Making your own homemade liquid laundry detergent is a great idea if you’re looking for a cost-effective, eco-friendly, and skin-friendly alternative to store-bought detergent. This simple recipe uses basic ingredients that you can find at your local grocery store and produces a homemade liquid laundry soap that works well in both high-efficiency washers and standard washing machines.

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Why Make Your Own Homemade Laundry Detergent?

Store-bought detergents often contain harsh chemicals that can irritate sensitive skin. Making your own homemade liquid laundry detergent allows you to control what goes into your soap mixture while saving money. With natural ingredients like liquid castile soap, baking soda, and essential oils, this detergent recipe is perfect for washing a variety of laundry needs.

Ingredients for Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent

4 cups of water (boiling)
1/2 cup liquid castile soap
1/2 cup washing soda (sodium carbonate)
1/4 cup baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
1/4 cup Epsom salt
20–30 drops of your favorite essential oil (optional)

Ingredient Breakdown and Benefits

Liquid Castile Soap

What it does:
Liquid castile soap serves as the primary cleaning agent in the detergent. Made from natural oils like coconut or olive oil, it’s gentle on fabrics and skin while being tough on dirt, grease, and stains.
Why it works well:
It creates a low-sudsing, effective cleaner that’s safe for both standard and high-efficiency washing machines. Unlike commercial detergents, castile soap is biodegradable and free of synthetic chemicals, making it eco-friendly.

Washing Soda (Sodium Carbonate)

What it does:
Washing soda is a powerful water softener and stain remover. It helps break down grease, oil, and dirt, enhancing the cleaning power of the detergent.
Why it works well:
Its alkalinity allows it to lift tough stains, neutralize odors, and improve the effectiveness of the liquid castile soap. Washing soda also prevents soap scum buildup, especially in areas with hard water.

Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate)

What it does:
Baking soda acts as a mild abrasive and deodorizer. It works to balance pH levels in the detergent, making it effective on delicate fabrics while removing odors.
Why it works well:
It complements washing soda by gently cleaning and deodorizing fabrics. Baking soda also boosts the detergent’s cleaning power without being too harsh on sensitive skin.

Epsom Salt

What it does:
Epsom salt helps soften water, which can otherwise reduce the effectiveness of soap and detergents. It also acts as a gentle fabric softener.
Why it works well:
By softening hard water, Epsom salt ensures the detergent can effectively penetrate fabric fibers to remove dirt. This is particularly helpful for people living in areas with mineral-rich water.

Essential Oils (Optional)

What it does:
Essential oils like lavender, tea tree, or lemon add a natural scent to your detergent and offer additional antimicrobial or antifungal properties, depending on the oil used.
Why it works well:
Essential oils provide a fresh, clean scent without relying on artificial fragrances. Oils like tea tree and eucalyptus also help fight bacteria, making them great for items like cloth diapers or workout clothes.

Boiling Water

What it does:
The boiling water helps dissolve the washing soda, baking soda, and Epsom salt, ensuring the detergent has a smooth consistency.
Why it works well:
Properly dissolving these ingredients prevents clumping and ensures they distribute evenly throughout the mixture, enhancing the detergent’s cleaning power.

Instructions for Making Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent

Boil the Water

Start by bringing 4 cups of water to a rolling boil. Use a medium-sized pot and high heat to ensure the water is hot enough to dissolve all the ingredients. Keep an eye on the water to prevent it from boiling over.

Prepare Your Half-Gallon Jar

In a clean, heat-resistant glass half-gallon jar, add the liquid castile soap, washing soda, baking soda, and Epsom salt. These are the core ingredients that will create the base for your detergent.

Combine the Dry and Liquid Ingredients

Once the water reaches a rolling boil, carefully pour it into the jar over the dry ingredients. Use a heat-resistant spoon or spatula to stir the mixture. Stir slowly and consistently to ensure the washing soda, baking soda, and Epsom salt dissolve completely. If you notice any clumps, continue stirring until the mixture is smooth.

Fill with Room-Temperature Water

After the dry ingredients have dissolved in the boiling water, slowly pour room-temperature water into the jar to fill it to the top. Stir gently to combine the liquid layers.

Add Essential Oils (Optional)

If you prefer your detergent to be scented, add 20–30 drops of your favorite essential oils. Lavender, tea tree, lemon, or eucalyptus are popular choices. Essential oils not only add a pleasant aroma but can also provide extra cleaning power. Stir well to distribute the scent evenly throughout the detergent.

Cool and Store

Allow the mixture to cool completely before sealing the jar with an airtight lid. This prevents pressure from building up inside the jar. Once cool, your liquid laundry detergent is ready for use.

Give It a Shake Before Use

Over time, the ingredients may separate slightly. Before each use, give the jar a good shake to ensure the soap mixture is well-blended.

Tips for Using Your Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap

Use 1/4 to 1/2 cup per load of laundry, depending on the size of the load and the dirt level.
If the detergent separates over time, give the jar a good shake before each use.
Store the mixture in airtight containers to maintain freshness. You can also pour it into smaller containers for easier use.

Benefits of Homemade Laundry Detergent

Saves money: A small investment in natural ingredients can yield multiple loads of laundry, saving you from constantly buying expensive commercial detergent.
Eco-friendly: You’ll reduce plastic waste by reusing jars and avoiding plastic containers.
Gentle on sensitive skin: Say goodbye to the harsh chemicals in store-bought detergent and enjoy a milder formula for the whole family.

Extra Tips for First-Timers

If this is your first time making your own detergent, start with a small batch to test its effectiveness on your laundry.
Use a video tutorial or YouTube videos if you prefer visual guidance.
For added convenience, keep a funnel and smaller containers in your laundry room for easy refills.

Conclusion

Making your own liquid laundry detergent is a simple, cost-effective, and eco-friendly way to keep your clothes clean while avoiding the harsh chemicals found in commercial detergents. By using natural ingredients like liquid castile soap, washing soda, baking soda, and essential oils, you can create a powerful yet gentle detergent that’s safe for sensitive skin and tough on dirt.

This DIY recipe is not only effective but also customizable to your preferences, whether you want a light, natural scent or an unscented option. With just a little bit of effort and a small investment in basic ingredients, you’ll have a high-quality detergent that saves money, reduces waste, and leaves your laundry fresh and clean.