DIY Laundry Detergent in 6 Easy Steps

If you enjoy making your own household cleaning products, homemade laundry detergent can be a simple DIY project to try.

With just a few ingredients, you can make a large batch of laundry soap at home and customize your laundry routine without buying another bottle or box of detergent every few weeks.

Our original DIY laundry detergent recipe uses Fels-Naptha laundry soap, washing soda, Borax, and water. Below, we’ll walk you through how to make it in six easy steps, plus some important things to know before using homemade laundry detergent in your washing machine.

Before You Make Homemade Laundry Detergent

First, check your washing machine owner’s manual.

Many newer washing machines, especially front-loading and high-efficiency models, are designed specifically for HE laundry detergent. Homemade laundry soap may not meet the detergent requirements recommended by your appliance manufacturer.

If your washer requires HE detergent, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations rather than using a homemade formula.

For washers that are compatible with homemade laundry soap, this recipe is an easy place to start.

What You’ll Need to Make DIY Laundry Detergent

You only need a few basic ingredients and supplies.

Ingredients

• 1/2 bar Fels-Naptha Laundry Soap
• 1 cup Borax
• 1 cup washing soda
• Water

Supplies

• 5-gallon bucket with a lid
• Box grater or food processor
• Old cooking pot that will not be used for food preparation
• Measuring cup
• Long spoon for mixing
• Rubber gloves
• Smaller containers for storage, if desired

Safety tip: Keep laundry products and homemade cleaning mixtures clearly labeled and stored securely away from children and pets. Avoid contact with eyes and follow the safety instructions provided on each ingredient’s packaging.

How to Make Homemade Laundry Detergent

Ready to give it a try? Here’s how to make a batch in six simple steps.

Step 1: Heat the Water

Measure four cups of water into an old cooking pot.

Place the pot on the stove over medium heat. You want the water hot enough to melt the grated laundry soap without vigorously boiling.

Step 2: Grate the Laundry Soap

Cut approximately half of a bar of Fels-Naptha laundry soap.

Use a box grater to finely grate the soap.

You can also use a food processor, but we recommend using equipment dedicated to household products rather than equipment you regularly use for food preparation.

The smaller the soap pieces are, the easier they will be to dissolve.

Step 3: Melt the Soap

Slowly add the grated soap to the heated water.

Stir the mixture as it heats until the soap has completely dissolved. This may take around 10 minutes.

Continue stirring to keep pieces of soap from settling on the bottom of the pot.

Step 4: Prepare Your Bucket

Fill a 5-gallon bucket approximately halfway with hot water.

Make sure the bucket is clean and placed somewhere stable where you can safely mix the ingredients.

Step 5: Combine the Ingredients

Carefully pour the melted soap mixture into the bucket.

Add:

• 1 cup Borax
• 1 cup washing soda

Use a long spoon to stir everything thoroughly.

Make sure you reach all the way to the bottom of the bucket so the ingredients are evenly distributed.

Step 6: Add Water and Let It Rest

Add additional hot water until the bucket is nearly full, leaving approximately two to three inches of space at the top.

Stir the mixture again.

Place the lid securely on the bucket and allow the mixture to sit for at least 24 hours.

Don’t worry if the finished detergent does not look exactly like store-bought laundry detergent. Soap-based homemade detergent may thicken, separate, or develop a gel-like consistency as it cools. Stirring it again can help redistribute the ingredients.

You can leave it in the bucket or transfer it to smaller, clearly labeled containers for easier storage.

How Much Homemade Laundry Detergent Should You Use?

There is no universal amount of homemade detergent that is appropriate for every washing machine. Washer designs, water levels, water hardness, load sizes, and detergent requirements can all vary.

Before using this recipe, check your washing machine’s owner’s manual.

Using too much laundry product can also cause residue to remain on clothing or inside the washing machine, so more is not necessarily better. If you decide to use homemade laundry soap, start conservatively and watch for signs that it is not rinsing cleanly.

Can You Use Homemade Laundry Detergent in a Front-Load or HE Washer?

This is one of the most important things to check before using a DIY recipe.

High-efficiency washers use less water than traditional washers and are designed to work with low-sudsing HE detergents. Many appliance manufacturers specifically recommend using only detergent marked with the HE symbol.

If your front-load or high-efficiency washer requires HE detergent, a homemade soap mixture like this recipe may not be the right choice.

When in doubt, follow the recommendations in your washer’s owner’s manual.

Is Homemade Laundry Detergent Actually Detergent?

Not exactly.

Many DIY “laundry detergent” recipes are more accurately described as laundry soap because they rely on grated soap as the primary cleaning ingredient.

Commercial laundry detergents are formulated differently and typically contain ingredients designed to suspend soil, work in different water conditions, rinse effectively, and perform in modern washing machines.

That does not mean you cannot experiment with a homemade option if your washer allows it. It simply means homemade laundry soap and commercially formulated laundry detergent are not identical products.

What Are the Benefits of Making Your Own Laundry Soap?

There are a few reasons people enjoy making DIY laundry products.

You Control What Goes Into It

When you make your own laundry soap, you know exactly which ingredients you used.

This can be appealing if you prefer simple household products or enjoy experimenting with DIY cleaning recipes.

One Batch Makes a Lot

A 5-gallon batch can last quite a while depending on how frequently you do laundry and how much you use per load.

It Can Be an Affordable DIY Project

The individual ingredients can be used to make a large quantity of laundry soap, which may make the cost per batch relatively low.

It Reduces Packaging

Buying individual ingredients in larger packages can also mean fewer single-use detergent containers over time.

Potential Downsides of Homemade Laundry Detergent

DIY does not automatically mean better for every household.

Before making a five-gallon bucket, consider a few potential drawbacks.

• Washer compatibility: Some modern washing machines require HE detergent.
• Residue: Soap-based laundry mixtures may not rinse or dissolve the same way as commercially formulated detergents, particularly in certain water conditions.
• Storage: Five gallons of laundry soap takes up significantly more space than a concentrated bottle of detergent.
• Consistency: Homemade mixtures can separate, thicken, or change texture while stored.
• Cleaning performance: You may find that commercial detergents perform better on stains, oils, heavily soiled clothing, or certain fabrics.

Trying a smaller batch first can help you decide whether homemade laundry soap works for your household.

Can You Add Essential Oils to Homemade Laundry Detergent?

Some DIY recipes add essential oils for fragrance, but keeping the recipe simple is usually the safer approach.

Adding oils or other ingredients can change how the mixture behaves in your washing machine or on fabrics. If you do want to customize the scent, check your washer manufacturer’s recommendations first and avoid assuming that more fragrance means better cleaning.

Tips for Better Laundry Results

Whether you’re using homemade laundry soap or commercial detergent, a few simple habits can improve your laundry routine.

• Check clothing care labels. Different fabrics may require different water temperatures and wash cycles.
• Don’t overload your washer. Clothing needs room to move for effective washing and rinsing.
• Treat stains before washing. Addressing stains before they go through the washer and dryer usually gives you a better chance of removing them.
• Use the appropriate amount of laundry product. Too much can contribute to residue rather than cleaner clothes.
• Move wet clothes promptly. Leaving damp clothing sitting in the washer can lead to unwanted odors.
• Clean your washing machine regularly. Follow your washer manufacturer’s cleaning recommendations.

Is Homemade Laundry Detergent Cheaper?

It can be.

The ingredients used in homemade laundry soap are relatively simple, and one batch makes a large amount. That can make the cost per load fairly low depending on local ingredient prices and how much you use.

However, price is only one factor to consider. If the mixture leaves residue, does not perform well on stains, or is not recommended for your washing machine, a commercial detergent may still be the better value for your household.

Should You Make Your Own Laundry Detergent?

If you enjoy DIY cleaning projects and your washing machine is compatible with homemade laundry soap, this recipe is an easy one to experiment with.

But homemade detergent isn’t necessary to have a clean or more thoughtfully maintained home. A fragrance-free, dye-free, or HE commercial detergent may be a better fit depending on your household and washing machine.

The important thing is choosing products that work well for your family, your clothing, and your appliances.