How to Make a Laundry Soap Bar

Make your own fully customized laundry soap bar. Use this cold process soap recipe to make 5 gallons of liquid laundry soap. Made with natural ingredients perfect for sensitive skin, kids and babies.

I have been making my own laundry soap for years and I absolutely love it. The soap works perfectly and it is so cheap to make, like under $2 for 5 gallons cheap.

I make liquid laundry soap and powder laundry soap, both of which are made with a shredded soap bar. I have always bought a soap bar in the laundry section at my local store, but recently, with my newfound love for cold process soap making, I decided to go ahead and make my own.

Making your own laundry bar is easy. And by doing so, you will know exactly what ingredients are in it.

DIY LAUNDRY SOAP BAR

When making a laundry soap bar, the goal is to make a hard bar; this is why I am using coconut oil as my fat. Coconut oil itself is very moisturizing, but it will become very dry when mixed with sodium hydroxide or lye.

This 100% coconut oil soap bar is not recommended for use directly on the body, but it does make a great laundry bar, stain remover, or cleaning bar. When coconut oil is mixed with lye, it becomes very cleansing.

COCONUT OIL COLD-PROCESS SOAP BAR

For this soap bar, we are only using coconut oil, water, and lye. It is important to use distilled water when working with lye as the minerals found in tap water can react with the lye.

The best coconut oil to use to make soap is unrefined, 100% pure, and with no added chemicals. Coconut oil has a high melting point making it a good fat for soap making.

TOOLS NEEDED TO MAKE A LAUNDRY BAR

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• Soap mold
• Immersion Blender
• Digital scale
• Glass bowl or other heat resistant container
• Gloves
• Eye protection, full covering goggles are best

LAUNDRY SOAP BAR RECIPE 

I used a soap calculator to get these exact measurements. If you want to change up the recipe at all, you will need to get new measurements as it is imperative to use the exact amounts. 

When working with lye, be sure to work in a well-ventilated area and wear safety goggles and rubber gloves. If lye gets on the skin or in the eyes, it can be very harmful.

INGREDIENTS 

• 16 ounces coconut oil 
• 2.71 ounces lye
• 6.05 ounces water 
• 15-20 drops essential oils, optional 

Makes 6 soap bars.

INSTRUCTIONS 

1. Using a digital scale, measure out your water and pour it into a heat-resistant glass or thick plastic pitcher.
2. Measure out the lye and add it to the water. Stir the lye into the water slowly until it dissolves. Note, the chemical reaction will cause it to heat up quickly.
3. Using the digital scale, measure out the coconut oil. Pour into a saucepan and melt over medium heat. 
4. Once the coconut oil is melted, remove it from the heat.
5. When the oil cools to 100°F, it is time to mix the lye water with the oils. Slowly add the lye and water to the oil, mix with an immersion blender. This will take a couple of minutes. You will know it is the right consistency when the soap from the blender drips and pools up on top of the soap in the saucepan. This is known as the trace. 
6. If using essential oils, add those in now. Mix with an immersion blender.
7. Pour the soap into a soap mold. If using silicone soap molds, you don’t have to do anything to them before pouring the soap in. Other molds may require parchment paper. 
8. Allow the soap to harden and sit in the molds for at least 24 hours or up to 3 days. 
9. Remove the soap from the molds and allow bars to cure for 3-4 weeks before using.

HOW TO USE A LAUNDRY SOAP BAR

You can use your laundry soap bar to make your own laundry detergent. Both of my laundry soap recipes call for 5 ounces of a shredded soap bar.

To use your coconut oil laundry bar to make laundry soap, you will need to shred it using a cheese grater. For a powder laundry soap, you will add the shredded soap bar to the other powder ingredients.

For liquid laundry soap, you will need to melt the soap bar in a saucepan with a little water over medium heat. Once melted, you will add it to the other ingredients.

This soap bar can be used to make homemade dish soap.

ESSENTIAL OIL LAUNDRY SOAP BARS

You have the option of adding in essential oils to your laundry soap bar. The essential oils can add more scent to your laundry and give off a relaxing aroma.

Some of my favorite essential oils for laundry are wild orange, lavender, chamomile, Siberian fir, and tea tree. You can make a blend of oils or use a single oil. Floral and citrus oils make a beautiful aroma. Tea tree can be used to remove odor and leave clothes smelling fresh and clean.

ESSENTIAL OIL BLENDS TO TRY

• 5 drops wild orange
• 5 drops grapefruit
• 5 drops lime

• 10 drops lemon
• 5 drops rosemary

• 10 drops Siberian fir
• 5 drops tea tree

• 5 drops lavender
• 5 drops chamomile
• 5 drops jasmine

LAUNDRY SOAP BAR FOR STAIN REMOVAL

This coconut oil cold-process soap bar can be used to remove stains. Wet the end of the bar and rub it onto the stain. Rub the fabric together to work it into the stain and then wash it in a regular load.

You can also use this bar to clean and remove stains from upholstery, car seats, rugs, and carper. As always, I suggest testing a small area before doing a large area.

For tougher stains, try this DIY Stain Remover.

More Soap Bar and Laundry Recipes

• Shampoo Bar (Cold Process)
• Goat Milk Soap Bar
• Moisturizing Soap Bars (Cold Process)
• Tallow Soap Bars (Cold Process)
• Natural Fabric Softener
• Natural Dryer Sheets
• Soap Nut Powder Laundry Detergent