Homemade Laundry Detergent: My Budget-Friendly Laundry Routine

Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe (1 Gallon)



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Store-bought laundry detergent can be expensive, especially when you're washing gardening clothes, workout gear, chicken coop clothes, and everyday family laundry. After experimenting with homemade cleaners, I put together this simple gallon-sized laundry detergent recipe using a handful of inexpensive ingredients.

Not only is it budget-friendly, but it also allows you to control exactly what goes into your laundry routine.

Why Make Your Own Laundry Detergent?

Making homemade laundry detergent can help:

  • Save money on household expenses

  • Reduce plastic waste from detergent containers

  • Use simple ingredients you may already have on hand

  • Create a customizable scent using essential oils

  • Stretch your household budget without sacrificing clean clothes

Ingredients

For one gallon of homemade laundry detergent, you'll need:

  • ¼ cup grated Zote soap

  • ¼ cup borax

  • ⅜ cup (6 tablespoons) washing soda

  • ⅛ cup (2 tablespoons) baking soda

  • 60–80 drops peppermint essential oil or tea tree oil (I like to do a 50/50 mix of the two)

  • Water

Directions

  1. Heat 8 cups of water in a large pot.

  2. Add the grated Zote soap and stir until completely dissolved.

  3. Add the borax, washing soda, and baking soda.

  4. Stir until all ingredients have dissolved.

  5. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly.

  6. Add the essential oil.

  7. Pour the mixture into a clean gallon jug.

  8. Fill the remainder of the jug with water until it reaches the one-gallon mark.

  9. Cap tightly and shake well.

How to Use

For most loads:

  • HE washing machine: 1–2 tablespoons

  • Standard washing machine: 2–4 tablespoons

For heavily soiled clothing such as gardening clothes, gym wear, or muddy outdoor clothes, use up to ¼ cup per load.



Tips for Best Results

Shake Before Each Use

Because this detergent contains soap and natural ingredients, some settling may occur. Give the container a quick shake before each use.

Hard Water Boost

If you have hard water, consider adding an extra tablespoon of washing soda directly to the washer for heavily soiled loads.

Customize the Scent

Peppermint gives this detergent a fresh, clean scent, but you can also experiment with:

  • Lavender

  • Lemon

  • Sweet orange

  • Eucalyptus

Laundry Booster I Use



Homemade laundry detergent works best when paired with good washing habits. Since I have a high-efficiency (HE) washing machine, I also use reusable laundry agitator balls to help improve agitation and circulation during the wash cycle.

I've found they help move clothes around more effectively, especially when washing heavier items like towels, gardening clothes, and workout gear.

If you'd like to try them, these are the ones I use:

Washin' Jax Laundry Agitator Balls: [Check price on Amazon]

They are reusable, easy to use, and can be a helpful addition when using homemade laundry detergent.

My Alternative to Fabric Softener

I don't use commercial fabric softeners. Instead, I add about ½ cup to 1 cup of white vinegar to every load of laundry.

I simply pour it into the fabric softener dispenser, and the washing machine releases it during the rinse cycle.

White vinegar can help:

  • Naturally soften fabrics

  • Reduce detergent residue buildup

  • Help eliminate odors

  • Minimize static cling

  • Keep towels absorbent

Don't worry, the vinegar smell doesn't remain on the clothes once they're dry.

Between homemade laundry detergent, reusable agitator balls, and white vinegar as a fabric softener alternative, I've found this to be an affordable and effective laundry routine for our household.

How Much Does It Cost?

The exact cost depends on where you purchase your ingredients, but one gallon of homemade laundry detergent is often significantly cheaper than many commercial brands. Since the ingredients are purchased in bulk and used over multiple batches, the cost per load can be surprisingly low.

Final Thoughts

Homemade laundry detergent isn't for everyone, but if you're looking for a simple way to save money and reduce waste, it's worth trying. This recipe has become a practical addition to our household routine and works especially well for everyday laundry.

Have you tried making your own laundry detergent? Let me know what ingredients and scents you use in your homemade recipes!

Want to Save More Money? 

If you enjoyed this post and would like more frugal tips, check out this post here on making your own window cleaner for mere pennies. 

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