How to Make Laundry Detergent — Recipes for Soap, Stain Remover

Sep 16, 2011
Mia Carter

Learn How to Make Laundry Detergent, Recipes for Stain Remover and More. - (Photo by Gezther at Sxc.hu)

Wondering how to make laundry soap? Try these homemade laundry detergent recipes for gel and powdered soap, plus a homemade stain remover recipe.

The use of homemade laundry detergent has increased in popularity in recent years, particularly with the green living movement and the poor economy that has many homemakers seeking easy ways to save money.

How to Make Laundry Soap -- Recipes and Usage Tips

There are an array of laundry soap recipes. Fine-tune the recipe to suit your laundry and water type.

Gel Detergent Recipe 1 -- Measure out 2 cups of grated bar soap, 4 cups of boiling water, 2 cups of Borax and 2 cups of washing soda or baking soda. Dissolve the grated soap and hot water, then add the Borax and washing soda or baking soda. Store in a pail, as the homemade soap will be gel-like. Mix before use. Use 1/4 to 1/3 cup per load.
Gel Detergent Recipe 2 -- Measure out 2 cups of white vinegar, 2 cups of washing soda, 2 cups of Borax, 4 cups of boiling water and 2 bars of grated soap. Boil the water and add grate 2 bars of soap into the water. Mix until the soap dissolves. Remove the water from the heat and stir in the other ingredients. This creates a gel-like detergent. Use 1/3 to 1/2 cup per load.
Dry Detergent Recipe 1 -- Mix 3 cups of grated Fels-Naptha soap, 1 cup of washing soda or baking soda and 1 cup of Borax. Store this homemade powdered laundry detergent in a covered pail or Tupperware container. Use 3 to 4 tablespoons per load.
Dry Detergent Recipe 2 -- Mix 5 cups of Borax, 5 cups of grated bar soap, 3 cups of washing soda and 3 cups of baking soda. Store in a covered pail or Tupperware container. Use 1/4 to 1/3 cup per load.

Opt for a bar of soap that's lightly scented or scent-free if you or family members suffer from allergies, asthma or sensitive skin.

Remember to shake or stir the homemade laundry soap prior to use, as the ingredients frequently separate (gel-style soaps only.)

The amount of laundry soap required per load will vary significantly depending upon factors like load size, washing machine efficacy and water type. Experiment and if necessary, adjust the amount used per load. For instance, you'll need to use more soap in regions with hard water, whereas you'll require less detergent in areas with soft water.

Homemade Stain Remover Recipe and Laundry Pre-treater

Fels-Naptha is perhaps the most common bar-style laundry soap. It's designed for sensitive skin and it's even used to treat contact dermatitis and rashes from poison ivy, poison sumac and poison oak. Not only is Fels-Naptha an ingredient in powdered laundry detergent recipes, but it's also effective for use as a homemade stain remover and pre-treater for stains like chocolate, blood, makeup and oil stains.

The following stain remover recipe is suitable for minor stains:

Dampen the stained fabric and rinse the stained area with cold water.
Grate a small amount of Fels-Naptha soap and sprinkle it over the stain.
Sprinkler a bit of baking soda over the stain.
Add a couple drops of water and scrub the stain with a soft-bristled brush or toothbrush.
Launder the garment.

Try the following steps to pre-treat laundry stains that are a bit more stubborn:

Dampen the stained area and use cold water to rinse out as much of the stain as possible.
Moisten the bar of Fels-Naptha and rub it onto the stain using a circular motion.
Leave the stain remover on the garment for at least six hours, then launder normally.

Benefits of Using Homemade Laundry Detergent

There are an array of benefits associated with using homemade laundry detergent. The ingredients for homemade laundry soap are inexpensive and it costs a dollar or two to make a month's supply for a family of four (compared to commercial detergent, which will cost $5.00 USD or more per month.) This makes homemade laundry soap a popular choice among frugal living enthusiasts and families on a budget.

Homemade laundry soaps are also popular among individuals with allergies and chemical sensitivities. Commercial detergents, even dye-free and fragrance-free varieties, can cause or exacerbate skin rashes on sensitive individuals. Many asthmatics experience airway constriction and inflammation when exposed to fragrances, including those found in laundry detergent.

According to a Cape Coral, Florida dog owner, her epileptic pug's seizures increased in frequency when he was exposed to laundry that was freshly washed using commercially-sold detergent.

"We noticed that our dog's seizures would increase in frequency by two or three per day whenever we washed his dog bed. We made the connection when we noticed that he would experience a seizure every time he sat in the warm pile of freshly-washed laundry," she explained. The concerned pet owner started using a homemade laundry soap, and her pug no longer experiences seizures when exposed to fresh laundry.

Pet owners may also be interested in learning about the dangers of using dryer sheets on a pet's fur. For details, read "Is it Safe to Use Dryer Sheets on a Pet's Fur to Remove Odor and Static?"

Readers may also be interested in learning about household uses for bleach.

Bargain hunters who want to keep a bit of commercial laundry detergent on-hand may be interested in reading "How to Find Laundry Coupons for Tide, Shout Color Catcher, OxiClean and More."