Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap: Economical and Effective Cleaning

With the rising cost of commercial laundry products, homemade alternatives offer a budget-friendly and efficient solution for keeping your clothes clean and fresh. This recipe for liquid laundry soap requires just a few simple ingredients and can be customized to suit your preferences. Discover how to create your own homemade laundry soap and embrace a more economical and sustainable approach to laundry care.

Ingredients:

  • 2 bars (240g) of grated homemade laundry bar soap
  • 1 cup of washing soda (sodium carbonate)
  • 8 cups (2 liters) of water (filtered tap or drinking water)

Method for Liquid Version:

  1. Grate the bar soap and add it to a medium-large saucepan.
  2. Combine the grated soap with washing soda and water in the saucepan.
  3. Heat the mixture gently on the stove over low-medium heat, stirring frequently until the soap is completely dissolved.
  4. Cover the pot and allow the mixture to cool slowly over a full day or overnight.
  5. Once cooled, transfer the liquid into clean storage bottles, such as recycled vinegar or detergent bottles.
  6. Optionally, add essential oils for fragrance (about 20ml or 4 teaspoons per 2-liter batch).

Method for Gel Version:

  1. Grate the soap and add it to a small-medium saucepan with 2 cups of water.
  2. Heat the mixture gently on the stove, stirring frequently until the soap is dissolved.
  3. In a separate container, dissolve washing soda in the remaining 6 cups of room temperature water.
  4. Combine the soap mixture with the water and washing soda solution, stirring thoroughly.
  5. Add essential oils if desired.
  6. Cover the container and allow the mixture to cool and set into a smooth gel consistency.

How Much to Use:

  • Use 1/4 to 1/2 cup per load, depending on your machine and the type of laundry.
  • Adjust the amount based on the size of your machine and the level of soiling.
  • Front-loading washers may require less soap compared to top-loading washers.
  • Consider water hardness and fabric type when determining the appropriate amount of soap.

Vinegar Rinse Instead of Fabric Softener:

  • Fabric softener is not recommended with homemade laundry soap.
  • Use a 50-50 mixture of vinegar and water in your fabric softener dispenser to soften fabrics and keep your washing machine clean.
  • Avoids fabric softener buildup and maintains fabric absorbency.