Want to make your own liquid detergent and dishwash liquid at home or for a small business? This step-by-step guide from Cleansol (manufacturer since 2002, Jodhpur) gives you tested starting recipes for 5 litres of laundry liquid detergent and 5 litres of dishwash liquid, using common raw materials: LABSA, SLES, CDEA, caustic soda and salt.
🧪 Get everything in one box
The Liquid Detergent & Dishwash Making Trial Kit has every ingredient in this recipe in trial quantities – ₹1,599 ₹1,879 (save ₹280), free delivery, GST invoice.
⚠ Safety first. LABSA is a strong acid and Caustic Soda is strongly alkaline – both can burn skin and eyes. Wear rubber gloves, safety goggles and full sleeves. Work in a ventilated area, away from children and food. Use plastic or stainless-steel tubs (never aluminium). Always add chemical to water – never water to chemical. If anything touches skin or eyes, wash with plenty of running water for 15 minutes and see a doctor.
Ingredients and what they do
| Ingredient | Role |
|---|---|
| LABSA 90% | Main cleaning agent (removes dirt and grease) |
| Caustic Soda Flakes | Neutralises LABSA to make it safe and effective |
| SLES 28% | Foam and extra cleaning; mild on hands |
| CDEA | Foam booster and thickener |
| EDTA 4Na | Works in hard water |
| Sodium Benzoate + Preservative | Stops the product from spoiling |
| Industrial Salt | Thickens the liquid |
| Colour + Fragrance | Look and smell |
Recipe 1: Laundry liquid detergent (makes 5 L)
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Water | approx. 4.2 L |
| LABSA 90% | 250 ml |
| Caustic Soda Flakes | about 30 g |
| SLES 28% | 250 ml |
| CDEA | 75 ml |
| EDTA 4Na | 10 g |
| Sodium Benzoate | 10 g |
| Liquid Preservative | 5 ml |
| Industrial Salt | 50–100 g |
| Colour | 1–2 g |
| Fragrance | 10–15 ml |
Method
How to use: 1 cap (30–50 ml) per bucket or machine wash.
Recipe 2: Dishwash liquid (makes 5 L)
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Water | approx. 4.3 L |
| LABSA 90% | 200 ml |
| Caustic Soda Flakes | about 24 g |
| SLES 28% | 250 ml |
| CDEA | 100 ml |
| EDTA 4Na | 5 g |
| Sodium Benzoate | 10 g |
| Liquid Preservative | 5 ml |
| Industrial Salt | 75–150 g |
| Colour (green/yellow) | 1–2 g |
| Fragrance (lemon) | 10–15 ml |
Method
How to use: a few drops on a wet scrubber, or dilute 1:4 in a bowl of water for dipping.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Product stays thin | Add salt solution in small amounts; add a little more CDEA. |
| Became thin after adding salt | Too much salt – add a little SLES and stir; next time add salt slowly. |
| Cloudy or layers separate | pH is off – check with a strip and correct to 7–8; stir longer. |
| Skin feels dry or itchy | pH too high – adjust down with a few drops of LABSA. |
Scaling up
Happy with your test batch? Multiply every quantity by the same number for 25 L, 50 L or bigger batches. Buy LABSA, SLES, CDEA and caustic soda in 5 kg, 25 kg and 50 kg packs on our Detergent & Cleaner Makers page, or WhatsApp 98290 05860 for factory prices.
Frequently asked questions
How much LABSA is needed to make 5 litres of liquid detergent?
About 250 ml of LABSA 90% for 5 L of laundry liquid detergent, neutralised with about 30 g of caustic soda, plus 250 ml SLES for foam. Use more LABSA and SLES together for a stronger product.
Why is caustic soda used with LABSA?
LABSA is an acid. Caustic soda neutralises it into a safe, effective cleaning agent. Without neutralising, the product would be acidic and harsh on skin and fabric. Always check the final pH with a test strip.
How do I make liquid detergent thick?
Add a salt solution little by little after all other ingredients are mixed. CDEA also helps. Too much salt makes it thin again, so stop as soon as it reaches the thickness you want.
Can I make dishwash liquid with the same ingredients?
Yes. Dishwash uses the same raw materials with slightly less LABSA, more CDEA and a pH close to neutral (6.5–7.5), so it is gentler on hands.
Where can I buy LABSA, SLES and CDEA in small quantities?
Cleansol sells them in 500 ml trial packs up to 50 kg, with GST invoice and delivery across India. The trial kit has everything for this recipe in one box.
🧪 Get everything in one box
The Liquid Detergent & Dishwash Making Trial Kit has every ingredient in this recipe in trial quantities – ₹1,599 ₹1,879 (save ₹280), free delivery, GST invoice.
📄 Download printable recipe card (PDF)
Reference formula only. These are starting recipes for a small test batch – strength, thickness, fragrance and cost can be adjusted to suit your quality and selling price. Results depend on raw material and water quality. If you plan to sell your product, follow applicable labelling and legal requirements.
1 comment
A Hussain
Hello and hi