How to Make Your Own Laundry Detergent: A Step-By-Step DIY Guide

Making your own laundry detergent gives you full control over the ingredients, fragrance strength, and final product. Whether you’re exploring a safer, eco-friendly alternative or just love crafting your own cleaning supplies, this DIY laundry detergent guide is perfect for beginners and pros alike. In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll walk you through how to mix, test, and perfect your laundry detergent formulation from start to finish.

Why Make Your Own Laundry Detergent?

Making your own laundry detergent allows you to:

• Customize your fragrance load

• Control the ingredients (great for sensitive skin)

• Save money compared to store-bought brands

• Experiment with small batch laundry testing for unique results

This is your chance to create a laundry detergent formula that fits your home, your family, and your preferences.

What You Need to Get Started

Materials List:

• Laundry Detergent Base or Fabric Softener Base 

• Fragrance Oil (your choice)

• Digital Scale 

• Mixing Container (glass or stainless steel recommended)

• Stirring Tool (non-reactive like silicone or stainless steel)

The Importance of Fragrance Load Testing

Before you make a full 16-ounce batch, it’s important to start with a 4-ounce test batch. This small batch laundry testing helps you:

• See how the fragrance interacts with your detergent base

• Observe color changes

• Adjust fragrance strength to your liking

Remember, some fragrance oils can change the detergent's color. While it doesn’t impact performance, it’s something to consider, especially if you plan to sell your detergent.

Fragrance Load Chart (Based on 4 oz Base)

Pro Tip: Start with a lower fragrance load (1-5%) and increase gradually until you find your perfect scent strength. Be sure to follow the IFRA certificate for your specific fragrance. 

Step-By-Step Instructions to Make Your Own Laundry Detergent

1. Measure Your Fragrance Oil: Use a digital scale for accurate measurement.

2. Add to Detergent Base: Slowly pour the fragrance oil into the base.

3. Mix Well: Stir gently but thoroughly until fully combined.

4. Let It Sit: Allow the mixture to rest for 24 hours so the fragrance binds properly.

Pro Tips for DIY Laundry Detergent Success

• Always use a digital scale for precise fragrance measurements.

• Test in small batches before scaling up to larger quantities.

• Store your finished detergent in a clean, airtight container.

• Be aware of how different fragrance oils can affect the detergent’s texture and color.

Ready to Make a Bigger Batch?

Okay, so now you are done testing and ready to make a bigger batch! Here's what you do next:

Start with 16 oz of detergent base. Use the same fragrance load percentages as before, but scaled for a 16 oz batch. Here's a quick reference chart:

Follow the same step-by-step mixing instructions, but remember to mix thoroughly to ensure the fragrance distributes evenly in the larger batch. Remember to follow the IFRA certificate for your fragrance maximum safe usage percentage for laundry.

Tips I Learned Along the Way

Testing is crucial because every fragrance oil behaves differently. Here’s what you need to know:

• Not all oils mix equally: Synthetic fragrance oils often do not mix well with water-soluble bases like detergent without an emulsifier or solubilizer to help blend them smoothly.

• Color changes are normal: Some fragrance oils may alter the color of your detergent base. It doesn’t affect performance but can impact the look.

• Start small: Always do small batch testing first — this saves time, ingredients, and frustration.

• Adjust as needed: Based on testing, you might need to tweak fragrance load or add blending agents to get the best scent and texture.

• Keep detailed notes: Write down your batch ratios, fragrance brands, and results to replicate or improve formulas later.

How To Add Emulsifiers When Mixing Fragrance Oils into Detergent Bases

Making sure your fragrance oils blend seamlessly into your detergent or fabric softener base is key for a stable, beautiful product. Follow these simple steps:

1. Measure Your Fragrance Oil
   Use a precise digital scale to weigh your fragrance oil for accuracy.

2. Pre-Mix with Emulsifier
   Combine your fragrance oil with an emulsifier like Polysorbate 80 in a 1:1 ratio. Stir gently until fully blended.

3. Add to Detergent Base
   Slowly pour your fragrance-emulsifier blend into the detergent base while stirring continuously.

4. Mix Thoroughly
   Stir gently but well to ensure the fragrance is evenly distributed and no separation occurs.

5. Let It Rest
   Allow the mixture to sit for several hours or overnight to check for stability and uniformity.

6. Test Your Batch
   Create a small test batch to assess scent strength, color, and consistency before scaling up.

Emulsifiers & Additives 

Bullet List Version:

• Polysorbate 20: Mild solubilizer for light fragrance oils; helps disperse oils evenly in water-based products.

• Polysorbate 80: Great for heavier oils; creates clear, stable blends and improves fragrance longevity.

• PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil: Natural emulsifier; smooths oil blending in water-soluble bases.

• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): Can emulsify oils but may be harsh; use with care in sensitive products.

• Glyceryl Stearate: Stabilizes fragrance oils and improves texture in creams and detergents.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Why do I need to use an emulsifier?
Many fragrance oils, especially synthetic ones, don’t naturally mix with water-based detergents. Emulsifiers help bind the oils to the base, preventing separation and ensuring a consistent product.

Q: Can I skip the emulsifier if my fragrance oil is natural?
Sometimes natural oils blend better, but it depends on the oil and formula. Testing small batches will help you decide if an emulsifier is necessary.

Q: How much emulsifier should I use?
Start with a 1:1 ratio of emulsifier to fragrance oil, then adjust as needed based on product stability and appearance.

Q: Will emulsifiers affect the fragrance strength?
Emulsifiers generally help maintain fragrance integrity and can even improve scent longevity by dispersing oils evenly.

Q: Are emulsifiers safe to use in laundry detergents?
Yes, commonly used emulsifiers like Polysorbate 20 and 80 are widely used in cosmetic and cleaning products and are safe when used properly.

Final Thoughts: Perfect Your Laundry Detergent Formula

Making your own laundry detergent is about creativity and customization. Whether you're doing it for personal use or planning to offer your own product line, small batch testing and proper fragrance load measurements are key. Remember to keep detailed notes for each batch to perfect your custom formula over time.

Introducing Our New Laundry Detergent & Fabric Softener

At Stay Fresh With Peanut (SFWP), we’re excited to bring you our brand-new laundry detergent liquid and fabric softener. Developed in partnership with a laundry manufacturer with over 70 years of industry experience, our formula is designed to deliver powerful cleaning while being gentle on your fabrics and the environment.

We conducted extensive testing and research before launching to ensure you get a product you can truly trust. Our detergent is NPE-free and biodegradable, making it a safer choice for your family and the planet.

Even if you decide not to purchase from us, we believe knowledge is power. That’s why the information shared on our blog is based on our own testing and is meant for educational purposes, so you can make informed choices about the products you use.

Why Choose Stay Fresh With Peanut?

• Trusted Experience: Developed with decades of expertise from a leading laundry manufacturer.

• Safe & Effective: Our formulas are free from harmful NPEs and fully biodegradable.

• Transparency: We share our testing results and educational content openly — because you deserve to know what’s in your laundry products.

• Family-Owned: We’re a small business with a big heart, founded to empower families and communities through safe, quality products.

Have Questions? Drop them in the comments! We’re currently working on even more blogs and resources to help you become a master pro at mixing and making your own laundry detergent.

Stay Fresh With Peanut – Empowering Creators with Every Mix

Visit us at: www.stayfreshwithpeanut.com