How to Make Homemade Laundry Detergent
Homemade laundry detergent can be made with only three simple ingredients. My detergent recipe does not involve soap grating.
Learn to make the best laundry detergent with only three simple ingredients. This homemade laundry detergent powder is not only cost-effective, it’s also super easy to make, gentle and really works!
Plus, our no-soap-grating shortcut is “loads” of fun! Grab the kiddos because they will love to watch and help with this project.
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Homemade Laundry Detergent Ingredients
Three simple ingredients you can find at your grocery store or order online. Amazon links included.
How to make Ivory Soap flakes
Step 1
We begin by preparing our bar of Ivory soap for our laundry detergent powder. When microwaved, an Ivory bar expands into a puffy soap cloud that easily crumbles into tiny flakes.
Place a single bar of Ivory Soap into a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave up to about 1 minute. Check for doneness by poking a fork into the fluff feeling for any solid piece. Microwave an additional 30 seconds or until no solid piece is felt in the center.
Microwave cooking times may vary so be sure to check for completion often. After you remove the fluff from the microwave, it shrinks quickly.
Step 2
Allow to cool before handling. Rub the pieces between your hands over the bowl to create the fine powder.
There may be lumps which is perfectly acceptable when making Ivory soap powder for your homemade laundry detergent.
How to make homemade laundry detergent
- Two parts Washing Soda
- Two parts Borax
- One part Ivory Soap
The actual quantities will depend on how much you want to make at one time. For example, 2 cups washing soda plus 2 cups Borax and one cup ivory soap powder will equal 5 cups of detergent.
5 cups of detergent will do about 20 loads of laundry when using 1/4 cup per load.
Use about 1/4 cup per load of laundry. You may use more or less depending on how dirty the laundry is.
If you have a large family, you will want to double or triple the laundry soap recipe.
Step 1
Gather your ingredients
Step 2
Make your Ivory soap powder. Follow the instructions above for making Ivory soap powder using bar soap.
Step 3
Mix all three ingredients in a large container with a lid. Stir, stir, and stir to get the ingredients combined well.
Place a 1/4 cup scoop inside of your dry laundry detergent container and close the lid. It’s ready to use.
TIP
Drop-in a few silica packets to prevent moisture.
Jot down the ingredients to make your own laundry detergent. You can make this simple recipe and start washing your laundry with it this week.
This laundry soap recipe is a great way to save on the grocery budget.
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Hi, I don’t have a microwave.
Is not ok to just grate the Ivory Soap?
I have never tried just grating the soap. Let me know how that goes for you. Part of the microwave process allows you to shred the soap powder between your hands but it seems like grating would work. Let me know!
How do you powder the soap after microwaving it (from foam to powder)
I don’t own a microwave so how would I do it via stove top?
Hi Kelly, I have not tried making it anyway except in the Microwave. Because it expands so much, not sure I’d do it on the stove.
Oh, wow! I might actually try to make my own laundry detergent now.. I always dreaded trying to grate a bar of soap. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for stopping by Laura. Glad you are able to use the microwave trick with the Ivory soap!
Something I will have to try. I love Ivory soap. Thanks for linking up to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party. I’ve pinned your post to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Board
Thank you for stopping by Tammy.
Oh wow! I’m going to have to try this!
Awesome. Let me know how you like this method! Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment 🙂
This is neat! I’ve only ever purchased home-made laundry detergent (from a friend who has a business selling it). Her’s is in cream form, not powder…but this might be interesting!
I too have never made homemade laundry detergent. Is it just cheaper, or better, or better for the environment (I buy environment friendly laundry detergent anyways). Will pin it to good to know!
I’m surprised because I thought I was the last person to leave the train station on DIY laundry detergent!
Wow! Never thought about creating my own washing soap before.
They say we learn something new everyday. Expanding that Ivory soap is way cool though, isn’t it!
I’ve never made homemade laundry detergent. But if I ever do, I will definitely use your method. Grating anything isn’t very fun and especially grating an entire bar of ivory soap. And I’ll pin it for those that do make laundry detergent and are looking for an easier way. Thanks for sharing!
The grating method is messy, time consuming and a few other negative adjectives 🙂 Thanks for the Pin 🙂