🧺 Homemade Laundry Soap
5 Gallons for $10 + 1 Hour of Work!
📌 In This Article
🧺 The Laundry Soap Story
"5 gallons homemade laundry soap right there! Cost me about $10 + 1 hour time....8 hours to thicken and then to bottle! I'll use 1/2 - 1 cup per load in my HE front loader. Only 4 ingredients! Smells delicious."
Laundry detergent is one of those things we buy without thinking. Bottle after bottle, month after month. But have you ever done the math? Store-bought detergent is expensive.
This homemade laundry soap changes everything. 5 gallons of liquid detergent for just $10 and 1 hour of work. It's made with only 4 ingredients, smells delicious, and works beautifully in my HE front loader.
💬 The math: "5 gallons homemade laundry soap right there! Cost me about $10 + 1 hour time... Only 4 ingredients!"
The process is simple: mix the ingredients, let it thicken for 8 hours (or overnight), then bottle it up. The result is a thick, gel-like detergent that cleans clothes beautifully without harsh chemicals.
💬 The plan: "Will be making NON TOXIC bleach tomorrow only 3 ingredients!!!"
💰 The Savings – $10 for 5 Gallons!
📊 Cost Per Load Comparison
| Store-Bought | Homemade | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per load | $0.15 – $0.25 | ~$0.03 – $0.05 |
| Cost per year (5 loads/week) | $39.00 – $65.00 | $7.80 – $13.00 |
| Annual Savings | — | $26.00 – $52.00 |
| Ingredients | Chemicals, fragrances, dyes | Natural, simple ingredients |
💵 Total savings per year: $30+ 🎉
📦 Ingredients
🧼 Only 4 Ingredients!
- 🧼 1 bar Fels-Naptha soap – Grated (or Zote, or Foca)
- 🧂 1 cup Borax – 20 Mule Team
- 🧂 1 cup Washing Soda – (Sodium Carbonate, not baking soda)
- 💧 5 gallons hot water
- 🌿 Optional: 10-20 drops essential oil for fragrance
💡 Pro tip: "Fels-Naptha is the classic choice, but Zote or Foca also work great!"
🔧 Equipment Needed
- 🥣 5-gallon bucket with lid
- 🍳 Large pot – For melting soap
- 🥄 Long spoon or stirrer
- ⚖️ Cheese grater – For the soap bar
- 🧴 Bottles or jugs – For storing
💡 Pro tip: "A 5-gallon bucket from the hardware store is perfect for this recipe."
📝 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 – Grate the Soap
- Using a cheese grater, grate the Fels-Naptha soap bar into fine shreds.
- Alternatively, chop it into small pieces and pulse in a food processor.
💡 Pro tip: "A food processor makes quick work of grating the soap!"
Step 2 – Melt the Soap
- In a large pot, heat 4 cups of water until boiling.
- Add the grated soap.
- Stir over medium-low heat until the soap is completely dissolved.
⚠️ Important: "Stir constantly — the soap can scorch if the heat is too high."
Step 3 – Add Borax and Washing Soda
- Add 1 cup Borax and 1 cup Washing Soda to the pot.
- Stir until completely dissolved.
- Remove from heat.
💡 Pro tip: "Washing soda is NOT the same as baking soda — make sure you have the right one!"
Step 4 – Combine in the Bucket
- Pour 3 gallons of hot water into the 5-gallon bucket.
- Add the soap mixture from the pot.
- Stir well to combine.
- Add essential oils if using.
💡 Pro tip: "Use hot water — it helps everything dissolve and mix evenly."
Step 5 – Let It Thicken
- Cover the bucket with a lid.
- Let it sit for 8 hours or overnight.
- The mixture will thicken into a gel-like consistency.
💡 Pro tip: "Don't worry if it separates — just stir it before using!"
Step 6 – Bottle and Store
- Stir the thickened soap well.
- Pour into bottles or jugs for easy dispensing.
- Store in a cool, dry place.
💡 Pro tip: "Use old detergent bottles or gallon jugs for storage!"
🧼 How to Use Your Homemade Laundry Soap
🧺 For HE Front Loaders
- Use 1/2 to 1 cup per load.
- Add directly to the drum or detergent dispenser.
- This soap is low-sudsing and safe for HE machines.
💡 Pro tip: "I'll use 1/2 - 1 cup per load in my HE front loader."
🧺 For Standard Top Loaders
- Use 1 cup per load.
- Add to the drum or dispenser.
💪 For Heavy Loads
- Use 1 1/2 cups for heavily soiled items.
- Add 1/2 cup white vinegar to the rinse cycle for extra softness.
💡 Pro tip: "Vinegar is a natural fabric softener — add it to the rinse cycle!"
🥫 How to Store
- 🏠 Pantry: Up to 6 months in a sealed container
- 🧊 Keep cool: Store away from direct sunlight
- 🥤 Bottles: Old detergent bottles work great
💡 Pro tip: "Shake well before each use — the ingredients may separate."
💡 Pro Tips
- 🧼 Use Fels-Naptha: It's the classic choice for homemade laundry soap.
- 🧂 Washing soda is key: Don't substitute with baking soda.
- 💧 Use hot water: It helps everything dissolve properly.
- 🕒 Let it thicken: 8 hours or overnight is essential.
- 🌿 Add essential oils: Lavender, lemon, or tea tree for fragrance.
- 🔒 Keep it sealed: Prevents evaporation.
- 🏷️ Label your containers: So you know what it is!
💡 Pro tip: "5 gallons homemade laundry soap right there! Cost me about $10 + 1 hour time!"
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is this safe for HE machines?
Yes! This soap is low-sudsing and safe for HE front loaders.
❓ How much do I use per load?
1/2 - 1 cup per load for HE machines, 1 cup for standard washers.
❓ Why do I need washing soda?
It softens water and boosts cleaning power.
❓ Can I use a different soap bar?
Yes! Zote, Foca, or even homemade soap works.
❓ How long does this last?
Up to 6 months when stored properly.
❓ Why does it separate?
That's normal — just stir or shake before using.
❓ Can I add essential oils?
Yes! Add 10-20 drops for fragrance.
❓ Is this better than store-bought?
YES! It's cheaper, natural, and works great!
❓ What if I don't have a 5-gallon bucket?
You can use multiple smaller containers.
❓ Will I ever buy laundry detergent again?
Probably not! Homemade is so much better!
📄 Printable Recipe Card
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║ HOMEMADE LAUNDRY SOAP ║
║ 5 Gallons for $10 + 1 Hour of Work! ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
YIELD: 5 gallons | TIME: 1 hour + 8 hours to thicken
COST: ~$10 | COST PER LOAD: ~$0.03-0.05
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INGREDIENTS
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- 1 bar Fels-Naptha soap (grated)
- 1 cup Borax
- 1 cup Washing Soda (not baking soda)
- 5 gallons hot water
- Optional: 10-20 drops essential oil
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INSTRUCTIONS
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1. Grate the Fels-Naptha soap bar.
2. In a large pot, heat 4 cups water to boiling.
Add grated soap and stir until dissolved.
3. Add Borax and Washing Soda. Stir until dissolved.
Remove from heat.
4. Pour 3 gallons hot water into a 5-gallon bucket.
Add soap mixture. Stir well. Add essential oils.
5. Cover and let sit for 8 hours or overnight to thicken.
6. Stir well. Pour into bottles or jugs.
7. Use 1/2 - 1 cup per load in HE machines.
Use 1 cup per load in standard washers.
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HOW TO USE
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✓ HE front loaders: 1/2 - 1 cup per load
✓ Standard top loaders: 1 cup per load
✓ Heavy loads: 1 1/2 cups per load
✓ Add vinegar to rinse cycle for softness
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CLEAN CLOTHES FOR PENNIES! 🧺
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"5 gallons homemade laundry soap right there!
Cost me about $10 + 1 hour time... Only 4
ingredients! Smells delicious!" ❤️
© CanningRebels — Homemade Laundry Soap
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