Homemade Natural Liquid Laundry Detergent

Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent using natural non-toxic ingredients and a herbal infusion. 

With the prices of groceries at an all-time high, I'm trying to save anywhere I can. Using homemade laundry detergent is one way that I save money at the grocery store. I've actually been making my own powdered laundry detergent for years, but recently changed over to this detergent due to the high price of some of the products, and I wanted something made with more natural ingredients.  

Store bought laundry detergent is convenient. However, if you look at the label you will see all the harmful chemicals listed on the back which isn't good for anyone, especially people that have allergies or sensitive skin. By making your own, you know exactly what goes into your detergent.  

What I love about this recipe is that it uses fresh herbs to make a herbal infusion versus using essential oils. I love making herbal infusions because they're natural, smell wonderful and I have an abundance of herbs in my garden. This detergent has just 6 ingredients, is less expensive and is just as effective as my previous powder detergent as well as store-bought. 

All the ingredients to make this liquid laundry detergent can be found at your local grocery store. Initially, you will make a small investment in supplies (around $20), but keep in mind you can use them over and over again to make more batches of detergent. So the supplies needed are for far more than just one batch of detergent. 

INGREDIENTS & SUPPLIES YOU'LL NEED

• 6 - ounces Zote Bar Soap or Castile Bar Soap, grated (the main cleaning agent) 
• 1 - cup of fresh Herbs (for scent use your favorite) 🌿
• 1 - quart of water to make Herbal Infusion (if you don't have herbs just use water).
• 1 - cup Borax (freshens, deodorizes, lifts dirt and stains)
• 1 - cup Super Washing Soda (freshens and deodorizes)
• warm water (to top off bucket)
• grater (to grate soap if using bar soap)
• 5 - gallon bucket with lid (to store detergent)
• Immersion blender stick (optional)

HOW TO MAKE A HERBAL INFUSION 

• It's best to make the herbal infusion a day in advance so it has time to infuse. 
• Add a handful (about 1 cup) of fresh herbs to a clean 1 quart mason jar. 
• Top off with hot water, sealing the jar and letting it steep for 24 hours. 
• After 24 hours, strain the infusion through a cheese cloth or fine mesh strainer, save the liquid (herbal infusion) and discard the herbs. 

Grate the soap into a medium size bowl and set aside. 

Heat the 1 quart of herbal infusion over medium heat (if not using a herbal infusion just warm 1 quart water). Add the grated soap to the warm infusion or water and stir until melted. 

You want to make sure the soap is completely melted into the warm infusion. 

Fill a 5 gallon bucket halfway full with very hot water.

Add 1 cup of Borax and 1 cup of washing soda to the 5 gallon bucket of hot water, stirring until dissolved. 

Pour the melted soap mixture into the 5 gallon bucket and continue stirring.

Top the 5 gallon bucket off with additional hot water and stir the mixture really well.

Add the lid and let the mixture sit (covered) for 24 hours.

Keep in mind that this laundry detergent isn't the same texture as store bought. It has a tendency to thicken up and separate as it cools, but that is normal. I like to use my immersion blender stick and mix up the detergent really well before storing. 

I store my detergent in a half gallon glass mason jar.

And the remainder stays in the 5 gallon bucket. 

HOW MUCH DETERGENT TO USE

Use 1/2 cup detergent for top loader machines and 1/4 cup for front loader machines per load.

Make sure to give the detergent a good shake before each use and dissolve in warm water. 

MAKE YOUR OWN HERBAL INFUSED VINEGAR SOFTENER 

I also like to make my own Fabric Softener using fresh herbs and vinegar. Here's how make it!!! Add about a handful of herbs (a few of my favorites are lavender, lemon balm, mint, lemon thyme an rosemary) into a large glass jar that has a non metallic lid. Pour white vinegar over the herbs until the jar is almost full. Make sure the herbs are fully submerged. 

Place the lid on and let the mixture infuse for 24-48 hours. When the infusion is complete, strain the vinegar and discard the herbs. Add the mixture back into the jar. The mixture is now ready to use. Just add 1/4 cup infused vinegar onto the softener compartment for each load (and no your clothes do not smell like vinegar). 

Does anyone else still line dry on a clothes line? Hanging laundry on the clothes line has always been one of my favorite chores. I don't hang all of our clothes on the line (just a few), but I do hang towels, bedding, quilts, dog bedding and rugs.  

 

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