Switching to homemade laundry detergent is a simple and powerful way to reduce toxins, cut costs, and lessen your environmental impact. Whether you’re trying to clean up your household routine or just love DIY, making your own detergent is surprisingly easy — and effective.
💡 Why Go DIY with Laundry Detergent?
- Avoid synthetic fragrances, sulfates, and dyes
- Save money — homemade detergent can cost pennies per load
- Control what touches your skin (especially helpful for sensitive skin)
- Eco-conscious — reduce plastic waste and harmful chemicals in waterways
- Customizable — adjust for sensitive skin, scent preference, or stain-fighting needs
🧂 DIY Powdered Laundry Detergent
This is a favorite for many because it stores well, lasts a long time, and is super easy to make.
🌿 Basic Powder Recipe
Ingredients (for ~40–60 loads):
- 1 bar castile soap (grated) or natural laundry bar (like Dr. Bronner’s or Fels-Naptha)
- 1 cup washing soda
- 1 cup baking soda (softens water and deodorizes)
- 1/2 cup citric acid or borax (optional – helps whiten and clean)
- 1/2 cup Epsom salt or coarse sea salt (softens water)
- 10–20 drops essential oils (optional – lavender, lemon, eucalyptus, etc.)
Instructions:
- Finely grate your bar soap with a cheese grater or food processor.
- In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well.
- Store in an airtight glass or stainless steel container.
- Use 1–2 tablespoons per regular load of laundry.
🧺 Pro Tip: For hard water, add an extra tablespoon of washing soda or use vinegar in the rinse cycle.
💧 DIY Liquid Laundry Detergent
Liquid detergent is great for cold water loads and dissolves easily. This recipe makes a gel-like soap that’s gentle yet powerful.
🧼 Liquid Laundry Soap (Makes ~2 gallons)
Ingredients:
- 1 bar castile soap or laundry bar (grated)
- 1 cup washing soda
- 1/2 cup borax (optional)
- 15–20 drops essential oils (optional)
- 1 gallon + 1 quart water
Instructions:
- In a large pot, melt grated soap in 4 cups of hot water over medium heat, stirring until dissolved.
- Add washing soda and borax. Stir until fully dissolved.
- Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Pour mixture into a clean 2-gallon bucket. Add remaining water and stir well.
- Let sit overnight. The mixture will thicken to a gel-like consistency.
- Stir or shake before each use.
- Use 1/4 to 1/2 cup per load, depending on size and soil level.
Optional: Add 1/2 cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle for extra softening and residue removal.
✨ Natural Scent Boosters (Optional)
If you want that fresh laundry scent without toxic fragrance:
- Add 1/2 cup baking soda + 10–15 drops essential oils (like lavender, orange, or peppermint) to each batch of powder detergent.
- Or, make reusable DIY dryer sheets by adding essential oils to squares of cloth or wool dryer balls.
👕 Common Ingredient Benefits
| Ingredient | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Castile Soap | Gently cleans clothes without harsh additives |
| Washing Soda (Sodium Carbonate) | Powerful degreaser and water softener |
| Baking Soda | Deodorizes, brightens fabrics |
| Borax | Natural stain remover and disinfectant (optional) |
| Citric Acid | Breaks down minerals, softens water |
| Salt | Softens hard water, boosts cleaning power |
🔍 Troubleshooting DIY Laundry Detergent
Residue on clothes?
Try using less detergent per load, or add vinegar to the rinse cycle.
Clothes not getting clean?
Pre-treat stains with a mix of castile soap and baking soda, or soak with vinegar beforehand.
Hard water issues?
Add a water softener like citric acid or more washing soda, and use vinegar in the rinse cycle.
Separation in liquid detergent?
Just stir or shake before use. This is normal with homemade recipes.
⚠️ A Note on HE (High Efficiency) Washers
Yes — homemade detergents can be used in HE washers. They are low-sudsing by nature, which makes them suitable. Just use smaller amounts (1 tablespoon powder or 1/4 cup liquid per load).
🧴 How to Store Your Homemade Detergent
- Powder: Store in an airtight jar or container away from moisture.
- Liquid: Store in a bucket with a lid, large mason jar, or old detergent container. Stir before use.
🌎 Final Thoughts
Homemade laundry detergent isn’t just about cutting costs — it’s about taking back control of what’s in your home, on your skin, and in your soil and waterways. Whether you’re aiming to reduce your footprint, avoid allergens, or just love getting hands-on, DIY laundry soap is a win-win.
Make a batch, test a load, and see how simple clean living can be!