I’ve been making my own laundry detergent for years! Over time, I improved the recipe to create something both simple and effective.
This natural detergent made with black soap and Marseille soap is suitable for all types of laundry, including delicate fabrics washed at 20°C. Made exclusively with natural-origin ingredients, this recipe is perfect for people with sensitive or atopic skin (especially families with young children).
Follow this recipe carefully and you’ll get an economical, eco-friendly detergent that does not solidify!
INGREDIENTS
For 2 liters of detergent:
- 80 g of green Marseille soap (not white!)
- 120 g of lavandin black soap
- 100 g of washing soda (sodium carbonate)
- 2 liters of water
EQUIPMENT
- A saucepan
- An immersion blender
- A kitchen scale
- A funnel
- A whisk
- Reused glass bottles (such as juice bottles) to store your detergent
RECIPE
Melt the Marseille soap and black soap in 1 liter of hot water (without bringing it to a boil). Stir with a whisk until the soap is fully dissolved.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and add 1 liter of cold water. Once the mixture has cooled slightly, add the washing soda. Pour the powder in slowly and make sure the water is not too hot, otherwise the mixture may foam up and overflow.
Blend everything using an immersion blender.
Pour the detergent into your glass bottles without filling them completely. Leave a little space so the product can be shaken before use.
Don’t forget to label your bottles!
USE
For a 5–7 kg washing machine load, I use one capful (reused from an old liquid detergent bottle), either poured into the detergent compartment or placed directly into the drum. Feel free to adjust the quantity depending on how dirty your laundry is.
I use the same detergent for all clothes: wool, colors, and whites.
If your water is very hard or your laundry is heavily soiled, add one tablespoon of washing soda directly into the drum before adding the laundry.
For white laundry, add two tablespoons of sodium percarbonate directly into the drum (and run a cycle at a minimum of 40°C).
Q&A
Why use green Marseille soap?
At the beginning of my homemade detergent experiments, I bought Marseille soap flakes from organic stores. In reality, they were not true Marseille soap. These white flakes, made with palm oil, created a very thick detergent (sometimes I could barely shake the bottle). White soap produces more glycerin than green Marseille soap.
Besides creating a detergent that was difficult to mix, the white Marseille soap eventually clogged my washing machine! Be careful not to use a detergent that becomes too thick. If it solidifies, add water and blend it again. After learning this lesson, I never had any problems again using green Marseille soap and the recipe above.
Why does the detergent separate into two phases?
Unlike conventional detergents, this 100% natural recipe contains no chemical agents to keep all the ingredients blended together. The water may therefore separate from the soap over time. This is completely normal. Simply shake the bottle before use to obtain a smooth and homogeneous mixture.
Does the detergent keep well?
This homemade detergent can be stored for several months without any issue. However, unlike commercial detergents, this recipe contains no preservatives. So don’t make a three-year supply! I generally prepare enough for about 3–4 months.
What should I do for stubborn stains?
See this article:
Can this detergent be used for delicate laundry?
Softer and more diluted than powdered detergent, this recipe is suitable for fabrics washed at 20°C and does not leave marks. However, do not overdose the product — it is unnecessary and may leave soap residue on your clothes.