Homemade Natural Powder Laundry Detergent
This easy-to-follow Homemade laundry detergent recipe uses simple, natural ingredients you can find at your local grocery store. Not only is this DIY laundry detergent better for the environment, but it will also help your family save so much money in the long run! This homemade detergent is a great way to reduce waste and take control of the products you use in your laundry room.
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Why You’ll Love This Homemade Natural Powder Laundry Detergent
Making your own laundry soap might seem intimidating, but trust me, it’s easier than you think! You’ll love this recipe because:
- It’s incredibly cost-effective: A budget-friendly alternative to store-bought laundry soap.
- It’s made with natural ingredients: No harsh chemicals or added fragrances that can irritate sensitive skin.
- It’s customizable: Adjust the scent to your personal preference with different essential oils, or simply omit essential oils if anyone in your household has sensitivities to them.
- Making your own laundry detergent is surprisingly easy: Just a few simple steps and you’ll have a full batch laundry detergent ready to go!
- It’s better for the environment: Reduce your plastic waste and use natural options for your household use.
Ingredients You Need and Why
- Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) – Acts as a natural cleaner and deodorizer.
- Washing soda (sodium carbonate) – Boosts cleaning power and helps to remove stains.
- Borax – Helps freshen and deodorize clothes, as well as enhances the cleaning power of the other ingredients.
- 1.5 Laundry soap bars – Provides the soap component for cleaning. I absolutely swear by this Stain-Remover Laundry Bar made by The Soap Works.
- Lemon essential oil – Optional. Adds a fresh natural scent.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Grate 1.5 soap bars using the fine side of a cheese grater. To get the job done faster, check out our Top Tip below!
- In a large mixing bowl, add washing soda, baking soda, borax, and grated laundry soap (Pro tip: use gloves if you’re sensitive to powders.)
- Add 30 drops of essential oil and mix well. Transfer to a sealed jar to keep it fresh and clump-free.
- Add 2 tablespoons to the main wash compartment of your washing machine. Use hot water for best results. For large loads, add a bit more.
Hint: Serving as a natural fabric softener and odor eliminator, add 1/2 cup of white vinegar to the fabric softener compartment of your washing machine.
Equipment
- Box grater or food processor (see “Top Tip!” below)
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups
- Wooden spoon
- Gallon jar or airtight container
Storage
Store your homemade laundry soap in a labeled gallon jar or another airtight container in a cool, dry place. This will help to prevent clumping and maintain its effectiveness. A dry laundry room shelf is a great place to store it.
Top Tip!
To save time and effort, try roughly chopping your laundry soap bars and placing them in a food processor. Pulse until you reach a fine, even consistency. This is much faster than using a cheese grater, especially if you plan to make a doble batch!
FAQ
Yes, this recipe is safe for both standard and high efficiency washing machines. Because it’s a low-sudsing formula, it won’t cause problems with low-water use machines. Use only 1-2 tablespoons depending on the size of the load for your HE machine.
No, unfortunately this detergent is not recommended for cloth diapers as the borax and soap can build up on the fabric and reduce their absorbency.
Yes, the ingredients used in this recipe are generally considered safe for septic system when used in moderation.
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with your favorite essential oils to create your own custom scent. Lavender, eucalyptus, and orange are all popular choices.
Yes, but you may need to use slightly more detergent per load of laundry. You can also add a little bit of washing soda directly to the wash drum for extra cleaning power. I would encourage you to do your own research to explore the best solution for your homes specific water hardness level.
Homemade Natural Powder Laundry Detergent
Equipment
- Box grater or food processor
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups
- Wooden Spoon
- Gallon jar or airtight container
- Tablespoon to leave in your detergent jar
Instructions
- Grate 1.5 soap bars using the fine side of a cheese grater. To get the job done faster, check out our Top Tip above!
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the washing soda, baking soda, and borax, stirring well to ensure even distribution.
- Add 30 drops of lemon essential oil (or your preferred scent) to the mixture and mix again until the scent is evenly distributed.
- To use: Add 2 TBSP of your homemade laundry detergent to the detergent compartment of your washing machine.
- Storing your homemade laundry detergent: Store your homemade laundry detergent in a labeled gallon jar or other airtight container, and keep it in a cool, dry place to prevent clumping and maintain effectiveness. A dry laundry
Notes
- Hot water is recommended for best results. Cold water may not dissolve the ingredients in this homemade detergent as effectively, which could leave residue on your clothes or reduce its cleaning power.
- For larger loads you may add a small amount more. This recipe is suitable for top loader and high efficiency washing machines.
- Add 1/2 cup white vinegar to the fabric softener compartment — this will naturally soften fabrics and eliminates odors.
- Tip: Keep a spray bottle of white vinegar on hand to pre-treat stains or freshen up smelly areas like shirt armpits before washing.
