Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe | Powder Version - Lemons, Lavender, & Laundry (2024)

Several years ago, I was up until midnight researching homemade laundry detergent recipes. I know. Crazy. My goal was to figure out the best ingredients to use, while keeping it cost-effective. Typically, I use vinegar and baking soda for my cleaning products, so I was out of my element with items like Fels Naptha and Borax, but in the end I came up with a recipe that I really like, and it lasts forever. (Not really forever, but close…)

There are so many homemade laundry detergent recipes out there. The first choice you have to make is whether to go with a powder or liquid version. I had never used powder, but most people felt the powder versions do a better job, and I was sold when it meant I didn’t have to cook soap to melt it down.

If you are interested in a liquid version of DIY Laundry Detergent, I did create one that doesn’t require melting soap 🙂

What You Need to Make Homemade Laundry Detergent

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Ingredients Needed for DIY Laundry Soap

• 1 Box Washing Soda (55 oz)
• 1 Box Borax (65 oz)- This was a controversial item. Some say it’s safe; others argue it’s not. This article finally convinced me that it was okay to use, but if you are not comfortable you could leave it out and adjust other ingredients accordingly. Other articles I read state that washing soda can be used on its own because its pH is higher, and therefore it would do a better job cleaning clothes than Borax anyway. Again, up to you.
• 3 Bars Castile Soap– Many recipes call for using Fels Naptha, and this makes sense because Fels Naptha is a laundry bar used for stain-removal. I, however, chose to use Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap which is made with a combination of organic oils. They come in a variety of scents, which adds some natural fragrance to the laundry detergent recipe. However, you can also purchase unscented from Amazon. (UPDATE: I ended up trying this recipe with Fels Naptha as well, and I like it! It grates a lot easier than Castile Soap, but it also doesn’t score as high on the EWG rating for “clean products”. Fels Naptha gets a C, while Dr. Bronner’s Castile Bar Soap gets the highest rating offered.)
• 2 Boxes Oxiclean Free (3 lb. each) OR 1 Box Oxiclean (5 lb.)- I went with Oxiclean Free which contains no dyes or fragrances as I have a child with sensitive skin, but you could certainly go with a different version if sensitive skin isn’t an issue (it’ll be cheaper that way). In all my research, I learned that the active ingredient in Oxiclean is hydrogen peroxide and I know hydrogen peroxide is a miracle at getting things clean when combined with baking soda. (See it work when cleaning a porcelain sink and/or cleaning grout).
• 2 Cups Baking Soda– Some recipes state that adding baking soda to the mix is a moot point because its power to work is minimal in comparison with the washing soda, but I added it to actually help with balancing out the pH, especially for gentle-wash clothes.

Supplies Needed for Homemade Laundry Soap

• Garbage Bags
• Storage Container with Tight Fitting Lid

How to Make DIY Laundry Detergent

To make this homemade laundry detergent recipe, we need to grate the bars of soap. Start by (carefully) cutting the bars of soap into (approximately) 1″ cubes; then place them into a food processor. If you don’t have a food processor, you can grate the soap by hand; just a little more work.

Allow the food processor to run until you get small pieces of soap (see the picture below for sizing).

See Also

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This recipe makes a lot of laundry detergent, so place a garbage bag into a trash can to help stabilize the bag while pouring in the ingredients. (It’s best to double bag for extra strength.) Once your bags are securely in the trash can, add all the ingredients into the bag. Yes. All of them.

• 1 55 oz Box of Washing Soda
• 1 65 oz Box of Borax
• 3 Bars Castile Soap (Or Fels Naptha)- Grated
• 2 3 lb. Boxes of Oxiclean Free or 1 5 lb Box of Regular Oxiclean
• 2 Cups Baking Soda

Tie a knot at the top of the bag so nothing can escape. Roll it around for awhile so everything has a chance to mix together. Once everything is thoroughly combined, cut a hole in one of the bottom corners and allow the mix to drain into your storage container.

It is best to use an air-tight container with a good sealing lid to keep out any moisture that could eventually clump and/or harden the mix. I love Montana Jars for storage!I used the 1.5 gallon jar, but you can get a two gallon jar as well. They are strong and I like the way they look. I stored the extra detergent in a gallon Ziploc bag.

I created a printable, cut it out, and adhered it to the jar with adhesive spray. If you would like one, you can have one for yourself: Laundry Detergent Printable

How to Use DIY Laundry Detergent

When you go to do a load of laundry, add 2 Tablespoons of the homemade laundry soap to your detergent dispenser, and that’s it.

If you’d rather buy laundry detergent, check out a brand I’d definitely recommend here.

Common Questions About Homemade Laundry Soap

Can I Use This Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe in a HE (High Efficiency) Washing Machine?

Yes! I have only used this laundry detergent recipe in a HE washing machine and have had no issues.

Can I Use This Homemade Laundry Soap Recipe with Cold Water

Yes… but with a little warning… I almost always wash my clothes in cold water and very infrequently I would notice a bit of the soap wouldn’t completely dissolve (you might see a little gray streak of soap on a clothing item). If you choose to wash in cold water, an extra rinse cycle may help to avoid this issue.

Should I Adjust the Amount for a Top Loading vs Front Loading Washer?

Top loading washing machines tend to use more water, which will dilute the laundry detergent a bit more. You can always try the 2 Tablespoons that are recommended for front-loading washers, and if you feel your clothes aren’t coming out as clean as you’d like, add 1-2 Tablespoons more.

Can I Add Essential Oils to This DIY Laundry Detergent Recipe?

I love adding essential oils to many of my homemade cleaning recipes, but I wouldn’t necessarily add it to this one. Essential oils are going to add moisture to the mix, which could contribute to clumping or hardening over time. I would recommend buying a scented version of the Castile Bar Soap (or use the Fels Naptha) for added scent.

Is Homemade Laundry Detergent Better Than Store Bought?

Store bought laundry detergents can have quite a few questionable ingredients. Here are several to watch out for:

Fragrance– Of course we all want our clean clothes to smell good, but there are over 3,500 different ingredients that can be used to create “fragrance” in the products we use around our homes. (Source) The issue is that brands do not have to disclose which of these 3,500+ ingredients they used to create their signature scent because it is considered proprietary. The University of Washington also conducted a study on the harmful effects of scented laundry detergent by testing the air coming from the dryer after washing. The results show “that air vented from machines using the top-selling scented liquid laundry detergent and scented dryer sheet contains hazardous chemicals, including two that are classified as carcinogens.” Yikes!
Dyes– Dyes are, of course, added to many cleaning products: laundry detergent, glass cleaner, dish soap, etc. The information I could find on the potentially harmful effects of added dyes includes everything from skin irritations to possible carcinogens. (Source)
Phosphates– Phosphates are often added to detergents to enhance its cleaning power by softening the water. The issue is phosphates can pollute natural bodies of water. (Source)

The benefit of homemade laundry detergent is you actually know what you are adding to the recipe.

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