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 great, 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 gallons 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, I worried that these huge batches could develop mildew or mold before they were used up.
Liquid Laundry Detergent Trials
A few months ago I began making and testing my own liquid laundry detergent. My goals 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 the remaining 3 cups of boiling water.
- Cool to room temperature, the mixture will separate while cooling. (I let my detergent rest overnight. See separation in the picture below.)
- Combine separated mixture by blending or whisking until smooth. (Tip: Pour the mixture into 2 quart-size Mason jars before cooling, rest overnight, 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
- Use a glass or stainless steel pans and utensils when making this detergent. The washing soda (Sodium Carbonate) in the solution can damage the finish on aluminum.
- 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)
- Sal’s Suds – 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
- Use a glass or stainless steel pans and utensils when making this detergent. The washing soda (Sodium Carbonate) in the solution can damage the finish on aluminum.
- 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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Janice
Hi there!
If I did want to use grated soap, should I also use 1/2 cup? Or more? Thank you 😊
Love your liquid recipe btw…
Bren
Good question, Janice! You would have to make an adjustment for the amount of water in the liquid soap vs. bar soap (bar Castile soaps are around 5% water while liquid Castile soaps are around 61% water). So you would need less bar soap to equal the liquid soap in the recipe. For 1/2 cup of liquid Castile soap, you should substitute approximately 3.64 ounces of bar Castile soap (that’s about half a bar of Dr. Bronners). Hope this helps! Please note, I’ve not tried making the detergent with bar soap so I can’t promise how it will turn out! Please let me know if you try it.
Janice
Hi!
Thank you for the tips. So I did the recipe with kirks soap and I do not recommend anyone to do that 😂. I put it in a bottle afterwards like when I do it with Castile soap but it hardened so let’s say it took me a lot to take it out! Yeah, Castile soap is the best! Thanks anyway 😊
Kerry
Hi
I was just wondering if you’ve ever had any issues with your machine due to homemade detergent I’m keen to try my own but have read some articles suggesting it can damage your machine.
Thanks
Kerry
Bren
No, I’ve never had machine issues. My current HE top loader is 11 years old and working great. Of course, you should do whatever makes you comfortable! Good luck!
A. Black
Love the recipe but mine keeps turning to a jello consistency. What can I do to keep it liquid?
Bren
You can add a bit more water to thin to the desired consistency. Just up the amount, you use per load a little bit to account for the extra water.
robin gennarelli
Hi! Love this idea. Can you tell me what size bottle I should buy to store the easier liquid recipe in? Thank you!
Bren
I store mine in a 56-ounce bottle. It has a little extra room.
Erin Smith
I just made this and the solution took the finish off of the blades of my blender. I am concerned now that if I use the blender with food prep it will impart a metallic taste. Since the solution is so alkaline, may be best to use a designated non-food blender or to use a blending attachment for a power drill.
Bren
Erin, you should definitely use glass or stainless steel pans and utensils when making this detergent. The washing soda (Sodium Carbonate) in the solution can damage the finish on aluminum. If you think your blender blade has been damaged it may have been made from aluminum you should buy a replacement blade (they are usually about $10) before using it for food prep.
Suzanne Maule
Hi Bren, I have made this recipe about 4 times. Mine is never in a liquid state after I am done. Am I supposed to add more water to it the second day before blending it? Or, is the total of water only 5 cups?
Bren
Suzanne, if the detergent is too gelled you can add more water to thin it to the desired consistency, just up the amount you use per load to account for the extra water.
Diane Marie
Is it safe to store in a plastic container? When boiling in a pot does it effect your pot when you use it?
Bren
Daine, I like to store mine in glass to make sure there is no plastic leaching. You can store it in a sturdy plastic container (one that originally container detergent or cleaner). You should use only glass or stainless steel pans and utensils when making this detergent. The washing soda (Sodium Carbonate) in the solution can damage the finish on aluminum.
Jeri
I have 2 questions in reference to point 3: The mixture will thicken as baking soda is added until it is a pudding-like texture:
How long does it take for the mixture to thickens?
My stores are out of washing soda and I wondered if you have ever tried washing soda made from baking soda in the oven in this recipe?
thank you!
Bren
It thickens as it cools, sometimes this takes overnight. I have never tried making washing soda from baking soda in the oven as it is hard to be sure the chemical reaction occurred.
Tara Bublitz
Hello! Is this ok to use with HE washers? Would I need to put it directly in the drum or is it ok to place in the dispenser?
Thanks!
Tara
Bren
Tara, I use it in my top-loading HE washer. I have done both, added it to the drum and the dispenser with no problem. Of course, I always advise readers to do what they feel is best since you know your own washer!
Diane
How many cups does the liquid laundry detergent make? What is the difference between Castile soap vs Sals Suds?
I have finally discovered what was the root cause of my eczema. SLS and other junk. Since using Castile as a body wash and using it for other purposes and ridding everything that was causing and wrecking havoc on my skin.
Bren
Diane, the detergent recipe makes approximately 4.5 cups. Castile soap is a true liquid soap made from vegetable oils, Sals Suds is a detergent made from coconuts. Hope one of the recipes helps your skin!
Rose
Hi, Bren! I’m loving your site! 🙂 I just clicked on your link to purchase the Sal’s Suds – which I didn’t know before – and I read on amazon’s description that it contains SLS. That made me a little concerned, and I read above that Diane is also avoiding SLS due to eczema.
So, I’m here wondering how EWG rates Sal’s Suds A (or 0), or completely safe to health, once we have known from other sources (and from Diane’s comment above) that Sodium Lauryl Sulfate isn’t that great for our skin.
I understand that the SLS in this reciper of yours is not having direct contact with our skin, because the clothes will be rinsed afterwards anyway. So, it might not be a big deal. But still, I don’t understand how a product with SLS can be rated A.
Have you ever tried a substitute ingredient without SLS? I’d imagine it might not clean as well… what do you say? I have, so far, used Dr Bronner’s “soap” in my laundry (it’s even a little cheaper than Sal’s Sud). I also use it to wash dishes. It works great! But it’s not a cleaning agent, so for really grease dishes or grimmy socks I must use more of it to get a good result. But it’s 100% safe!
At any rate, thanks for all the tips! Your site is well put together and has great content! 🙂