Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap For Under $1 A Gallon
🧺 Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap For Under $1 A Gallon 💸
Natural, Frugal, and Surprisingly Powerful!
✨ The Laundry Revolution You Didn’t Know You Needed
In a world filled with overpriced, chemical-laden laundry detergents promising miracles in a bottle, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed… or out of pocket. But what if you could make your own liquid laundry soap at home for under $1 a gallon?
No, this isn’t a gimmick or some complicated chemistry experiment. This is real, tried-and-tested frugal living magic that your grandma would be proud of.
Whether you’re cutting costs, reducing your environmental footprint, or avoiding harsh ingredients — this recipe checks every box ✅.
Let’s dive into the sudsy goodness! 👇
🧪 Ingredients & Supplies: What You’ll Need
Here’s the simple magic trio behind this laundry wonder:
🌿 Ingredients:
- 1 bar of soap (Fels-Naptha, Zote, Castile, or even basic unscented soap) – Buy from amazon
- 1 cup washing soda (not baking soda!) – Buy from amazon
- 1 cup borax – Buy from amazon
Here is a kit with all three ingredients including three bars of the Fels Naptha.
🧰 Supplies:
- Large pot (at least 3-4 quarts)
- Cheese grater or food processor
- 5-gallon bucket with lid
- Long spoon or stick to stir
- Used laundry soap container (for daily use)
🧼 Step-by-Step Recipe: How To Make It
1. Grate the Soap 🧊
Grate the entire bar of soap using a cheese grater or food processor. The finer, the faster it dissolves.
2. Melt It Down 🔥
In your large pot, add 4 cups of hot water and the grated soap. Stir over medium heat until it’s completely dissolved.
3. Add the Powders ⚗️
Once the soap is melted, stir in 1 cup of borax and 1 cup of washing soda. Keep stirring until it’s fully dissolved and slightly thickens.
4. Transfer to Bucket 🪣
Fill your 5-gallon bucket halfway with hot tap water. Pour in your soapy mixture and stir well.
5. Top It Off & Rest 💤
Top off the bucket with more hot water (to about 4-4.5 gallons total), stir again, cover it, and let it sit overnight.
6. Stir & Bottle 🧴
In the morning, stir thoroughly (it will have thickened into a gel-like texture). Use a funnel to fill your used laundry containers.
🧺 How To Use It
- Use ½ cup per regular load
- For heavily soiled clothes, use up to 1 cup
- Works in HE machines — just reduce to ¼ cup per load
💰 Why This Works (And Why You’ll Love It)
- Cost-Effective – Less than $1 per gallon, or about 2¢ per load
- Eco-Friendly – Fewer harsh chemicals go down the drain
- Customizable – Add a few drops of essential oils like lavender or lemon for fragrance
- Low-Waste – Reuse old containers and reduce packaging waste
🌟 Tips To Maximize Effectiveness
🧽 Use hot water to help it dissolve better in cold cycles
🍋 Add vinegar to the rinse cycle as a natural fabric softener
🧦 Shake before each use — natural separation happens
🌞 Dry clothes in the sun for natural bleaching & freshness
🥼 Spot treat stains with a dab of the soap paste before washing
❓ FAQs – You’ve Got Questions, We’ve Got Suds!
Q: Does it clean as well as store-bought detergent?
A: Yes! For everyday laundry, it works beautifully. It might not have the super enzymes of high-end commercial brands, but it gets the job done — naturally.
Q: Is it safe for sensitive skin or babies?
A: Absolutely — especially if you use unscented Castile soap. You can also skip essential oils or use soothing ones like chamomile.
Q: Will it clog my HE washer?
A: No. This soap is low-sudsing, which is ideal for HE machines. Just use the recommended smaller amount.
Q: Can I make it powdered instead of liquid?
A: Yes! Skip the water and just blend the grated soap with borax and washing soda. Use 1-2 tablespoons per load.
Q: What if I want it thicker?
A: Some people add extra washing soda or blend the mixture with an immersion blender the next day.
🌍 Why Go Homemade?
Making your own laundry soap is a small act with big rewards:
- You cut down on plastic waste
- You save serious money (hundreds per year!)
- You know exactly what’s in your detergent
- You gain a little more self-reliance and empowerment 💪
🔄 Final Thoughts: The Frugal Choice is the Smart Choice
This isn’t just a recipe. It’s a movement. A shift away from corporate dependence and chemical overload, and toward something smarter, simpler, and truly sustainable. 🌱
Imagine the satisfaction every time you do laundry — knowing you made this soap. For pennies.
Now that’s clean living — inside and out! 🧼💚
📌 Don’t Forget to Pin or Share!
Love this tutorial? Pin it to your frugal living or DIY board, or share it with someone who needs a little laundry magic in their life!