October 31, 2026

DIY Modern Laundry Detergent

View my DIY TRADITIONAL LAUNDRY SOAP recipe HERE.

To optin to have the DIY MODERN LAUNDRY DETERGENT pdf emailed to you, go HERE.

See notes section for a link to view the ingredients I buy for this recipe.

Perfect for those who want to try their hand at homemade products with minimal ingredients.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

3½ cups distilled water
½ cup decyl glucoside
-A plant-derived nonionic surfactant that helps lift oils, dirt, and grime from fabric.
½ cup cocamidopropyl betaine
-A gentle co-surfactant that supports cleaning and helps the detergent work effectively.
¼ cup sodium citrate
-A water conditioner that helps bind minerals in hard water so they don’t interfere with the cleaning process.
1 tablespoon vegetable glycerin — optional
-Helps with the consistency of the finished detergent.

Warm 1 cup of the distilled water until hot, but do not boil.
Add the sodium citrate and stir until completely dissolved.
Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
Add the remaining distilled water to a clean mixing container.
Slowly add the decyl glucoside and cocamidopropyl betaine, stirring gently. Avoid vigorous mixing because these ingredients can create a lot of foam.
Add the cooled sodium citrate mixture and optional glycerin.
Transfer to a clean, labeled container.
Because this is a water-based homemade product without a preservative, I recommend making a small batch and using it promptly rather than storing it longterm.

Storage

Because this is a water-based homemade product, proper preservation matters. Do not assume that a natural ingredient or clean container makes a water-based detergent shelf-stable.
For a small personal batch, make only what you can reasonably use.

HOW MUCH DO I USE?

HE / Front-Loading Washer
Start with 1–2 tablespoons per load.
Standard Top-Loading Washer
Start with 2–3 tablespoons per load.
For heavily soiled laundry, you may need additional detergent or a laundry booster.
More detergent isn’t necessarily better. Using too much can make rinsing more difficult and may leave residue

For more detailed information and a breakdown of each ingredient, you can optin to have our DIY MODERN LAUNDRY SOAP GUIDE emailed to you.

View my Amazon Store to see the ingredients I use for this recipe.