Make Your Own Laundry Detergent

To make your own environmentally friendly laundry detergent you first need to decide if you prefer liquid or powder detergent.

Liquid detergent is easy to customize; you can include essential oils to give it the scent you love most. Powder detergent is easier to make, as it doesn’t involve using the stove, and easier to store, as you can put it in any box and don’t need a leak-proof jug or bucket.

Assemble your supplies and ingredients and start soaping!




To make powdered laundry detergent, you will need the following:

-2 cups of finely grated bar soap (Any brand will do, but avoid strong scents.)

-1 cup of washing soda

-1 cup of borax

To grate the soap, a food processor works well, or if you are feeling strong, try a cheese grater and some elbow grease. Mix all the ingredients well and store in a box or other container. If the container is air-tight, your soap will last longer. Use about two tablespoons per load.

To make liquid laundry detergent, you will need these ingredients:

-2 cups of bar soap

-2 cups of washing soda

-2 cups of borax

Boil one quart of water and add the bar soap, mixing until it has completely melted. Then pour the soapy water into a large bucket or jug and add the borax and washing soda, mixing until it is all dissolved. Add 2 gallons of water and mix thoroughly. Once the mixture has cooled, you can add a few drops of the essential oil of your choice for scented detergent. This soap does tend to gel when it cools, so be prepared to mix or shake it before you use it. Use about 1/4 cup per load.