Are you tired of using harsh and potentially harmful laundry detergents on your clothes? Me too. That's why I experimented with different ingredients to create the perfect homemade laundry detergent recipe. Learn how to make your own laundry detergent right here. ⬇️ ⬇️
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When my youngest daughter started getting rashes from our store-bought laundry soap, I knew there had to be a better option.
So I decided to learn how to make my own DIY laundry soap.
I wanted a homemade laundry detergent recipe that was both effective and gentle. And we've really enjoyed making other homemade soaps and beauty products. We're trying our hand at sunscreen, shampoo bars, and even DIY toothpaste this summer.
Our gardener's soap, made with ground coffee, turned out really well. And it's just about time to make another batch of DIY lip balm, too. We even made a homemade household cleaner with pine needles.
This formula for homemade nontoxic laundry detergent is easy to make, smells fantastic, and is gentle on your skin and clothes.
You can customize it by adding your favorite essential oils or leaving it unscented.
DIY laundry soap costs
Here is my cost breakdown for the ingredients from Walmart.
- Baking Soda 64 oz. $3.24
- Borax 65 oz. $ 5.47
- Washing Soda 55 oz. $4.76
- Epsom Salt 64 oz. $ 4.12
- Total $17.59
This homemade laundry soap saves us money
I made a triple batch of the recipe and used all the washing soda, but I had plenty of borax, washing soda, and Epsom salt left for more laundry soap or to use in other recipes like my toilet bomb cleaners.
I estimated that each batch makes about 50 heaping tablespoons, so the cost per load is approximately $0.35 for the average load. However, that doesn't mean most ingredients still had much left. So, actually, it would be cheaper.
From my Google search, I found that most store-bought soap loads average around $0.50, so not only are you using safer ingredients, but you also save a lot of money in the process.
A 1-gallon jar will hold about four batches of this recipe.
I added a pretty wooden scoop to my jar; it is about one tablespoon, so I heap it up for each load.
How to make laundry detergent
Here's how I made this powdered DIY laundry soap.
Now, I must say, I've made other homemade laundry powder recipes as well. And I may add some posts showing how I made them.
For example, we really liked the homemade liquid laundry soap that used a bar of Sunlight soap. It smelled so lemony.
Homemade laundry detergent recipe
You'll need a few important ingredients to make your own laundry soap.
Ingredients
They include:
- 1 ½ cups Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate)
- 1 ½ cups Washing Soda( Sodium Carbonate)
- ½ cup Borax
- ½ cup Epsom Salt
- 25 drops of Essential Oils
I made it with lavender oil, but Dan says it smells a bit "girly." Next time, I'll try orange.
How to Make Your Own Laundry Detergent
First, combine the powdered ingredients until they are well mixed. I like to use a whisk to ensure everything is well mixed and stirred.
Next, add drops of essential oils and mix well. Or leave them out altogether.
If you add them, stir thoroughly to combine all the essential oils with the dry ingredients.
Then, store your laundry soap in a glass jar with a pretty scoop.
To Use: Add one heaping Tablespoon for regular loads and 2 for extra dirty clothing.
Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe
Say goodbye to harsh laundry detergents and hello to a gentler, more natural alternative with our homemade laundry detergent recipe. Easy, effective and customizable.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate)
- 1 ½ cups Washing Soda( Sodium Carbonate)
- ½ cup Borax
- ½ cup Epsom Salt
- 25 drops of Essential Oils
Instructions
- Combine powdered ingredients with a whisk until well-mixed.
- Add essential oils if preferred. Be sure to stir thoroughly to combine all the essential oils with the dry ingredients.
- Store in a glass jar with a pretty scoop.
- To Use: Add 1 heaping Tablespoon for regular loads and 2 for extra dirty clothing.
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I can't find washing soda so is there something else we can use instead?
I also use Fela Napha soap. But not the epsom salt.
I made this recipe and then felt like it was going to be too harsh alone, so I added some shaved Fels and Zoto soap. The Epsom salts already had lavender in it, so no need for EOs. That all being said, what I found was that it didn't do well in cold water that I generally wash laundry in. I had to redo the load in warm water, and then it was ok. I hang clothes outside even in the winter weather permitting, and they smelled great when dried. So far, I've been able to find the ingredients for the recipe, but I had to 'go into town' about 35 miles away to find the washing soda.
So you can really use any essential oils that appeal to you. Over the years I've tried lemon, grapefruit, and even vanilla. I'm sorry the recipe didn't work for you previously - was it just the scent that was the issue?
I attempted this recipe previously, but unfortunately, it didn't turn out as expected. What other essential oils do you recommend aside from lavender and orange? I want to do this again because I find your recipe very easy to follow.
Ashley, What would clean the clothes then? Thank you.
Hi Marlene! Thanks for your comments. I add the Epsom salts as a natural fabric softener. I notice it works particularly well on our heavier jeans and work clothes (Like Carhartt overalls.)
Hi Sab! We haven't had any issues with using washing soda in this recipe, and my younger daughter has pretty sensitive skin. That said, I also had a hard time getting washing soda up here a couple of years ago, so I started making my own by baking baking soda on a rack in the oven at a low heat. Maybe I'll write a post about that in the future. That could be an option for you.
Hi Ashley, thanks for the comment. Actually, baking soda has mild alkali properties, which helps with cleaning clothes (among other things.) The washing soda does indeed soften cloth fibers by attaching to the minerals in water, letting the baking soda then "lift" away the dirt.
Hello. I already make this laundry detergent recipe that I found elsewhere, but I am curious: Why Epsom Salt? What does it do for the laundry?
I would love to try making this but unfortunately once I bought the box of washing soda and actually read it, it doesn't seem too skin friendly. It has a cautionary blurb about getting it in contact with the skin. I'm wondering if it shouldn't be near skin then I might have an issue because I'm sensitive to many laundry detergents. Have you ever had any skin issues such as itchiness or dry skin with your homemade detergent using 'washing soda'?!
Sorry to say, but this is nothing but water softeners. There is literally nothing in this recipe that will actually clean clothes.