergent sits for an extended period of time it many separate, stir or shake to combine.
- The detergent has a thin gel like consistency, pour directly on top of clothes instead of using your liquid detergent dispenser.
- Use vinegar in the rinse water for extra softness. Add it to the fabric softener dispenser or use a Downy Ball filled with white vinegar. It automatically releases the vinegar during the rinse cycle.
Version 2 – Laundry Detergent Liquid with Sal's Suds
Ingredients
- Super Washing Soda – 7 oz (2/3 c)
- Liquid Castile soap – 1/2 cup
- Water – 4 cups, divided
Directions
- Bring 4 cups of water to a boil.
- Pour washing soda into a large glass bowl then slowly stir in 2 cups of boiling water until washing soda is completely dissolved.
- Stir in ½ cup Sal’s Suds until well combined. Then slowly stir in remaining 2 cups of boiling water.
- Cool to room temperature, store in a glass bottle. Use ¼ cup liquid detergent per load.
Healthy Cleaner Rating and Cost
This DIY laundry detergent scores an A on the Environmental Working Group (EWG) Healthy Cleaning scale.
- Each of the ingredients (baking soda and Sal's Suds) have earned the highest safety rating.
- The EWG scale was designed to protect humans and the environment from dangerous chemicals.
The detergent is cost effective at $0.26 a load, my favorite commercial laundry detergent costs about $0.30 a load.
| Laundry Detergent Liquid with Castile | Cost per batch | EWG Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Super Washing Soda (I use this kind.) | $0.50 | A |
| Sal's Suds (I use this kind.) | $3.20 | A (or 0) |
| Total Cost | $3.70 | |
| Cost Per Load (1/4 cup or 16 loads) | $0.26 |
Notes on Using Laundry Detergent Liquid with Sal's Suds
- Make sure to fully dissolve the washing soda completely while making or the detergent will be gritty .
- If the detergent sits for an extended period of time it many slightly separate, stir or shake to combine.
- Use vinegar in the rinse water for extra softness. Add it to the fabric softener dispenser or use a Downy Ball filled with white vinegar. It automatically releases the vinegar during the rinse cycle.
More Natural Laundry Solutions
If you're concerned about chemicals in your home check out some of my other green laundry tutorials:
Natural Homemade Fabric Softener (it can be used in the washer or dryer)
All-Natural Stain Sauce for Laundry (It's a great stain pre-treater)
All-Purpose Cleanser (it's great for all-purpose household cleaning and laundry stains)
Natural Homemade Laundry Detergent (The original powdered detergent I have been using for years)
How to Natural Clean Smelly Towels (Learn how to get towels clean and fresh, naturally)
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Could you use this in an HE machine and would you put it in the dispenser?
Karen, Did you get an answer to this? I don’t see one.
Thank you!
You use the same amount in a HE or regular machine. Hope you like the DIY laundry detergent!
Thank you! Just made it! So excited to try it today!
Would you also use the same amount?
Yes, use the same amount in a HE or regular machine.
I’m stoked to try these out – I have such sensitive skin it’s actually really difficult to find brands I can use on my clothes! This will be a great alternative – I don’t know why I’ve never thought of making my own (duh!)
-Clarissa @ The View From Here
Thanks Clarissa! My favorite laundy detergent is my Grade A Borax Free Laundry Powder, it makes 320 loads! This liquid version is great for smaller batches and people who like liquid detergent.
This is the second time I’ve made this it’s great no grating feels naptha( my family hated the smell I had to do it outside). No five gallon bucket to find room for and no stirring of the detergent before decanting it usually spilled or the drill we used for mixing the stuff usually went all over the place. I can use my extra large ball jars. My family does not do fragrance of any kind so this works for them too. Nobody is breaking out with any rashes it’s a winner for us. Another boon is the small amount means less outlay of money and it’s extremely easy to make. By the way I have a front loading machine.
Thank you.
I’m so glad you like the recipe, Karen! I made powdered detergent with grated castile too, but I agree it’s nice to not have to grate.
I’m trying to get the house completely switched over from store bought to natural homemade cleaning and hygiene products by may. I’ve found great recipes for certain thing but still have to be careful due to certain diseases, one of which is Celiac Disease, I have not tried laundry detergent yet.
Have you heard from anyone with Celiac or other heath issues about how this detergent works for them? Do you recommend the Castile or seals suds with health issues and skin sensitivities
We have sensitive skin (eczema) in our house and I use the Castile soap version. I primarily use my homemade powdered detergent. I do use Sal’s Suds for cleaning. I am not sure about Celiac Disease and the detergent, sorry!
I live in Australia and would love to try your detergents, but am not sure what the equivalent ingredients would be here. Can you help me please
Hi, Tanja. What ingredient are you unsure about?
Hi Bren
The washing soda. I have never heard of that. Is it like baking soda which I think is bicarbonate of soda.
Thank you for clarifying it for me as I can’t wait to try out the recipes.
Tanja
Tanja, washing soda is Sodium Carbonate (Na2CO3). You can read about the differences between washing soda and baking soda here. Let me know if you have more questions! 🙂
Is this ok to use in an HE washer?
I use it in my HE top loader washing machine. I put the detergent on top of the clothes not in the dispenser.
Hi! Love your blog and these recipes – the simpler, the better! I was wondering if you could store either recipes into a recycled plastic bottle? I have an old Seventh Generation laundry bottle I’d like to use for this and was wondering if that’d be an issue? I live in a complex with a shared laundry room so I’d like to avoid transporting glass back and forth. Thanks in advance!
Jasmine, great question! You should be fine storing it in a recycled laundry detergent bottle. I would make sure the mixture is cool before pouring it into the bottle since the boiling water could leach chemicals from the plastic. Good luck!
Have you ever tried adding Epsom salt to you laundry detergent. I had read it softens the water and is a good fabric softener. Thoughts on adding it to these recipes?
Thanks!
Becky, I have used it in my powdered detergent but did think it made much of a difference so I use white vinegar in the rinse instead.
Hi,
I made the detergent with castile a week ago, its turned into a nearly solid state. Its not liquid enough for a good shaking. Any ideas what happened?
It can be a variation in water hardness or the brand of castile used. You can still use the soap, just blend it with a stick blender or give it a whirl in the blender. You can add a bit more water while blending if desired (blend first then see if it needs more water). Hope this helps!
If I dump the gel on the clothes, it is just on one spot. Will it spread well?
ALso, I found the second step : the baking soda is very hard to melt well in hot water. any suggestion?
Thanks
Mariana, yes the liquid detergent will spread when added to the laundry. If it is too thick you can thin it with additional water. Try adding the baking soda a little at a time to make it easier to combine. Good luck! -Bren
In the instructions you tell us when to add the 2cups out if the 5.. but when do you add the remaining 3 cups? I read the instructions multiple times but couldn’t find where.. is it during the mixing in the blender process? I want to make sure I’m making it right. Thanks!
It’s in step 4 – “Stir in ½ cup Castile soap until well combined. Slowly stir in remaining 3 cups of boiling water.” Hope you like the detergent.
Hi,
I made this earlier today and my detergent has turned into a foam-like consistency, can I still use it? It’s like more liquidy but a foam. Let me know!
If you used the same ingredients as the recipe it should still work great! Hope you enjoy!
Hello! I am wanting to try your liquid detergent.
When I added the baking soda to the water after the washing soda dissolves, it just hardens, and I can’t get the baking soda to dissolve.
I tried adding it to cold water first, but then the water doesn’t gel up. Am I doing this wrong, or do I need to stir the baking soda longer after it goes into the hot water?
Thanks!
Sarah, try sprinkling the baking soda (one tablespoon at a time) across the top of the hot water and stir to dissolve before adding the next tablespoon. If it doesn’t dissolve 100% the detergent will still work just give it a shake before using. The sprinkling should keep the detergent from developing any large lumps. Good luck!
I’m having this same problem. (Whisking/smashing the baking soda while typing) I had already read this comment & reply, so I made sure to sprinkle it in, (actually only got 1/2Tbsp) & it created a sheet on top of the water. It’s now broken into little flakes & clumps, but not dissolving. I’ve been smashing & stirring it with my wisk, but it doesn’t seem to be making much difference. Guess I’ll keep trying.
Sorry you’re having problems, Keira. Is you water very hot? The detergent will still work with some undissolved baking soda just shake before using.
Thank you!
I’ll try that. 🙂
I waited 2 weeks to leave this comment. I made the liquid laundry detergent with Sal’s Suds. I’ve put this detergent through the test for 2 weeks. This recipe is awesome. I’ve used it on my husband’s workout clothes, towels, and my son’s stinky clothes. It actually takes all the bad odor out of the clothes. It’s amazing on musky towels. I’ve tried everything to get rid of that musky towel smell. So, I used this recipe on the towels and it actually worked. No musky smell. It actually smells like nothing…the towels smell like nothing. I can’t believe it actually worked on the towels. And it’s cheap to make. And it’s homemade. Unbelievable. Thank you for this recipe.
Thanks for commenting, Liz! I’m so glad the recipe is working great for you!
I have a question. I too had trouble dissolving the washing soda. I tried all your recommendations to dissolve, but it didn’t dissolve completely. I have a gas stove. One thing that worked for me was to pour some of the boiling water into the glass bowl. Then place the glass bowl directly on top of the stovetop grate, under simmer heat. Then, I stirred 2 tablespoons of washing soda until completely dissolved, then added additional 2 tablespoons at a time until completely dissolved, and continued to do this. It hasn’t blown up in my face or caught on fire. But my question is, does the washing soda lose its potency if I put it directly on top of the grate on simmer heat? Should I be worried flammability?
My rationale:
The reason why I put the glass bowl on the stove with simmer heat is because I felt that as I added the soda in the water, the temperature may have gotten cooler which prevented the washing soda from dissolving. So I figured, if I put it on the stove, there is constant heat. I’m not sure if this a good rationale or not. Now I’m concerned that maybe I messed with the potency.
I would not put the glass bowl directly over the flame for fear that the bowl would break. If you want to keep the water hot you can place the glass bowl full of water on top of a pan 1/4 full of boiling water. The pan is over the heat not the bowl. (You are essentially making a double boiler.) The water boiling in the pan keeps the water in the glass bowl hot. Choose a bowl that fits tightly over the pan and be careful not to let the pan boil dry. Hope this makes sense!
Yes, thank you for the advice. Oh, does this technique decrease it’s potency?
No, it should not change the potency (as long as you do not leave it on the heat for an extended period of time).
Hi. I made this is a pure liquid. Both sodas dissolved pretty quickly. I bought a different brand of laundry soap (not Arm & Hammer), so not sure if that would affect it. Should I add some more? It is pretty much a pure liquid detergent. Thanks!
DId you mean a different brand of baking soda (Arm & Hammer)? If it is pure baking soda it will not make a difference. It’s okay if the detergent is a liquid not a gel it will still work the same.
Hi, I just made this and am running a load of laundry right now. 1/3 cup doesn’t seem to be enough. The water doesn’t feel soapy at all and there are no bubbles. Is that normal? I just want to make sure the clothes are getting clean. It’s a pretty large load. Thanks.
This detergent will not bubble much at all. I would try a load and see how you think it worked before adding more per load. Good luck!
For your favorite Grade A Borax free Laundry Powder, you just pour directly onto the clothes correct?
I am having a hard time deciding whether or not to do the liquid or powder!! I have used liquid ever since I can remember!
I pour both the Grade A Borax Free Laundry Detergent and the Liquid Laundry Detergent directly on top of the clothes. Before I made my own powdered detergent I only used liquid detergent, now I mostly use powdered!
Can essential oil be added to make it have a smell?