This is easy and economical. I still use the commercial stuff to pre-treat stains; like Shout, or Spray and Wash, but this homemade soap works as well as any store-bought stuff.

Homemade Laundry Soap (liquid)

All ingredients can be purchased for under $5-6 for all! and will make several batches.


1 quart Water (boiling) + 2 more gallons of room temp water

2 cups Bar soap (grated) Naptha is best. (I use Octagon, it seems to work as well. But any laundry bar soap without oils added will work.)

2 cups Borax

2 cups Super Washing Soda (it’s an Arm & Hammer box found next to the borax-must use exactly this!)


*Heat 1 quart of water to a boil in a medium-sized pan

*Add finely grated bar soap to the boiling water, stir until soap is melted. You can keep on low heat until soap is melted.

(2 cups is all but a small chunk of the bar soap, I use the whole bar.)

* Pour the soap water into a large clean pail or 5 gallon bucket, immediately add the borax and washing soda, stir well until all is dissolved. (I would suggest adding the powdered ingredients in small batches, and stirring until partially dissolved before adding more.)

*Add 2 gallons of room temperature water (not hot, not cold) stir until well mixed.

*Cover pail/bucket leave overnight (will gel) Wait till soap has sat overnight before filling bottles.

*You may add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons once soap has cooled:
Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil. (I have yet to try any of these.)

*Shake bottle before each use (It does does separate when it sits)

*Use 1/4 to 1/2 cup per load. (I use 1 cup for large loads)

*Save up old laundry detergent bottles to store this in. Or, I actually use old 1 gallon vinegar jugs.
Note: soap isn't as sudsy as you might be used to, but do not worry, it has nothing to do with the cleaning power.