Making your own liquid detergent can be a cost-effective alternative to buying commercial products. Here's a simple recipe for homemade liquid detergent using common ingredients:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of grated bar soap (choose a mild soap like Castile soap or a laundry soap bar)
- 1/2 cup of washing soda
- 1/2 cup of borax
- Optional: Essential oils for fragrance (lavender, lemon, or tea tree oils work well)
Instructions:
- Grate the bar soap using a cheese grater or food processor until you have 1 cup of grated soap.
- In a large pot, add 4 cups of water and heat it until it simmers.
- Add the grated soap to the simmering water and stir continuously until the soap dissolves completely.
- Add the washing soda and borax to the pot, stirring well until they dissolve.
- Remove the pot from heat and let the mixture cool for a few minutes.
- If desired, add a few drops of essential oils for fragrance and stir well.
- Transfer the mixture to a large container or several smaller bottles for storage.
- Let the detergent sit for 24 hours to thicken and cool completely.
To use the homemade liquid detergent, add about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the mixture per load of laundry, depending on the size and dirtiness of the load. Give the container a shake before each use, as the ingredients may separate over time.
Please note that homemade detergents may not be as powerful as commercial ones, especially for tough stains or heavily soiled items. Additionally, this recipe may not be suitable for all types of washing machines, particularly high-efficiency (HE) machines. It's always a good idea to test the homemade detergent on a small load or consult your machine's manufacturer guidelines before using it extensively.
Lastly, keep in mind that washing soda and borax may be irritants, so handle them with care and keep the detergent out of reach of children and pets.