Liquid Laundry Detergent
This step-by-step guide shows you how to make a cheap, effective liquid laundry detergent that works in both standard and HE washers. Save money, avoid harsh chemicals, and get soft, clean clothes, all for less than 5 cents per load.
Servings: 34 Loads
Cost: About $0.05 per load
Equipment
- One-gallon container with tight fitting lid
- Measuring cup
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup super washing soda Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda or generic soda ash
- 3/4 cup borax Twenty-Mule Team Borax or store brand
- 3/4 cup Blue Dawn dishwashing liquid Original, Ultra, or Ultra Advanced Power
- 2-3 cups cool tap water plus more to fill container
Instructions
How to Make the Detergent
- Measure and pour washing soda and borax into the empty one-gallon container.
- Pour in 2–3 cups cool tap water. Don’t worry about a few bubbles. They’re normal.
- Secure the lid and shake vigorously until the powders start dissolving. Shake until the mixture looks milky and well combined.
- Add tap water to within about 1 inch of the top, leaving space for the Blue Dawn.
- Measure 3/4 cup Blue Dawn and pour in slowly to avoid excessive suds.
- Fill the measuring cup with a little more water and pour it into the container to capture any remaining soap. If there’s space left, top off until about 1/2-inch from the top.
- Secure the lid. Instead of shaking, roll the container on its side a few times to fully incorporate the soap without creating a sudsy mess.
- Your liquid detergent is ready! Shake or roll the container before each use, especially if crystals form at the bottom.
How to Use the Detergent
- Pour the detergent exactly the way you normally add detergent to your washer, whether that’s in a dispenser, directly in the drum, or in a small measuring cup.HE front-loading washers: Start with 1 tablespoon per load. These washers use very little water, so a little detergent goes a long way.Older top-loading washers: Use 1/4 cup per load, which works well for machines that fill with more water.Adjust as needed: Depending on your washer size, water hardness, and how dirty the clothes are, you may need to tweak the amount slightly. When in doubt, start with less. You can always add more next time.
Notes
Washing soda vs. baking soda: Washing soda (soda ash) is not edible and much stronger than baking soda.
Borax: Find it in the laundry aisle of most supermarkets, big-box stores, or online.
Blue Dawn: Only use Blue Dawn, not other brands or colors. Its grease-fighting formula is key for this detergent.
Crystals forming: Over time, the detergent may develop harmless crystals. If this happens, break them up with a wooden spoon or roll the container; they dissolve in the wash.
Batch size: If crystals bother you, make smaller batches to use up faster.
Water hardness tip: Soft water may require slightly less detergent; hard water may benefit from a tablespoon or two extra washing soda.
