How Do You Make Natural Liquid Laundry Detergent?

There are countless laundry detergents on the market, but very few meet your standards as far as ingredient purity goes. That’s the appeal of DIY liquid laundry detergent – you get total control over how you clean your clothing, bedding, towels, and everything in between!

So, how do you make natural liquid laundry detergent? It’s not as complicated as you might think. We’ll walk you through the DIY natural liquid laundry detergent process in this guide.

But first, we’ll unpack the pros and cons to help you find out if this is really worth it or not. Because the truth is, homemade natural liquid laundry detergent rarely meets expectations. Whether it’s poor cleaning performance or the hassle of making your own liquid laundry detergent, there’s a better way.

Our liquid laundry detergent is a great cleaner alternative, just like all the household essentials we sell here at Clean People. No SLS, parabens, phosphates, phthalates, or synthetic dyes here! It uses 70% less plastic, too. Order today and see what keeps customers coming back for more!

“Clean People products are amazing! I enjoy doing laundry because the products work so well and love the scents.” – Belinda

“Have been using this laundry soap for a while. Highly recommend!” – Toni

“I absolutely love these eco-friendly products!!! The liquid laundry detergent is amazing!” – Megan

Pros and Cons of DIY Liquid Laundry Detergent

Making your own laundry detergent can sound tempting. It’s cheap, relatively easy, and you get full control over what goes into your wash – and in turn, comes in contact with your body. But you need to understand the trade-offs before you start melting soap flakes over the stove.

Pros of Making Your Own Detergent

• Cost savings: The ingredients (soap, baking soda, and washing soda) are inexpensive and can last for months.
• Ingredient control: You can avoid fragrances, dyes, and chemicals that might irritate your skin or harm the environment.
• Sustainability: Homemade detergent means less packaging, so you can do your part to leave less of a mark on our planet.

Cons of Making Your Own Detergent

• Cleaning inconsistency: Homemade recipes usually don’t have strong enough surfactants to break down oils and heavy stains.
• Residue buildup: DIY detergents can leave soap film on clothes or inside your washing machine over time. There’s less consistency as far as the formula goes.
• Stability and safety: Mixtures could separate, spoil, or grow bacteria if not stored properly. Even WITH proper storage, shelf life is a bit of a question mark.
• Extra effort: You’ll spend time grating soap, boiling water, and cleaning up spills. In contrast, buying a natural liquid laundry detergent takes less than 30 seconds.

Save Yourself the Hassle With Clean People’s Liquid Laundry Detergent

Even with the best of intentions, you could end up regretting wasting your time and energy on a DIY liquid laundry detergent. So skip the trial and error. Our Liquid Laundry Detergent gives you everything you’re looking for in a natural formula without the mess or uncertainty!

It’s made with safer, biodegradable ingredients and zero harsh additives like SLS, parabens, phosphates, phthalates, or synthetic dyes. The formula is tough on stains but gentle on skin, color-safe, and works in all washing machines, including HE and septic systems.

Even better? It uses about 70% less plastic than standard jugs thanks to its smart refill packaging, cutting waste and energy in production. This is a laundry detergent you can feel good about.

You can also try our laundry detergent sheets or laundry detergent pods if you want something even simpler and better for the planet. These are some of our most popular products here at Clean People, and they’re made with the same philosophy. They dissolve fully, leave no residue, and deliver a spotless clean in every load.

We’ll still walk you through the homemade natural liquid laundry detergent process below if you’re curious about what all it entails. But the high-quality laundry detergent you want is just a few clicks away – shop now!

How Do You Make Natural Liquid Laundry Detergent?

Even though the BEST natural laundry detergent is right here waiting for you at Clean People, we get it – some people just prefer to take matters into their own hands! DIY liquid laundry detergent can be a fun project if you find fulfillment in the homesteading type of lifestyle.

So, how do you make natural liquid laundry detergent? Let’s start with the essential laundry detergent ingredients you’ll need to gather up.

What You’ll Need for DIY Natural Liquid Laundry Detergent

Homemade natural liquid detergent relies on a soap base, alkaline boosters, and water. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 bar of natural soap: Castile, Marseille, or coconut-based soap are the most common options. These are the cleaning backbone of your detergent.
• 1 cup washing soda (sodium carbonate): A natural water softener that helps lift dirt and neutralize odors.
• ½ cup baking soda (sodium bicarbonate): For mild abrasion and deodorizing power.
• 4-5 liters (about a gallon) of water: Used to dissolve and dilute your ingredients into a liquid consistency.
• Essential oils (optional): Lavender, lemon, or eucalyptus oil impart a fresh, natural scent. Don’t overdo it, though – you just need 10-15 drops per batch.

Step-by-Step DIY Liquid Laundry Detergent Process

Keep in mind that different soaps and water hardness levels can dramatically affect how well your DIY detergent performs. It’s best to start with a small batch before scaling up. So, how do you make natural liquid laundry detergent?

• Grate and dissolve your soap: Finely grate your natural soap bar using a cheese grater or food processor. Add the shavings to a large pot with about 1 liter of water. Heat gently while stirring until the soap fully dissolves into a smooth liquid. You don’t want to boil the concoction, because high heat can break down the soap. Be careful!
• Add the washing soda and baking soda: Stir in your washing soda and baking soda once the soap mixture is dissolved. Continue to stir until the powders are completely dissolved and the mixture thickens up a little bit.
• Dilute with water: Remove the pot from heat and add the remaining 3-4 liters of warm water. Mix thoroughly so everything is fully incorporated.
• Add essential oils (optional): Let the mixture cool slightly before adding any essential oils. Otherwise, the scent will just evaporate.
• Transfer and store: Pour your finished detergent into clean containers – glass jars, jugs, or reused detergent bottles work well. Leave some headspace for shaking, as the mixture may separate slightly over time.

You’ll end up with about a gallon of detergent. That’s usually enough for 50-70 loads, depending on how much you use per wash. That’s a lot! It’s why proper storage is so important.

Safety and Storage Tips for DIY Liquid Laundry Detergent

Natural ingredients don’t mean risk-free. You need to be really careful with your homemade natural liquid laundry detergent to stay safe and fresh:

• Label your container clearly: You’ll want to prevent accidental ingestion or confusion with other household liquids. Keep detergent out of reach, especially if you have kids.
• Keep it sealed: Exposure to oxygen can cause your detergent to thicken, separate, or even spoil if bacteria enter.
• Shake before each use: Separation is normal since there aren’t any synthetic stabilizers in your DIY liquid laundry detergent. A quick shake redistributes ingredients.
• Avoid overuse: DIY detergents tend to produce more residue, so less is more. A quarter cup per regular load is usually plenty.
• Clean your washer regularly: Soap-based cleaners can leave film inside your washing machine, especially in cold cycles or HE machines. Run an empty rinse cycle every few weeks to prevent buildup. Better yet, use our washer cleaner tablets every so often.

How Long Does DIY Liquid Laundry Detergent Last?

All good things come to an end, and homemade natural liquid laundry detergent is no exception. In fact, spoilage can happen faster in this case since there are zero preservatives added.

You’ll usually get a shelf life of 4-7 weeks, depending on temperature and humidity. But, it’s best to watch out for the signs your detergent is past its prime: separation that doesn’t remix, a sour smell, or visible mold growth. Toss your detergent if you notice any of these.

That being said, how do you make natural liquid laundry detergent last longer? We touched on the best practices already, but you can store large batches in smaller airtight containers and refrigerate portions you won’t use right away.

Final Thoughts on Homemade Natural Liquid Laundry Detergent

That does it for our guide on DIY liquid laundry detergent! We hope you have a clear understanding not just of how to make natural liquid laundry detergent, but whether it’s something worth bothering with in the first place or not.

Homemade natural liquid laundry detergent can seem like a great way to cut costs and go natural, but convenience, safety, and performance often take a hit. Clean People gives you the best of both worlds: safer, eco-friendly cleaning without the hassle or inconsistency of DIY.

Our blog has more resources on liquid vs powder laundry detergent or laundry pods vs liquid if you’d like to learn more. But whether you’re looking for the best pods, liquid, or laundry detergent sheets made in USA, your search ends here at Clean People.

Experience a cleaner, simpler laundry day with Clean People!