3 Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipes To Lighten All Your Loads
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Making your own laundry detergent will save you a ton of money over the long term. We’ve compared the average costs of our DIY laundry detergent recipes (and their ingredients) against the average price of typical store-bought options. The results highlight just how much you can save per load while also choosing a more eco-friendly and customizable solution for your laundry cleaning needs.

3 Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipes To Lighten All Your Loads

1. DIY Natural Laundry Detergent Powder Recipe (Ingredients and Costs):
  • Castile Soap (Bar): $4.50 per bar
  • Washing Soda: $4.79 for 55 oz (1 cup = 8 oz) → $4.79 / 55 oz * 8 oz = $0.70 per cup
  • Baking Soda: $2.24 for 32 oz (1 cup = 8 oz) → $2.24 / 32 oz * 8 oz = $0.56 per cup
  • Borax (Optional): $4.49 for 65 oz (1/4 cup = 2 oz) → $4.49 / 65 oz * 2 oz = $0.14 per 1/4 cup
  • Essential Oils (Optional): $10.00 for 300 drops → 10-15 drops = approx. $0.50

Cost per Batch:

  • 1 Bar Castile Soap: $4.50
  • 1 Cup Washing Soda: $0.70
  • 1 Cup Baking Soda: $0.56
  • 1/4 Cup Borax (Optional): $0.14
  • Essential Oils (Optional): $0.50

Total Cost per Batch (about 50 loads): $4.50 + $0.70 + $0.56 + $0.14 + $0.50 = $6.40 per batch
Cost per Load: $6.40 / 50 loads = $0.13 per load

2. DIY Liquid Laundry Detergent Recipe (Ingredients and Costs):
  • Castile Soap (Liquid): $16.99 for 32 oz (1/2 cup = 4 oz) → $16.99 / 32 oz * 4 oz = $2.12
  • Washing Soda: $4.79 for 55 oz (1/2 cup = 4 oz) → $4.79 / 55 oz * 4 oz = $0.35
  • Baking Soda: $2.24 for 32 oz (1/2 cup = 4 oz) → $2.24 / 32 oz * 4 oz = $0.28
  • Water: Negligible cost (~$0.01 per gallon)
  • Essential Oils (Optional): $0.50

Cost per Batch:

  • 1/2 Cup Castile Soap (Liquid): $2.12
  • 1/2 Cup Washing Soda: $0.35
  • 1/2 Cup Baking Soda: $0.28
  • Water (5 cups): $0.01
  • Essential Oils (Optional): $0.50

Total Cost per Batch (about 30 loads): $2.12 + $0.35 + $0.28 + $0.01 + $0.50 = $3.26 per batch
Cost per Load: $3.26 / 30 loads = $0.11 per load

3. DIY Laundry Detergent Pods Recipe (Ingredients and Costs):
  • Castile Soap (Liquid): $16.99 for 32 oz (1/4 cup = 2 oz) → $16.99 / 32 oz * 2 oz = $1.06
  • Washing Soda: $4.79 for 55 oz (1/2 cup = 4 oz) → $4.79 / 55 oz * 4 oz = $0.35
  • Baking Soda: $2.24 for 32 oz (1/2 cup = 4 oz) → $2.24 / 32 oz * 4 oz = $0.28
  • Borax (Optional): $0.14 (as calculated above)
  • Water: Negligible cost (~$0.01 per gallon)
  • Essential Oils (Optional): $0.50

Cost per Batch:

  • 1/4 Cup Castile Soap (Liquid): $1.06
  • 1/2 Cup Washing Soda: $0.35
  • 1/2 Cup Baking Soda: $0.28
  • Borax (Optional): $0.14
  • Water (1/4 cup): Negligible
  • Essential Oils (Optional): $0.50

Total Cost per Batch (about 24 pods): $1.06 + $0.35 + $0.28 + $0.14 + $0.50 = $2.33 per batch
Cost per Load: $2.33 / 24 pods = $0.10 per load

4. Store-Bought Laundry Detergents
  • Conventional Detergent: $10.00 for 48 loads → $0.21 per load
  • Eco-Friendly Detergent: $15.00 for 50 loads → $0.30 per load

Average Cost per Load for Store-Bought Detergents: ($0.21 + $0.30) / 2 = $0.26 per load

As you can see, conventional laundry detergents are at least twice as expensive as these homemade options. The average annual cost of conventional detergent for 300 loads is approximately $78, while our DIY powder detergent is just $38.40 per year, saving nearly 50%.

Liquid detergent and laundry pods are even more cost-effective, (at $20.56 and $20.32 per annum), which is savings of over 70% compared to store-bought brands!

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