In an effort to cut out unnecessary chemicals from my life (and cut down my grocery bill,) I scoured the internet for a homemade laundry detergent. I was very, very skeptical. It seemed way too easy. So, with just enough liquid Purex for one more load, I headed off to the store to see if I could locate the ingredients and move forward with my experiment. I purchased the following – all of which I found at Wal-Mart – and all which cost me less than 10.00. I believe this will provide me enough detergent for almost a year:
1 Box of Borax
1 Box of Washing Soda
3 Bars of Kirk’s Castile Soap
Now, I didn’t need to use all of each item for my first batch. I wanted to do a small batch first to make sure it worked before wasting time on a larger batch.
For my first batch I used:
1 cup of Borax
1 cup of Washing Soda
1 finely grated bar of Kirk’s Castile Soap
I chose Kirk’s Castile Soap because it is made from coconut oil, with no animal by-products or synthetic detergents. You could use other soap like Ivory or Fels Naptha but I didn’t like the ingredient list on those other options. You can use what you prefer. I have heard that Fels Naptha works well.
I actually used 2 bars of soap — it was not my intention. You see, I tried to use the food processor for the first bar – rather than grate it by hand on my new Microplane grater. However, the food processor did a LOUSY job and got all gunked up and the texture of the soap was not fine enough and I knew it would not work. I reluctantly got out my new Microplane grater and grated the entire bar (and a bit of my knuckle – ouch!) However, the grater did an awesome job creating nice, small, fine pieces of soap. The soap should resemble shredded coconut (or smaller) when you are done. If the pieces are too big, the will clump in the laundry and not dissolve.
Combine your grated bar of soap with one cup of the washing soda and one cup of the Borax and mix well. All done! See, that was easy!
I store my soap in a mason jar and had my husband cut a slit in the lid so I could slip the handle of my measuring spoon (an old coffee scoop) into it so I don’t lose it. I will use the rest of the ingredients and make a larger batch next time, but this small batch has lasted me almost 2 months and I still have probably 1-2 weeks left. However, depending on how much laundry you do, it will effect how long it will last.
I am happy to report that I am pleased with my laundry detergent. However — LESS IS MORE. Do not use more than 1 tablespoon per load. I did once, and had to rewash my clothing because it did not dissolve properly. I use slightly under a tablespoon for large load. I combine this with my white vinegar fabric softener and I am superbly happy with the results!
One other thing to note – some people add essential oils for a fragrance. I have not. I like the smell of nothingness – just plain clean.
Life Made Whole 
Thanks for your review. I’ve been making my own laundry soap for about a year, using either Fels Naptha or Dr. Bronner’s bar soap. The Fels Naptha is too strong a scent for me, and I was looking for more inexpensive option than Dr. Bronner’s. I saw Kirk’s on Amazon for much less and googled “Kirk’s castile soap homemade laundry detergent” and found you. Thanks for putting me at easy about my new castile soap. I’m happy to have found your blog. You seem like my kind of person and am now following you on FB. Thanks!
You are welcome!!! I hope you enjoy my Facebook page, too!
Do you know if this is friendly for HE washers? Thanks!
Yes, just use less.
looking to try this….wondering if you had a homemade dishwasher soap you used as well?
I don’t have one for dishwasher soap, sorry!
I make simple dishwashing tabs. They consist of 2 cups borax, 2 cups washing soda, 1/2 cup Epsom salt, 11/2cups vinegar and 10-20 drops of lemon essential oil. Mix all ingredients together and the press the mixture into 2 ice cube trays. Let sit for 24 hours to dry and voila dishwashing tabs. I store them in a mason jar.
Thanks! I will have to try that!
Have you noticed any greying of white clothes?
Have you noticed in greying of white clothes?
Honestly, we don’t have many pieces of white clothing but I haven’t noticed any unusual greying.
Many recipes also included Oxiclean, generic work fine, to help whiten cloths. U
thanks
First time to try this…. can you please give the sizes of the boxes. I just want to make sure I’m mixing the right measurement. Thanks!
MAYBE if u added about a quart or so of boiling water to this..MIX REAL GOOD.. and let it cool …then put it into an empty bottle of some sort….u would have liquid laundry detergent…..just a thought…..BUT indeed this concoction sounds real good and I think I’d like to try it. THANKS!