HEALTH/ Natural Products

Easy No-Grate No Cook Liquid Laundry Detergent

Liquid Laundry Detergent Ingredients

My Search For A No-Grate Liquid Laundry Detergent

I’ve been making my own homemade laundry detergent for a few years now. As much as I loved my powder laundry detergent AND my previous liquid laundry detergent, I grew tired of grating soap.  When I saw a pin on Pinterest from One Good Thing from Jilly on No-Grate Laundry Detergent, I clicked on it right away!

Jump to Recipe

LIquid Laundry Detergent Ingredients

The Easiest No-Grate Detergent Recipe

I could not believe how easy this recipe was, and you won’t either! It’s 3 T. Borax, 3 T. Washing Soda & 3 T. Liquid Soap. Add boiling water, do a little shimmy shake, and you’re DONE!

 

Scoop of Borax

Washing Soda Measuring Cup

Liquid Soap

 

The original recipe called for Dawn dishwashing detergent and stated that it was great for grease stains. I wanted to keep mine a bit purer and I had this Dr. Bronners Peppermint Castile Soap, so I decided to give it a try. I have been very, very pleased with the results.  It washes just as well as my other homemade laundry detergents but only takes a couple minutes to mix up. I used some old laundry detergent bottles I had saved from when I got tired of grating soap and bought detergent from Trader Joes. They are 1/2 gallon size and perfect for reusing over and over.

 

Funnel with laundry detergent ingredients

 

The ease of using a funnel and using my electric teapot to heat the water make this so nice. I love that I don’t have to turn my stove on and boiling water is ready in seconds. So I will be sticking with this recipe! Easy!!

 

Electric Teapot

Liquid Laundry Detergent Gallons

No-Grate No Cook Liquid Homemade Laundry Detergent
Ingredients
  • 3 Tbsp Borax
  • 3 Tbsp Washing Soda
  • 3 Tbsp Dawn Dish Detergent (or Dr. Bronner's Liquid Castile Soap)
  • 4 cups Boiling water (water doesn't count as cooking, right?!:))
  • Cold water
Instructions
  1. Measure 3 tablespoons borax and 3 tablespoons washing soda into a glass measure. I like to use one with a spout. Mix together well. 

  2. Using the funnel, pour into 1-gallon jug. Add 3 tablespoons soap. 

  3. Add 4 cups boiling water. Swirl mixture around gently, or mix with a spoon. Then fill to the top with cold water. It will bubble up and it will also be quite runny.

2 half gallon jug directions:
  1.  Measure 3 tablespoons borax & 3 tablespoons washing soda in a 4 cup pyrex glass measure.  Mix.  

  2. Add 2 cups boiling water. Mix. 

  3. Add 3 Tablespoons soap. Mix. 

  4. Divide this mixture evenly into each 1/2 gallon jug, using a funnel. Add 1 more cup of boiling water to each jug. 

  5. Fill each jug to the top with cold water and gently turn upside down & right side up to combine.

Recipe Notes
  • DO NOT vigorously shake, as people in the comments have been burned when the steam produced too much pressure when they took the lid off.
  • Use 1/2-1 cup per load depending on how large and how soiled the load is.
  • It is not a sudsy detergent, and comments in original post say it is fine for HE washers.

Makes 1 gallon

 

You may also be interested in…

DIY Daily Sink Scrub

Homemade Laundry Detergent

My Daughter’s Homemade Laundry Detergent Science Project

 

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  • Chelsie Dusseault
    October 18, 2016 at 3:52 am

    I’m not sure if this has been said, but for the smelly musky clothes do you add baking soda each load or to the actual homemade soap. Either way how much of it?

  • Carla
    July 24, 2016 at 1:34 am

    Do you have to stir or shake it each time you use it?

    • AmyNewNostalgia
      July 25, 2016 at 6:14 pm

      Yes, I give it a bit of a shake with each use.

  • Anonymous
    April 23, 2016 at 10:03 pm

    I’m not sure if this has already been asked and answered but I recently switched to Dr. Bronner’s because of my very sensitive skin.

    All of the recipes I see to use it for laundry say to use with Borax and Washing Soda but on the Bronner’s bottle it just suggests using 1/4 cup per load.

    So my question is, what is the reason for adding these other products? Just trying to learn!

    Thanks!

    • AmyNewNostalgia
      April 25, 2016 at 1:56 pm

      My guess would be cleaning power. I also wonder about cost. Dr. Bronners is pretty pricey so I wonder what 1/4 cup per load would cost? The extra borax, washing soda and water stretches the Dr. Bronners soap for sure… Good question!

  • Aimee H.
    April 22, 2016 at 11:14 am

    I use cold water for washing clothes and I’ve been using the Tide Coldwater. With switching to homemade laundry soap, which I’m excited about, I am not having success using cold water. This soap recipe turns into gel and doesn’t go through the dispenser on my front load washing machine. Any suggestions? Any way to tweak this recipe to stay liquid even when using cold water?

    • Heather Benzel
      June 30, 2016 at 9:19 am

      I use this recipe with cold water every time, although mine is tweaked at 3 tbs dry ingredients and 2 tbs soap per 6 cups of water. I also add a few capfuls of Young Living thieves household cleaner to mine. No problem with gelling in my front loader HE on cold!

  • Simona
    March 28, 2016 at 12:16 pm

    Hi, I’m going to try this as my son has sensitive skin and even tho I use natural laundry detergent I have to keep changing it every now and then…like his skin gets use to them! Can I use method dish soap instead of the Dr. Bronner ones? And is it Borax ok with sensitive skin?

    • Anonymous
      April 21, 2016 at 7:58 am

      Exactly how much cold water am I adding to this recipe, since I’m using a different container it’s hard to tell how much I shoulda add.?

  • Candace
    September 1, 2015 at 2:41 pm

    Interested where you get your clear plastic containers?!

    • AmyNewNostalgia
      September 2, 2015 at 12:41 pm

      They were old TraderJoes laundry detergent bottles with the labels removed.

  • Amy
    May 16, 2015 at 11:08 am

    I’ve used a very similar recipe but on a more concentrated level and it was a no cook version which I whipped up on my blender. It used the borax, washing soda and fels napa bar. Unfortunately I now have a top loader washer which locks and doesn’t allow me to add the soap while the water is running so I need a liquid version.
    I love the idea of using Epsom salt instead of borax (anyone know could you use both?)
    I’m concerned about dawn creating too much suds for HE machines causing the machine to run longer cycles (anyone have experience with this?)
    Does using essential oils leave oil marks on the clothing? I already switched from using liquid softner to dryer sheets because of that problem.
    I also noticed that my clothes are not as white (especially my whites which I end up having to bleach anyway) Doesn’t adding vinegar make your clothes smell like salad dressing? Are there any other ideas to get things white, clean, smell good without leaving “oil marks or stains”, cost effective, environmentally safe…wow what a list.
    I might try the tide version of this recipe to see if that helps with the “dingies” or maybe adding some baking soda.
    I read somewhere that mixing vinegar with bleach creates toxic chlorine gas so if you add vinegar just make sure you don’t add bleach to your wash or at least be aware that may be dangerous. I’m beginning to feel like a chemist about to blow up my lab. 🙂

  • Sonya
    March 17, 2015 at 5:04 pm

    I made some today and washed my husband’s work clothes which smell oily sometimes. They are in the dryer now and they still smell. Any advice?

    • pam
      April 29, 2015 at 12:34 am

      Yes add baking soda.or oxi clean

      • Sonya
        April 29, 2015 at 12:54 pm

        Thanks! I have been using this homemade laundry soap and I have very happy overall. I sometimes fill by soap dispenser AND add some more where the liquid bleach goes.

        • Diane
          September 25, 2016 at 10:04 am

          You might also want to try adding more laundry soap for more soiled or oily clothes along with baking soda or oxy clean

    • Robin
      July 13, 2015 at 7:24 pm

      Try a certified pure therapeutic grade essential oil. 😉 I use 30 drops of lemon or lavender…or whatever smell I’m in the mood for!

    • Shelly
      August 7, 2015 at 10:14 pm

      We use about a 1/4 to 1/2 cup of vinegar to our laundry. We just put the vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser. The odor will go away once the clothes are dry.

    • Karen
      August 21, 2015 at 4:31 pm

      I’m with the Vinegar!! My husbands clothes are so smelly and vinegar is the only thing to get it out. It neutralizes odors. I put it in the fabric softener dispenser.

      • Sonya
        August 24, 2015 at 6:44 pm

        Thanks, Karen. I tried that, but since then I have had a very good result with adding baking soda in the spot marked pre-wash where you would put some type of powder like borax and it worked great.

    • Anonymous
      March 3, 2016 at 1:04 pm

      Add some purex or your kind of sent booster.

    • Anonymous
      September 16, 2016 at 7:37 am

      Add about a cup or more of white vinegar to wash and to the rinse cycle.

    • LIZ
      September 16, 2016 at 7:38 am

      Add about 1 cup or more of white vinegar to the wash and also the rinse cycle.

  • Anonymous
    March 10, 2015 at 11:51 pm

    I have been making laundry soap this way for several years. I make it in a 5 gal bucket. Stir with a large wooden spoon.

  • Mandi
    March 1, 2015 at 6:54 am

    Is this front loader safe?

    • AmyNewNostalgia
      March 2, 2015 at 8:41 am

      I don’t have a front loader but have read in the comments that it can be used in front loader.

  • Susanna
    December 24, 2014 at 11:21 am

    This is amazing stuff. I add three tbs. of citric acid (otherwise known as sour salt – you can buy in bulk on Amazon) to boost the cleaning power. I have very hard well water and the citric acid helps a bunch.

    • Ashton
      July 15, 2015 at 3:23 pm

      Do you add the citric acid each time you do a load, or just to the original recipe?

  • Cherie
    November 18, 2014 at 11:36 am

    Is this ready to be used as soon as it’s all mixed up, or should it sit overnight? I tried a liquid detergent before where I used the same ingredients (but different measurements) & I had to let it sit covered overnight — it made it more “chunky” but I found that it only turned out like that half the time.

    • AmyNewNostalgia
      November 18, 2014 at 10:07 pm

      I use mine right away. It is very liquid-y…but that is how it is supposed to be.

  • anne
    November 16, 2014 at 1:47 pm

    Do NOT put on the lid and shake the hot mixture. My lid blew off and I scalded my hand. Swirl it around or mix with a spoon.

    • AmyNewNostalgia
      November 18, 2014 at 10:09 pm

      Oh my…so sorry about that. I’ve been making this for a long time and never had that happen…but I could see how it could. Thanks for the tip.

    • Jenn
      February 4, 2015 at 4:03 pm

      I shook mine but stopped every few seconds to let the steam out…

    • Teddy
      February 28, 2015 at 3:53 pm

      I wish I read the comments first. I got scalded as well. However, this is easer that making big vats of it and having to grate the soap, I use to do it that way. I will just be more careful next time.

  • Andrea
    November 5, 2014 at 9:56 am

    Would it be possible to mix the 3 Tbsp of borax, washing soda, and soap with JUST the 4 cups of boiling water to make a more concentrated liquid and add less to the wash?

    • Anonymous
      February 3, 2015 at 12:02 pm

      I have made this without adding the extra water and it works great. I use 1/4 to 1/2 cup depending on load size and soil amount.

  • Tessa
    October 27, 2014 at 11:46 pm

    I am maingbmynsecond batch of this soap. The first batch worked wonderfully. I use eucalyptus castile soap and few drops of both tea tree and lavender ess. oils

  • Jessica
    October 23, 2014 at 12:42 pm

    When I shook the bottle, the lid popped due to pressure and shot the stuff all over my celing and wall lol. Anyone else have this issue? How can I prevent this?

    • AmyNewNostalgia
      October 24, 2014 at 9:05 am

      Whoa! I wonder what caused that pressure? I have never had that happen. Does it happen again once you put the lid back on and shake?

      • Rae-Michele
        January 9, 2015 at 9:38 am

        She shook the bottle too vigorously. The steam builds up pressure and causes the lid to blow. This will happen if you shake any hot liquid. Maybe the size bottle you use allows you to add enough cold water to cool your hot liquids down. Or maybe some are just adding the ingredients straight into the bottle before mixing trying to skip a step? These are some thoughts

  • Meagan
    October 2, 2014 at 1:22 am

    Is this supposed to gel ? Mine is very runny after over 6 hours now….Is that normal ??

    • AmyNewNostalgia
      October 2, 2014 at 11:45 am

      Hi Meagan.Yes, very normal. Mine is usually runny, too. If you prefer more of a concentrate, you could use half water & half amount per load. I hope you love it as much as I do..I’ve been using this recipe for a couple years now & it has saved us so much money!

  • Judy Durham
    September 13, 2014 at 8:29 am

    Doesn’t the boiling water melt the plastic jugs?

    • AmyNewNostalgia
      September 13, 2014 at 9:22 am

      Nope. Not at all–I’ve used them over and over, too, so it doesn’t seem to be breaking them down, either.

  • » Ridiculously Easy DIY Laundry Detergent Whole Life Mom
    September 2, 2014 at 7:38 pm

    […] was not going to cross it.  Then a wise and resourceful friend (yeah Juliet!) shared a recipe for no grate laundry detergent and well, it looked ridiculously easy.  I decided to give it a […]

  • Veronica S.
    August 19, 2014 at 9:47 pm

    Vinegar not only prevents build up but is a good natural fabric softener as well.

    • Cheri
      June 16, 2015 at 7:24 pm

      I have read that soap (a base) and vinegar (an acid) will cancel each other out. Thus I add vinegar to the rinse.
      Any chemist know if this is true?

      • Erin
        August 13, 2015 at 11:09 am

        Cheri, you are correct. Adding vinegar, lemon juice, or any other acid to the detergent will neutralize the mixture and render it ineffective. Adding vinegar to the rinse water is ideal.

  • colleen
    June 27, 2014 at 7:58 pm

    Amy, you are awesome! Thank you for the quick-n-easy!! God bless you and may peace love and joy fill your life and all your loved ones’ lives from now til the end of forever. <3

  • Ari
    June 27, 2014 at 7:20 pm

    I love this recipe, so easy to make! Works especially well when I use it to wash my dog beds and blankets, takes away the odor. Only tiny compliant is it doesn’t keep my whites very white, but other than that, I love it!!!!!!

    • Anonymous
      September 14, 2014 at 2:11 pm

      Try adding a cup of lemon juice to whites.

  • Marnie Krajicek
    June 21, 2014 at 6:50 pm

    I love this recipe. I added 2 tablespoons of my Thieves Concentrated Household Cleaner to the recipe and love it even more.

  • JulianneBeth
    February 26, 2014 at 3:27 am

    Thank you so much for posting this!! So far I really love it! The only issue I’ve had is that after my detergent cooled down i ended up with large white chunks. Any advise? Is that normal? Maybe I didn’t mix it well enough before adding the cold water. Do you have any good laundry softener recipes to share? 😀 thanks again!

    • Crystal
      March 30, 2015 at 3:36 pm

      I have the same problem. I’ve made two rounds so far and both have been chunky. I’m looking for an answer too.

      • Kim
        December 21, 2015 at 9:39 pm

        Mixed my first concentrated batch of this recipe. So far, so good except for the chunks which settle to the bottom of the container and form around the lid. Any advice?

        • AmyNewNostalgia
          December 23, 2015 at 11:57 am

          shake, shake, shake! I shake every time before using. Do the clumps disappear when you shake it? They should. Let me know how it works for you!

          • Kim
            April 23, 2016 at 6:54 pm

            I made my second batch of the concentrated solution and mixed the ingredients in a plastic pitcher. I used a wooden spoon to stir for a few minutes before adding to the container. Everything seemed to dissolve just fine. I did not have the chunks this time plus the mixture had cooled a bit, and I could shake with no problem.

  • Anonymous
    February 8, 2014 at 8:16 pm

    Washing soda and baking soda are identical.
    Baking soda is ”bicarbonate of soda” and washing soda is ”sodium bicarbonate”. The difference is price. Washing soda is higher by the ounce.
    Note, the large size boxes are not the same weight, but by the ounce, baking soda is cheaper. Check the price per ounce… Baking soda is usually in the cooking/baking area, washing soda is in the detergent area.

    • Alisha
      July 4, 2014 at 10:37 am

      Not exactly. Washing Soda has been heated to 400 degrees for one hour. Not sure what that does to it, but it does change the chemical make up of it.

    • Dawn
      November 7, 2014 at 9:54 pm

      Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, washing soda is sodium carbonate. Not the same thing.

    • Dorene
      January 8, 2015 at 6:52 am

      According to Arm & Hammer’s site…Baking Soda and Washing Soda are not quite the same…
      Baking Soda is made of 100% Sodium Bicarbonate. Super Washing Soda is made of 100% Sodium Carbonate. While they sound similar, they are not the same. Both products can be used to improve liquid laundry performance for cleaner, fresher clothes. Both products can also be used for cleaning around the house. Baking Soda can be used in baking, as a dentifrice and as an antacid, Super Washing Soda cannot. Super Washing Soda should never be ingested. Be sure to check product packaging for specific uses and recommendations.

  • Anonymous
    January 28, 2014 at 4:53 pm

    Washing soda is chemically similar to baking soda and can, in fact, be made by heating baking soda in the oven. Do a Google search for the proper procedure. Washing soda is getting easier to find at the store these days, however, and is stocked by most Walmarts near the laundry detergents. I have a comment about the idea of adding fabric softener to this recipe for fragrance. Fabric softener is meant to follow detergent, not be added to it. Soaps are alkaline and softeners are acidic (which is why vinegar makes a fine “softener”). So some of the cleaning power of the detergent will be neutralized if you add softener to it. But also, why add something filled with synthetic ingredients to this natural product? That doesn’t make sense to me. Another thing that doesn’t make sense, which someone else can address, is why not make this a 1-gallon concentrate and then just use less? One-half to one cup is more than most other homemade detergents recommend… but maybe there’s a reason for it.

    • Anonymous
      October 17, 2014 at 10:41 am

      Target carries as well now

  • Anonymous
    December 13, 2013 at 8:35 pm

    what is washing soda

  • Ally Senterfitt
    December 11, 2013 at 7:42 pm

    Quick question: If this recipe calls for a gallon of water, and you said you used a half gallon jugs. Do you divide the recipe in half for your half gallons? Or was it a typo and you meant half gallon jugs?

  • dry cleaning and laundry Aledo TX
    November 25, 2013 at 6:30 pm

    Thanks for your laundry detergent, recipe, gonna try this out!

  • Sandy Roerish
    November 12, 2013 at 3:50 am

    I copied it and going to go to store to get Ingredients and make it and see if it works…

  • Anonymous
    November 10, 2013 at 7:26 pm

    i love the recipe and I found that it worked quite well but you might want to put a note in the recipe for those that choose to use ones scented with essential oils- or add their own- the oils can be a fire hazard when used in the dryer. My washer has a note on it “Materials with oils of any kind should not go in the dryer. Doing so can result in explosion, fire or death.” Essential oils are flammable.

    • Anonymous
      November 22, 2013 at 5:15 pm

      Esential oils are usually steam distilled and do not have actual oil in it unless its diluted with jojoba oil, which is actually a liquid wax, not an oil. I do not recommend using essential oils diluted with jojoba as those are better suited for skin. But essential oils that are non diluted are perfectly fine and should not cause a problem.

  • gardenofgoodeatin
    October 25, 2013 at 7:48 pm

    Thanks for the recipe! We will be trying this soon.

  • Ashlee jenna
    October 9, 2013 at 11:07 am

    Wow these are so cute and i love the recipes as well!

    Laundry products

  • LaRinda
    September 20, 2013 at 3:48 am

    If I add 3 Tbsp. Hydrogen peroxide and give it a kick like oxi clean?

  • darylee83
    September 12, 2013 at 7:26 pm

    Does this recipe get thick like normal detergent? Or does it stay very liquidy?

  • Anonymous
    August 23, 2013 at 9:33 pm

    Dr. Bronner’s does make a baby mild liquid soap. I use it all the time when I make my cleansing conditioners.

  • Colette
    August 22, 2013 at 6:16 pm

    Is this for gray water use? My washer drains out to some trees.

  • Ellen Bagetakos Handlin
    August 22, 2013 at 6:51 am

    Thanks so much for the share! I’m excited to get started. Any idea where I could purchase the containers in your blog!?

  • Ellen Bagetakos Handlin
    August 22, 2013 at 6:50 am

    Thanks so much for the share! Where would I be able to find a bottle like the one in your blog?

    • Amy Bowman
      August 22, 2013 at 3:25 pm

      Those bottles had Trader Joes brand laundry detergent in them. I used the detergent and took the labels off, so they are recycled. 🙂

    • Anonymous
      October 16, 2013 at 12:59 am

      If you need empty bottles and don’t mind running out to your local laundrymat, you can get tons in the waste can. I picked up a few when I started making this.

  • A. Gaylene Glove
    August 22, 2013 at 3:55 am

    Wow! This is great!! I make my OWN liquid soaps, and have asked (on soapmaking groups) for a recipe on using my liquid soap in laundry. . . But I never received the answer.

    Im so glad I saw this!! The only difference I would do is to Double All ingredients (except for water) and still make this into just 1 gallon. . . . . I like the soap concentrated, to use less. Seems to last longer, I dont run out as fast. . . And I can use a few drops to pre-treat as needed!

    Finally!!! I got what I have been looking for! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

    PS— To All of those asking— THIS IS 100% SAFE TO USE IN HE WASHERS!
    Using Liquid Castile soap, or other natural liquid soaps. . . ( I make a 50/50 blend of Coconut & Lard when I make my liquid soap, or for a more cleansing soap I use 50/50 mix of Palm kernel & coconut). . . .

  • Julie Robinson
    August 21, 2013 at 9:41 pm

    Looking forward to trying this out to save $.

  • T
    August 21, 2013 at 4:02 pm

    the laundry saop I made before with grating the soap I added fabric softner to it and it smelled good NOW that I seen this recipe soooo much easier and I will still add my fabric softner to let it have the nice smell. I figured all the ingredients except water is 3T so that will be how much fabric softner I will start out with and if anything maybe up it to 4T

  • Angela Heindl
    August 21, 2013 at 5:06 pm

    I have tried a few others. didnt like them. Now i have not tried this one, do you think it gets stains out as good as the grated kind. and It uses alot less BORAX. I have a whole crew of messy people in my family and the grated kind has saved me the pain of pre treating everything. I throw them all in and they come out clean. No I do agree that the grating is a bit time biter but the reward is clean cloths. just un sure

  • Anonymous
    August 21, 2013 at 4:30 pm

    Does it clean as well as the soap you get from the store? That has been my issue with all homemade laundry soaps so far- the clothes come out looking a bit dingier than they used to 🙁 Would love to find a cheaper homemade alternative, but I am afraid it would just be a waste of effort. Any thoughts?

    • Anonymous
      September 22, 2013 at 2:14 pm

      Are you using an HE washer? I found that my HE washer just doesn’t come out as clean as a traditional washer no matter WHICH detergents I use – everything just becomes dingy… The only thing I’ve found to compensate is to add OxyClean to any load that doesn’t have blacks or navy blue in them, run it hot and run a double rinse cycle (so much for “high efficiency”) I’ll never buy an HE again…. (I read somewhere that you can add a teaspoon of TSP which is supposed to combat the dingies as well but I worry about toxicity)

    • Anonymous
      October 16, 2013 at 1:44 am

      I use vingar in the bleach location, cleans the machine as well as your clothes.

    • Rachelle
      November 30, 2013 at 2:59 pm

      The Borax works for keeping whites white. If you have hard water, that’s what makes your whites turn gray. Now if I could control the deodorant stains in the husband’s T-shirts!

    • Anonymous
      January 3, 2014 at 8:09 pm

      If the t-shirts are white, try soaking in hydrogen peroxide.

    • Vicki Perry
      February 9, 2014 at 1:13 pm

      Because of all of the controversy around Borax, I’ve replaced it with sea salt or epsom salts. Works great and does the same thing. Plus, it is 100% natural. Safer for the environment and the people using it. And you can buy epsom salts with scent added.

  • Deanie
    August 21, 2013 at 4:01 pm

    I use diluted Castille soap for hand soap and even diluted it produces a ton of suds. Suds are not good for HE machines. My machine is practically brand new and I’m afraid to try it. Has anyone used this in HE machines???

  • Kathy
    August 21, 2013 at 4:00 pm

    I have an HE washer and I use a quarter of a cup measuring cup that I fill it about three quarters of the way full. I doubled my recipe (I use one good thing with dawn) so I have four gallons. I do have to shake it before each use and I have arthritis in my fingers and hands so I shake my gallon jug and then pour some in an old half gallon syrup bottle and I am good to go. My clothes come out super super clean. I am very pleased as I am with all of Jillee home made recipes.

    • Sharon
      May 31, 2014 at 11:13 pm

      Hi Kathy, can you give me your recipe for making 4 gallons of your liquid laundry detergent?? Did you say you use dawn liquid soap?? Thanks for sharing this will save me so much money.

  • Shannon Read
    August 21, 2013 at 3:54 pm

    Does this have to be blue dawn or can it be used with the other scented ones as well?

    • Anonymous
      January 15, 2014 at 11:59 pm

      I use Ajax Orange to clean EVERYTHING in my house. It is FANTASTIC for absolutely ALL of my cleaning needs. Not just my dishes. And its a safe alternative to all those chemical cleaners. Since I have a little guy. So I’m going to give that a try.

  • Marsha Thompson
    August 21, 2013 at 3:39 pm

    Hello, im new to all of these handmade products, please where can you purchase washing soda? Sorry for the silly question. If i dont ask i wont know!
    Thank you for your patience and knowledge

    • Anonymous
      September 22, 2013 at 3:49 pm

      wal mart normally has it

  • Marsha Thompson
    August 21, 2013 at 3:37 pm

    Im new to this, forgive my question but what is washing soda and where do you find it?

    • Anonymous
      August 22, 2013 at 3:03 am

      Washing soda is similar to baking soda. You can find it in the laundry section. Usually its in a box near the borax.

  • Anonymous
    August 21, 2013 at 3:35 pm

    For they “Naturalist” that don’t want to use Dawn, add a few drops of Eucalyptus essential oil, It is a great grease cutter.

  • Anonymous
    August 21, 2013 at 3:34 pm

    I can’t seem to find the answer to whether or not it is okay to use this in High Efficiency washing machines. I’d really like to know.

    • Anonymous
      August 31, 2013 at 7:11 pm

      If you’ll reread the comments you’ll find it does say in several places that it’s ok to use in HE washers..

    • Anonymous
      August 31, 2013 at 7:12 pm

      Try WalMart..

  • Anonymous
    August 19, 2013 at 7:00 pm

    I just made this yesterday myself! I used the blue dawn. I do miss the super good smell on my clothes. And I used about a cup & a half to my supersize load. LOVE the savings…might have to try other liquid soaps.

    • Anonymous
      August 21, 2013 at 5:22 pm

      You seriously do not need a cup and a half per load. It will get clean with as little as 1/3 to 1/2 cup depending on how big your loads are. Save more money by using less.

    • Norma Emilia
      November 12, 2013 at 1:18 am

      will try this. As for those that wish to have a bit of good smell, essential oils can be added.

    • Anonymous
      January 15, 2014 at 11:55 pm

      I’ve seen in other “DIY Laundry Detergent” blogs where people add some of their favorite fabric softener or essential oil for scent. I’m going to try this recipe doing this. While adding a water softener.

  • CrazyFalconer
    August 14, 2013 at 2:58 am

    JLUI,
    Absolutly we only have cold water for laundry and I have been using this the original recipe since I saw it on ” One Good thing by Jillee ( http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/ ) with Dawn and have loved it. Still using but my first box of borax and washing soda after an average of 6 loads a week for about 5+ months.. It is awesome stuff.. I will never go back to over priced soaps ever again.

  • Anonymous
    August 7, 2013 at 3:12 pm

    Love this recipe so much! Thank you!

  • Geraldine Valles
    July 11, 2013 at 12:25 pm

    Are these two Different recipes you have here. THANK YOU..

  • Anonymous
    May 30, 2013 at 2:42 pm

    Is this as safe as dreft? I have a baby due in a few weeks and my oldest has eczema

    • Lara
      July 21, 2013 at 7:42 pm

      You probably have had your baby by now — congratulations!! — but just so you know, I did see a baby safe unscented bottle of Dr. Bronner’s castile soap. Just thought that may be handy 🙂

    • Anonymous
      August 21, 2013 at 3:43 pm

      Dr Bronner makes a gental baby bar soap …I am not sure about liquid ,,, but any way I used this gental bar soap for making my liquid laundry soap for my friend for he has cancer … I just cut it up on cutting board,, let it melt on the the cook top {Nuwave} until it melted then added borax & washing soda .. poured into bucket & added the rest of water ……………. he likes this very much …. & so do I ……………….. it works just fine …I will look to see if this gental baby is in liquid form .. hope you do too………………….!!

    • Anonymous
      October 16, 2013 at 12:06 am

      This is safe,,,No Chemicals,,,,,Natural ingredients….Dr. B’s is great…is concentrated, have used it for over 40yrs. it is multi purpose soap, can brush your teeth …or scrub your floors with it! I want to make this, as SG Laundry Soap is expensive, can’t wait 😀

  • Anonymous
    May 9, 2013 at 1:16 am

    I’ve never used borax or washing soda before. Are they unscented?

    • Anonymous
      August 21, 2013 at 3:53 pm

      Yes.

  • Amanda
    March 15, 2013 at 2:59 am

    Made this using Dawn the first time (had nothing better and needed it immediately) and this time I used Dr. Bronner’s. Smells amazing! I’m so glad you posted this recipe! I’ve been cooking our detergent for a while and let’s just say me and the grinder are not friends. I don’t have a fancy grinding thingy and I’m not comfortable putting soap through my food processor… I can’t tell you how many times I skinned my finger across the grinder, crumbling a bar of soap!

    • Anonymous
      May 15, 2013 at 2:49 pm

      I don’t like grating either. I took the shortcut of chunking the soap and letting it dissolve into the hot water. Takes a little longer but it saves the knuckles.

    • Anonymous
      August 21, 2013 at 7:43 pm

      I’ve discovered that if you use Ivory bar soap, you can put it in the microwave for a little bit and it fluffs up like a big marshmallow, and the result is soft and easy to turn into powder with your bare hands. Who knew?!

    • Anonymous
      August 22, 2013 at 3:59 am

      I’ve been grating my own soap for a couple years – first I tried the cooking method – too much work, then the grating for the dry rendition. I found a large, Salad Shooter at a garage sale and used the grating cylinder and used it just for grating my soap and it works great, but I’m definitely going to try this faster version and i like the fact that it’s liquid.

  • JLui
    February 18, 2013 at 2:48 am

    Could you use this for cold water wash?

    • Britni Shameless
      January 8, 2014 at 6:26 am

      ive used one where you actually grate the soap. I was lazy and just chopped it…. my detergent is a little chunky. But the point im making is I use it and it works amazing in the cold wash. I just shake it a bit before I pour in.. but remember I have globs of soap from being lazy. Just use a rinse cycle I know my machine you can skip the rinse cycle.

  • Lis Cook
    February 6, 2013 at 1:14 am

    So, once you add the cold water, this makes 1/2 Gallon?

    • Amy Bowman
      February 6, 2013 at 6:17 pm

      No, it makes 1 gallon. I used two 1/2 gallon containers.

  • jacquelyn
    February 4, 2013 at 3:17 am

    Hi there,
    Came across your blog while searching for “natural disinfectant recipe”. I saw the word “cancer” somewhere and did a double take. Read through some of your past entries and blessed to have done so. I was diagnosed in Sept 2011 with stage 3 breast cancer. My journey to find health and hope and joy has been so life changing! Thank you for sharing your story!
    LOve,
    Gwen

    • Amy Bowman
      February 6, 2013 at 6:16 pm

      Wow! I’d love to hear more of your story. Do you have a Caring Bridge site that is public? I hope you are doing well. It is amazing how life changing that diagnosis is..huh? Thank you for commenting!

    • Kathleen Bergman
      August 21, 2013 at 3:35 pm

      go to Qigong.com there are a huge number of health tips there for beating cancer, and detoxing the body.

    • amy murray
      February 13, 2014 at 5:51 pm

      Thank you Jacquelyn for sharing your story. I was affected by a close family member being diagnosed with Breast Cancer she is kicking its butt I was inspired to continue my journey to clean living I just made this recipe. I am now on a hunt for a deodorant as I refuse to use the commercial stuff anymore and i think my children would appreciate a little less stinky mommy 🙂

  • Sarah Link
    February 4, 2013 at 2:49 am

    Thanks for sharing! This is the first laundry detergent recipe I haven’t been absolutely intimidated by.

    • Amy Bowman
      February 6, 2013 at 6:15 pm

      Ha! I hear you. So easy.

  • Anonymous
    February 3, 2013 at 3:13 am

    Is this safe for HE washing machines?

    • Anonymous
      March 1, 2014 at 10:15 pm

      I’ve been using this recipe w/ the Dawn from One Good Thing and I haven’t had any issues with it. I have a HE washer and was looking for a good alternative to the powder one as well as not wanting to grate soap and have it separate cause I didn’t trust that one to go through my HE washer. Hope that helps.

  • The Cummings Family
    February 2, 2013 at 1:07 am

    Is this for HE machines too?

    • Amy Bowman
      February 6, 2013 at 6:15 pm

      The comments where I found the original recipe say yes, it is good for HE machines.

    • Bonnie Lewenza
      September 19, 2013 at 11:56 am

      Amy my only concern with this is the castile tends to leave a residue are you sure that over time this will not build up in the washer. I have a front loader only a few months old and I am really leary about using it.

    • angel
      October 17, 2013 at 5:26 am

      Bonnie, The way around any soap build-up, is to use Vinegar in the rinse cycle. . . It takes any soap left on your clothes. or in the washer.

    • Vicki Perry
      February 9, 2014 at 12:39 pm

      I had a washing machine repairman take my inner tub out once and showed me what regular detergent does to a machine…it was not good. Speaking of build up, it was nasty.

  • Heather
    February 2, 2013 at 12:26 am

    I’ve been using this recipe for 2 months, since I saw it on One Good Things site…..and it works great! I add a little lavender essential oil for additional scent. It is so easy to make. Thanks for sharing!

    • Tara M
      March 10, 2015 at 5:55 pm

      For those that don’t want to add an essential oil to the mix you could always steep some dried lavender in the water when making your soap. This will add a nice scent to your laundry. I have lavender growing in my garden and use it in all kinds of things.

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