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Homemade laundry detergent DIY How to Make Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent.
Stephanie

DIY How to Make Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent

Natural laundry detergent is the perfect way to have complete control over the ingredients while keeping you from potentially toxic chemicals.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 5 gallons
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 bars of soap grated such as Fels Naptha or Castile soap
  • 3 cups washing soda sodium carbonate
  • 1 ½ cups borax optional, for boosting cleaning power; can be omitted for a gentler detergent
  • 8 cups water for dissolving the soap
  • half gallon or 8 additional cups water for mixing the detergent
  • 30 to 50 drops of essential oils more can be added!

Equipment

  • Box grater
  • Large pot
  • Metal Spoon
  • 5 gallon bucket with a lid 
  • Airtight container (optional--for small storage on washer)

Method
 

Grate the Soap:
  1. Use a cheese grater or food processor to grate the fels-naptha bar of soap into fine flakes.
Dissolve the Soap:
  1. In a large pot, bring 8 cups of water to a boil.
  2. Add the grated soap to the boiling water, stirring continuously until the soap is completely dissolved.
  3. This can take some time so be patient!
Add Washing Soda and Borax:
  1. Reduce the heat to medium.
  2. Add the washing soda and the borax (if using). Stir until both are fully dissolved. It may still be grainy.
Cool and Mix:
  1. Remove the pot from heat and let the mixture cool slightly.
  2. Add the additional 8 cups of water (half gallon) to the 5 gallon bucket.
  3. Slowly and carefully pour in the hot soapy mixture into the 5 gallon bucket.
  4. Stir the water and the soap concentration until thoroughly incorporated.
  5. Add the essential oils of choice and mix again.
  6. Fill the 5 gallon bucket up with water to about 4 inches from the top of the bucket and stir until all the ingredients are mixed well.
  7. Place the lid on.
Let it Sit:
  1. Allow the detergent to sit for about 24 hours. It may thicken and gel as it cools.
Stir Before Use:
  1. Before each use, stir the detergent to ensure it’s well mixed.

Notes

Tips:
    • Storage: Store the detergent in a large, clean container with a lid. Shake or stir before each use.
    • For Easier Handling: Fill a ½ gallon or a gallon mason jar with the liquid detergent and store the 5 gallon bucket out of the way. Make sure to shake or stir before each usage. Use ½ cup per load. 
    • Allergies/Sensitivities: If you have skin sensitivities, choose a mild, fragrance-free soap, and consider omitting the borax.
    • Note on the Soap Bars: Fels Naptha tends to gel up when heating. I have found that the the Castile soap bar makes a runnier final product, and people tend to prefer it over the Fels Naptha. Both seem to perform the same, so it's just a matter of preference.