Economical Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap

Submitted by Kim D.

"This homemade laundry soap can really help save money, plus it seems to work as well as the store bought soap. It cost about .30 cents per gallon to make! Prep time does not include letting the mixture set for 24 hours. NOTE I still use Downy in my Downy Ball to make my clothes soft!"

 

• Ready In: 35mins
• Ingredients: 6
• Yields: 2 quarts

ingredients

• 6 cups water
• 1⁄3 bar fels naptha laundry detergent, grated
• 1⁄2 cup arm & hammer super washing soda laundry detergent, booster (NOT baking soda!)
• 1⁄2 cup 20-mule team borax laundry detergent
• 1 quart hot water
• hot water

directions

1. Fill a saucepan with 6 cups water and add grated Fels Naptha soap.
2. Heat on low until soap is dissolved.
3. Stir in Washing soda and borax.
4. Stir until thickened, and remove from heat.
5. Add 1 quart hot water to 2 gallon bucket.
6. Add soap mixture, and mix well.
7. Fill bucket with hot water, and mix well.
8. Set aside for 24 hours.
9. Don't forget to cover the bucket to keep small children and pets out.
10. Mixture will thicken and gel.
11. Use 1/2 cup of mixture per load.
12. If clothes are heavily soiled, use 1 cup of the mixture per load.

Reviews

[mybirdzone]

I use a recipe similar to this I found online. The recipe I use calls for exact measurements of water and it yields 2 gallons. Other than the water amounts the rest of ingredients are the same. Yes, it is supposed to be a gel like substance. It helps to stir or shake before each use. We have a front loader that uses conserves water and I have had no trouble using this soap on anything. At first I worried the fels naptha would be too strong for my toddler but it's fine. It gets your clothes super clean without leaving any residue behind. I have used a downy ball with white vinegar in the rinse but found it wasn't necessary. I've given this laundry soap to friends and all have raved over it and ask for the recipe. As much laundry as I do, it costs pennies a load now. I've been making my own laundry soap since spring 2009.

 

[BeanBellyKelly]

I love this, it has a fresh clean smell, never any problem with it, gets my clothes sooooo clean!

 

[Tracy3906]

This is my recipe too! (I got it from The Queen of Clean.) I add about 10 drops of Sweet Orange essential oil to it. LOVELY!

 

[mammafishy]

I have used this for the last year or so. I have to say after trying it as a laundry detergent I did not like it. My whites would turn grey and it seemed like it would "eat up" my towels. It is very strong in that way I think. But we LOVE it as a cleaner and put it in a spray bottle. If you want to see your kitchen sink and faucets shine, you have to try this. I couldn't find anything that would clean my textured shower floor and thought I would just pour some in and scrub that way....wherever it laid it was white under there...that was before scrubing it! We love the smell...I will use ZEST 'clean linen' scent and just a touch of lavender in it. I would say just be careful and test a small spot before trying it the first time on something new to make sure you have good results with it. (Don't put it on anything painted)

 

[Dayzi8]

I have been using a version of this for at least 2 years, not sure how long exactly. I love it. It's very easy to make, I make about 3 gallons at a time. I think i gets clothes just as clean as commercial laundry detergent and i do not miss the fragrance. You can always add your own if you like the smelly stuff but I don't personally like it. It's a great recipe and it's cheap. It's also great for sensitive skin.