DIY Laundry Detergent for a Front Loader

If you are on a budget or have a large family, make your own laundry detergent rather than purchasing expensive commercial detergents. A little bit goes a long way, especially for a front-loading washer that needs less detergent than a top-loading machine. The ingredients you need to make DIY laundry detergent are typically available in the cleaning aisle of your supermarket or hardware store. If you prefer a scented laundry detergent, add your favorite essential oil.

Things You'll Need

Fels-Naptha or Castile soap
Pot
5-gallon bucket
Washing soda

Borax
Essential oil (optional)
Plastic wrap
Plastic containers

Instructions

- 1
  Grate a bar of Fels-Naptha soap or Castile soap, using a cheese grater. These are low-sud soaps ideal for front-loading washing machines. Melt the grated soap on the stove in a pan with 6 cups of simmering water.
- 2
  Pour the hot soapy water into a 5-gallon bucket. Add 1 cup of washing soda and 1 cup of powdered Borax. Add 10 to 15 drops of your favorite essential oil, if desired. Fill the bucket the rest of the way with hot water and cover with plastic wrap. Let the mixture sit overnight, recommends Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College.
- 3
  Stir the liquid in the 5-gallon bucket. Some of it will have gelled overnight, which is OK. Fill old laundry bottles or other plastic containers halfway with the detergent from the 5-gallon bucket. Fill the other half with hot water and shake.
- 4
  Shake the bottle of homemade liquid detergent before each use. Use 3/4 cup of detergent for an average-size load in a front-loading washing machine. You may need to experiment with how much detergent you need to get your clothes clean, states Utah State University.

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