Natural Non-Toxic Liquid Laundry Detergent 

Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent using natural non-toxic ingredients and a herbal infusion. 

Prep time: 15 Min Cook time: 10 Min Inactive time: 24 Hour Total time: 24 H & 25 M 

Ingredients 

• 6 ounces Zote Flakes, Zote Bar Soap or Kirks Castile Bar Soap, grated (1 – cup Liquid Castile Soap can be substituted for bar soap, I use our hand milked goat milk soap) 

• 1 – cup of fresh herbs (my favorite is lavender & lemon balm, Rosemary and Thyme, Lemon Viburnum) 

• 1 – quart of water to make the Herbal Infusion if not using the herbal infusion just use 1 quart of water, do this 24 hours ahead of time 

• 1 – cup Borax 

• 1 – cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (not baking soda) – Make this yourself by putting Baking Soda on a cookie sheet about 30 minutes at 400 degrees, I do stir it once) 

• warm water to top off bucket 

• grater (to grate soap) and immersion blender stick (optional) 

• 3 to 5 – gallon bucket with lid (to store detergent) 

How to make a Herbal Infusion 

• Make the herbal infusion a day in advance so it has time to sit and infuse. 

• Add a handful (about 1 cup of fresh herbs) of your choosing. I love lavender, lemon balm, rosemary or lemon thyme to a 1quart size mason jar. 

• Top off with very warm water, sealing the jar and letting it steep for 24 hours. 

• Strain the infusion through a cheese cloth or use a fine sieve to remove the herbs prior to making the detergent (discard the herbs). 

Instructions 

Making the Detergent 

1. Heat 1 quart of herbal infusion or 1 quart of water in a medium size pan. 

2. Grate 6 ounces of Castile, Zote, or Goat Milk Soap Bar Soap. 

3. Add the grated soap to the herbal infusion or water mixture and stir until melted. 

4. Fill your 3-to-5-gallon bucket halfway with hot water. 

5. Add 1 cup or Borax and 1 cup of Washing Soda to your bucket of hot water, stirring until dissolved. 

6. Pour the melted soap mixture into the bucket and continue stirring. 

7. Add the lid and let the mixture sit (covered) for 24 hours. 

8. When the detergent cools, I like to use my immersion stick and mix up the detergent really good, this is optional. 

9. The detergent is ready to use after 24 hours. Detergent will look cloudy and congeal to a thick white consistency, that’s normal, shake before each use. 

10. I store my laundry detergent in a large mason jar (1/2- or 1-gallon jar works great). 

11. When the jar is empty pull out the bucket and give the detergent a good stir (with a long stick) before refilling mason jar. 

12. Use 1/4 cup per load and add to the detergent compartment of your washing machine, shake before each use (you will see separation, that’s normal). 

13. Store the remainder of the detergent, covered in your laundry room and keep away from children and pets. 

Notes 

(Note) Borax: is a naturally occurring mineral compound (sodium tetraborate) made up of sodium, oxygen, and boron. It is used in cleaning products, laundry detergent and cosmetics. It is non-toxic (at the same level as baking soda and salt). Borax is a safe and natural laundry booster (as long as you do not eat or inhale it) and keep it out of reach form children and pets.   

Disclaimer: Many people claim that homemade laundry detergents are either bad for you clothes, bad for your washing machine, or both. If you’re worried about using homemade laundry detergent, I would say check your washer’s warranty and do additional research. 

We have never had an issue with buildup in our washer or stains on our clothes. I also use a herb infused vinegar as a softening agent, so that helps to keep our washer clean. I can only share what has worked well for us and we have never had any issue with homemade  

THE AMOUNT OF ‘FOREVER CHEMICALS IN STORE LAUNDRY DETERGENT IS JUST DANGEROUS AND YOUR SKIN SOAKS IT ALL UP 

I do use our homemade Apple Cider Vinegar as a rinse and also in my dishwasher compartment as a rinse.