Homemade laundry detergent recipe and real cost per load

This recipe costs about $0.15 a load to make, at the cheapest packs from stores in the United States, plus your own bar soap. Prices checked November 2, 2026.

Homemade

$0.15 a load

61 loads from one 1,225 gram batch + your bar soap

Store-bought a load

Stores: United States · 20 grams a load · 1 batchChange

Stores in

Grams per load

Buy enough for

It goes on skin: price only food, cosmetic and pharmacy grades

$4.16

Buy 2 × 454 grams for $7.54 at Wholesale Supplies Plus. 407 grams left over.
$5.15

Buy 2 × 454 grams for $9.34 at Wholesale Supplies Plus. 407 grams left over.
From your kitchen. Type its cost.

One batchPlus your bar soap: $9.30
Buy todayWhole packs, before shipping. Enough for 1 batch.: $16.88

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One ingredient a line, with its weight. Like "Baking soda 400 grams" or "1 lb borax".

Use at your own risk. These recipes and prices are general information, not safety, medical or legal advice. Wear gloves and eye protection, never mix with bleach or other cleaners, and keep it away from children and pets.

More safety notes

Prices are a guide. In-stock pack prices from 28 stores, checked November 2, 2026, in US dollars without shipping or tax. The store's page is the final word.
Read the safety data sheet for each product, work in fresh air, and label every jar. Homemade cleaners look like sugar or salt.
Patch test anything for skin. Stop if it stings or itches. Washing soda and borax are for laundry and dishes, never for skin.
Selling what you make? Cosmetics and cleaners have their own label and safety rules, such as the FDA's in the United States, Health Canada's, and a safety assessment in the European Union and the United Kingdom.
Only household recipes. The calculator prices a fixed list of cleaning and bath ingredients. We never price or give recipes for anything dangerous or illegal to make. See our terms.

How to make it

For one batch, about 61 loads: 500 grams washing soda, 500 grams borax and 225 grams grated bar soap.

Grate the soap. Use the fine side of a box grater, or a food processor, so it dissolves in the wash.
Mix the powders. Stir the washing soda and borax into the soap until even. For tough stains, add a scoop of oxygen bleach to the wash too.
Store it airtight. A jar or tub with a lid keeps it dry and free flowing. Label it.
Use 1 to 2 tablespoons a load. About 15 to 30 grams. Start low in soft water and check your washer's manual first.

Questions

How much does homemade laundry detergent cost per load?

About $0.15 a load with this recipe, at the cheapest packs from stores in the United States we compare, checked November 2, 2026. One batch of 1,225 grams does about 61 loads at 20 grams each.

Can I make it without borax?

Yes. Leave the borax out and use the same weight of baking soda. In the European Union and the United Kingdom borax is restricted for home use, so leave it out there.

How much homemade detergent do I use per load?

1 to 2 tablespoons, about 15 to 30 grams. Use less in soft water and more for very dirty loads.

More recipes, priced

How it works: each ingredient is priced at the cheapest whole packs that cover the amount, from one store, in US dollars at European Central Bank rates of 2026-11-02, without shipping or tax. Kitchen items like soap and oil use the price you type.