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Half gallon mason jar filled with light yellow homemade liquid laundry detergent.

Liquid Laundry Detergent

You no longer have to choose between unnecessary chemicals or smelly clothes. This is a great DIY laundry detergent recipe that is safe, natural, and effective.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 32 loads

Ingredients
  

  • ¼ C borax
  • ¼ C washing soda
  • ½ C liquid castile soap
  • 7 ½ C hot water (divided)
  • 10-15 drops essential oil (optional)

Equipment

  • 1 half gallon mason jar
  • 1 wide mouth mason jar lid
  • 1 measuring cup

Method
 

  1. Measure and pour borax and washing soda into a half gallon mason jar.
  2. Add about half the hot water. Shake vigorously to make sure everything is dissolved and there are no clumps.
  3. Add remaining hot water plus the liquid castile soap.
  4. Add essential oils if desired.
  5. Use ¼ C (2oz) per load.

Notes

  • An easy pour wide mouth mason jar lid works great to reduce spilling when pouring the liquid laundry detergent into your measuring cup for each load.
  • I would not use a dispenser with a spigot, because as you can see in the instructions photos, the liquid laundry detergent will thicken after about 24 hours.
  • You can easily multiply this recipe to suit the storage container size of your choice. There is no reason this liquid laundry detergent should expire, within reason, so it is a great recipe to make in bulk.
  • This recipe yields 8 C of liquid laundry detergent. If you use a ¼ C (2oz) per load, this should last you 32 loads.
  • My favorite scent is made by using 1/2 C lavender liquid castile soap with 10-15 drops of tea tree essential oil.
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