28 Homemade Laundry Detergents to Save You Some Money (2024)

Are you tired of spending endless amounts of money on laundry detergent?

Do you not like using detergents that you don’t have a clue what is actually in them?

Well, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve gathered some of the best recipes for homemade laundry detergent that have been scattered all over the internet.

But I’ve saved you the time and effort it takes to track them all down. If you are looking for a laundry detergent recipes that will suit your needs then keep reading.

Hopefully, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for.

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Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipes

1. The Super Laundry Sauce

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So you like the idea of making your own laundry detergent, but you aren’t sure you’ll have the time or the talent to pull it off.

Well, don’t fret. This recipe says it takes only 7 minutes to make and is spelled out so plainly that almost anyone can figure it out.

Make this DIY laundry detergent

2. Homemade Lavender and Lemon High-Efficiency Laundry Detergent

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You want to make your own laundry detergent but your machine only takes high-efficiency laundry soap?

Well, don’t fret. Thanks to this refreshing laundry detergent recipe you can save money and your washing machine.

Make this DIY laundry detergent

3. Homemade HE Laundry Detergent

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Do you want an all-natural laundry detergent that will save you money and still be high efficient?

Well if so, then this detergent is for you. It meets all of those criteria and appears to be a snap to whip up.

Make this DIY laundry detergent

4. Powdered Laundry Detergent With Scent Crystals

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If you are someone that loves stronger smelling laundry detergents, then you’ll love this one. I used to not like making my own laundry detergent because I didn’t think my clothes smelled clean enough.

Then I realized I could add scent crystals to the mix and it would pack that fresh smell that I love. It costs a little extra but is totally worth it if you enjoy fresh smelling clothes as much as I do.

Make this DIY laundry detergent

5. Baby Laundry Detergent

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You want to make your own laundry detergent, but you need some that will be safe for baby. I totally understand.

And that is why I thought this recipe definitely needed to be shared. You can create your own gentle baby laundry detergent for a fraction of the cost.

Make this DIY laundry detergent

6. Liquid Laundry Soap for $1 a Gallon

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You want to make your own laundry soap, but you aren’t a fan of the powdered stuff? That’s okay because there are recipes for you too.

So this recipe is not only a liquid instead of a powder, but it also only costs a dollar a gallon. That is great news for those that are trying to be frugal.

Make this DIY laundry detergent

7. Coconut and Lavender Laundry Detergent

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Making your own laundry detergent can be an easy way to save money and live a little healthier.

But it can also be a way to add new fun and fresh scents into your daily life. This recipe will certainly do that.

Make this DIY laundry detergent

8. Homemade Laundry Detergent Tabs

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The latest and greatest thing in store bought detergents is the little tabs or pods. It is made so you can just toss one in the washer and forget having to pour anything into your washing machine.

Well, you don’t have to forgo convenience just because you are making items from scratch. This recipe for homemade laundry detergent tabs proves that.

Make this DIY laundry detergent

9. Basic Laundry Detergent Recipe

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This laundry detergent recipe is one that everyone should know. If you know it, then you can always make your own laundry detergent for very little money.

But what you may not know is that you can interchange Ivory soap with Fels Naptha (in case you have a hard time locating that in your store.)

Make this DIY laundry detergent

10. 2 Cents a Load Laundry Detergent

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How many laundry detergents do you know of that can wash your clothes for as little as 2 cents per load?

Well, thanks to this recipe you just found one. So if you are looking to live life on a tight budget, you may want to start here.

Make this DIY laundry detergent

11. Borax-Free Laundry Detergent

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Do you want to make your own laundry detergent, but the thought of using Borax makes you nervous?

Well, then ditch the Borax with this recipe. That way you can make your own laundry detergent and have no worries in the process.

Make this DIY laundry detergent

12. Natural and Frugal Laundry Soap Recipe

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This recipe is a natural recipe that calls for washing powder and baking soda along with a few other ingredients.

But it is also super frugal because all of those items are usually very inexpensive. So you have an inexpensive and effective laundry soap in a jiff.

Make this DIY laundry detergent

13. Mom’s Super Laundry Sauce

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This is a concentrated version of an intense laundry detergent. It requires only a few simple ingredients to handle 128 loads.

So if you are looking for an inexpensive and super effective laundry soap, then you might want to give this one a try.

Make this DIY laundry detergent

14. All-in-One Laundry Bombs

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This recipe for laundry bombs is meant to replace all of your excess laundry components. You won’t need your stain stick, laundry detergent, or fabric softener when you use these.

Instead, you mix a few basic ingredients to create these laundry masters. Then you toss them in with your laundry, and you are done.

Make this DIY laundry detergent

15. Non-Toxic Laundry Detergent

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Do you need a super healthy laundry detergent that is so safe you’d even feel okay using it on your child’s cloth diapers?

Well, then you may have just found the recipe. It claims to be all of those things, but you check it out and see what you think.

Make this DIY laundry detergent

16. Homemade All Natural Laundry Detergent

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This is another all-natural laundry detergent. But instead of it being in powder form, this one is a liquid.

So for all of you out there that only want to use a liquid laundry detergent, but desire one that is all-natural, then you’ll want to give this recipe a quick glance.

Make this DIY laundry detergent

17. DIY Liquid Laundry Soap

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This liquid laundry detergent is super simple to make with only a few basic ingredients. Which also equates to it being pretty inexpensive to make too.

Plus, it is also good for HE washers. So don’t think just because you have an HE machine that you can’t make your own detergent.

Make this DIY laundry detergent

18. The Favorite Laundry Detergent

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Okay, this isn’t my favorite laundry detergent (yet), but it is for the blogger that posted it. I really like the way the recipe looks though.

So if you want simple, then consider this one because it only has 3 ingredients and it includes Dawn dish liquid which you know will get the stains out.

Make this DIY laundry detergent

19. Liquid Laundry Soap

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This liquid laundry detergent is similar to a few of the previous ones, but it does include a few essential oils options.

So for those of you that like to use essential oils wherever possible, then you might want to consider giving this recipe a try.

Make this DIY laundry detergent

20. The 1 Year Supply of Laundry Detergent

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Could you imagine creating enough laundry soap to fill an under-the-bed box and know that it was enough to last you a whole year?

So you may think I’m nuts, but with this recipe, she says it’s enough. And that you’ll only need 1-2 tablespoons per load.

Make this DIY laundry detergent

21. The Dawn Laundry Soap

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This is another tutorial to make the three-ingredient liquid laundry soap. It includes a few basic items like Borax, washing powder, and dawn.

As mentioned before, if it has Dawn dish liquid in it, then you know it will be tough on stains.

Make this DIY laundry detergent

22. The Super Frugal Liquid Laundry Detergent

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This laundry detergent is a liquid DIY option that is apparently extremely frugal. If you are someone that is wanting to stretch a dollar, then you might want to consider this recipe.

So they say that you can make enough laundry detergent from this recipe to wash 576 loads. But the best part is they say that it only costs $6. You give it a try and see what you think.

Make this DIY laundry detergent

23. The Pretty Pink Laundry Detergent

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This laundry detergent looks pretty if does nothing else. But considering the ingredients, it should clean your clothes very well.

However, it can be made into plenty of pretty colors if you choose to add the fragrance beads which I love to do for that added oomph of fragrance.

Make this DIY laundry detergent

24. DIY Laundry Pods with Essential Oils

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These laundry pods are made with only a few basic ingredients that should be fairly inexpensive to purchase.

But they are so great because they are super convenient and easy to use. Give them a try and see what you think.

Make this DIY laundry detergent

25. The 6-Ingredient Laundry Soap

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This laundry soap appears as though it would be a great cleaner and a very fresh smelling laundry detergent too.

So you’ll need your soap, washing powder, and baking soda. But this recipe includes scent beads and Oxy Clean as an extra cleaning agent.

Make this DIY laundry detergent

26. World’s Best Homemade Laundry Detergent

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This recipe has a lot of the basic ingredients we’ve talked about in previous recipes. The difference is that they use products from a company called Scentsy.

Though it requires a little special ordering, she also shows you how to make customized jars for your laundry detergent and tags to go on it too.

Make this DIY laundry detergent

27. Premium DIY Laundry Detergent

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This laundry recipe is practically the same as the other recipes that have Oxy Clean in them. The main difference is she uses Biz and says it works wonders.

So if you’d like to try a recipe that uses a slightly different product, then you might want to check this laundry detergent out.

Make this DIY laundry detergent

28. Laundry Detergent 5 Gallons for $2

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If you are wanting a massive load of laundry detergent for very little money, then you’ll need to take this recipe into consideration.

Plus, it is a liquid recipe that is made from very basic ingredients. So if that sounds great to you, then give it a try.

Make this DIY laundry detergent

Well, if you were on the hunt for a frugal and effective DIY laundry detergent you now have over 20 recipes to choose from.

Now, tell me, do you make your own laundry detergent? What recipe do you use? Do you have any tips on making an effective laundry detergent?

We love hearing from you so leave us your comments in the space below.

28 Homemade Laundry Detergents to Save You Some Money (30)

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28 Homemade Laundry Detergents to Save You Some Money (2024)

FAQs

Does homemade laundry detergent save money? ›

"It is important to always check your user manual before using this method." Given these potential risks, the use of homemade laundry detergent is not the best way to save money or to provide a safer, more natural alternative to commercial detergents.

What is the best homemade liquid laundry detergent recipe? ›

ingredients
  1. 6 cups water.
  2. 13 bar fels naptha laundry detergent, grated.
  3. 2 cup arm & hammer super washing soda laundry detergent, booster (NOT baking soda!)
  4. 12 cup 20-mule team borax laundry detergent.
  5. 1 quart hot water.
  6. hot water.

Can you use Dawn as laundry detergent? ›

Though dish soap is great as a stain pretreatment option, it's not meant for direct use in a laundry washing machine. That's because dish soaps are uniquely formulated to break up grease and stuck-on food particles with foamy suds—something you don't want to happen in your washing machine.

What is the best bar soap for homemade laundry detergent? ›

Most people who make their own laundry soap use fels naptha bar soap. However, it does contain talc so I prefer not to use it. Zote is a popular non-toxic option. I use Castile soap and it works really well plus grates very easily.

Can I use just washing soda for laundry? ›

Can we use washing soda in the washing machine? Yes, it can be used as a cleaning agent for both garments, and – when run empty – for the washing machine itself.

Is it cheaper to make your own laundry detergent? ›

Overall, no. It's not worth it to make homemade laundry detergent when you compare the price per load of Arm & Hammer right now. However, if you need to make something at home that has less chemicals and additives, it's still a solid contender. Plus, it's a lot of fun to use a processor and get messy.

What does borax do for laundry? ›

Borax neutralizes odor.

Sometimes washing machines can leave your clothes smelling musty, especially if you are washing things that are particularly strong-smelling, such as animal bedding, diapers, or soiled bedding. Borax contains enzymes that will reduce odors, leaving your clothes smelling fresh.

Can you add OxiClean to homemade liquid laundry detergent? ›

Mix the soap, baking soda, washing soda and OxiClean in a large container. MAKE SURE NOT TO BREATHE IT IN! While these are additive free, they're not okay to breathe in.

What is the best substitute for laundry detergent? ›

Baking soda

Baking soda, aka sodium bicarbonate, is a naturally occurring substance that can do wonders for your laundry. Having long been used as an eco-friendly alternative to laundry detergent and in other cleaning processes around the home, baking soda is the obvious choice when you've run out of laundry detergent.

What are the cons of homemade laundry detergent? ›

Homemade laundry detergents typically lack the cleaning power of commercial brands. They can damage fabric or washing machines, leave residue behind, and may not be safe for your health or the environment due to the potential allergens and unregulated ingredient blends.

Can I use baking soda as laundry detergent? ›

The Watch-outs of Adding Vinegar and Baking Soda to Your Laundry. Although vinegar and baking soda are safe to use in both regular and HE washing machines, they are considerably less efficient than high-performance laundry detergents at delivering an outstanding and odorless clean.

How do you make laundry detergent from scratch? ›

Here are our experts' steps for making homemade laundry detergent:
  1. Begin by boiling 8 cups of water.
  2. Next, add 2 cups of borax and 2 cups of baking soda.
  3. Dilute 1 cup of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide with 2 cups of water; add to mixture.
  4. Add 2 cups of dish soap and another 8 cups of boiling water.
Mar 15, 2024

How much Dawn do I put in my washing machine? ›

Put that tablespoon of Dawn on a dry rag or washcloth and throw it directly into the wash. DO NOT add Dawn to the detergent dispenser. Also add in detergent or a laundry pod as you normally would.

Is it cheaper to make my own laundry detergent? ›

Overall, no. It's not worth it to make homemade laundry detergent when you compare the price per load of Arm & Hammer right now. However, if you need to make something at home that has less chemicals and additives, it's still a solid contender. Plus, it's a lot of fun to use a processor and get messy.

How much do you use of homemade laundry detergent? ›

For standard loads, add 1 tablespoon of homemade laundry detergent. Up that to 2 tablespoons for heavily soiled laundry to remove excess dirt—but don't overdo it. "Using too much laundry detergent can leave a residue in the fibers of your clothing," says Balanzat.

Is it cheaper to do laundry at home? ›

Cost per load at home

At home, the cost per load of laundry is approximately $1.37, making it a budget-friendly option compared to using a laundromat. Factors contributing to this lower cost include reduced energy consumption and water usage when using modern, energy-efficient washing machines.

How can I make my laundry cheaper? ›

Here are some things you can do to save in the laundry room:
  1. Wash with cold water. ...
  2. Wash full loads. ...
  3. Dry right-sized loads for your machine. ...
  4. Air dry when you can. ...
  5. Switch loads while the dryer is warm. ...
  6. Use dryer balls. ...
  7. Clean the lint filter on the dryer. ...
  8. Use the high-speed or extended spin cycle in the washer.
Feb 14, 2018

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