Homemade Laundry Detergent: Easy DIY Recipe for Clean Clothes
Making homemade laundry detergent is one of those simple DIY projects that actually works and can save you a lot of money. Not only is it budget-friendly, but it’s also non-toxic, eco-friendly, and customizable for your family’s needs.
With a family of five, laundry is a daily task in our home. Waiting until the weekend can easily turn into 20+ loads to catch up on—lesson learned! That’s why I love having a homemade laundry detergent that’s easy to make, affordable, and keeps laundry day manageable.
In this post, I’ll share why switching from store-bought detergent to homemade is worth it, the ingredients you need, step-by-step instructions, and answers to frequently asked questions.
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- Making homemade laundry detergent is one of those simple DIY projects that actually works and can save you a lot of money. Not only is it budget-friendly, but it’s also non-toxic, eco-friendly, and customizable for your family’s needs.
- Why Switch to Homemade Laundry Detergent
- Recipe Ingredients
- Ingredient Notes
- How to Make Homemade Laundry Detergent Step-by-Step
- Equipment Needed to Make Homemade Laundry Detergent
- Tips for Using Homemade Laundry Detergent
- Storage Tips for Homemade Laundry Detergent
- Extra Tips for Best Results
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- More Recipes You May Fancy!
- Bottom Line
- Homemaking Made Easy: 5 Days to a Cozy & Organized Home
Why Switch to Homemade Laundry Detergent
Recipe Ingredients
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this Homemade Laundry Detergent:
- Fels-Naptha Soap (or Zote / Castile soap)
- Borax
- Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
- Arm & Hammer Baking Soda
- Oxi-Clean (Optional)
- Fabric Softener Crystals (Optional for scent)
Tip: Fabric softener crystals are optional. Add them if you love fresh scents, but leave them out if you’re making a detergent for sensitive skin or babies.
Ingredient Notes
If you have a hard time finding ingredients at your local store, check out Amazon, where they can be purchased.
How to Make Homemade Laundry Detergent Step-by-Step
Here are quick visual instructions for making homemade laundry detergent, step by step. Remember, the full instructions will be in the printable recipe card below.
- Grate the soap bars
- Combine ingredients
- Store in a gallon jar
- Use in laundry
Tip: Sorting laundry by color (darks vs. whites) and type (towels, linens, clothes) will help prevent lint transfer, color fading, and bacteria spread.
Equipment Needed to Make Homemade Laundry Detergent
You don’t need anything fancy—just a few basic tools you probably already have at home:
- Cheese grater or food processor – For grating soap bars into fine flakes.
- Large mixing bowl or bucket – To combine all the ingredients.
- Metal spoon or scoop – For stirring the mixture together.
- Measuring cups – To measure out baking soda, washing soda, and borax.
- Airtight container or 1-gallon jar – For storing your finished detergent.
- Scoop or tablespoon – To easily measure detergent for each load.
Optional:
- Gloves (if you have sensitive skin and want to avoid handling powders directly).
- Funnel (helpful if you’re transferring detergent into smaller jars).
Tips for Using Homemade Laundry Detergent
Measure the Right Amount
Use 2 tablespoons per load for regular laundry. For very large or heavily soiled loads, you can use up to 4 tablespoons. Using too much detergent can cause residue buildup in your washer.
Sort Laundry Properly
Separate darks, lights, towels, and linens to prevent color transfer, lint, or bacteria from spreading between loads.
Boost Cleaning Power (Optional)
Add 1–2 tablespoons of oxygen bleach for whites or heavily soiled items.
Pre-soak stained clothing in a small amount of detergent mixed with warm water.
Safe for All Washers
Homemade laundry detergent is low-sudsing, making it safe for high-efficiency (HE) washers as well as traditional machines.
Prevent Residue in Washer
Run a monthly cleaning cycle in your washer to remove any detergent buildup.
Avoid overfilling the drum with clothes; this helps detergent circulate evenly and clean effectively.
Add Natural Fragrance (Optional)
Mix in 10–20 drops of essential oil like lavender, lemon, or tea tree for a fresh scent.
Shake or stir the detergent before use if the oils have settled.
Storage Tips for Homemade Laundry Detergent
Use the Right Container: Store your detergent in an airtight jar, plastic tub, or container with a secure lid. This keeps moisture out and prevents clumping. Glass, plastic, or metal containers all work as long as they seal well.
Shelf Life: Homemade laundry detergent typically lasts 6–12 months. Over time, it may lose some fragrance (if you added essential oils), but it will still clean effectively.
Prevent Clumping: To avoid clumps in humid areas:
- Keep the container in a cool, dry place away from steam or sinks.
- Add a few dry rice grains or silica gel packets to absorb excess moisture.
- Stir or shake the detergent occasionally to break up any small clumps that form.
Extra Tips for Best Results
- Use hot water for whites and very dirty loads; cold water works fine for colors.
- Shake or stir the jar occasionally to prevent clumping.
- Try adding 10–20 drops of essential oil (lavender, lemon, or tea tree) for natural fragrance and extra cleaning power.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes! It’s gentle enough for babies and sensitive skin. Avoid fabric softener crystals if concerned.
Using too much detergent can cause residue and excess suds. Most machines have a cleaning cycle to fix this easily.
Absolutely! Homemade detergent is low-sudsing and safe for all washers, including HE machines.
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More Recipes You May Fancy!
I hope you love the homemade laundry detergent. If you make it, please be sure to leave a comment and a rating, so I know how you like it. Enjoy, Xo
Homemade Laundry Detergent: Easy DIY Recipe for Clean Clothes
Save money and go green with this homemade laundry detergent recipe. Non-toxic, eco-friendly, and effective for HE or traditional washers.
Materials
- 3 bars Fels-Naptha Soap (or Zote / Castile soap)
- 1 box Borax
- 1 box Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
- 2 cups Arm & Hammer Baking Soda
- 1 container Oxi-Clean
- Optional: 1–2 containers Fabric Softener Crystals (for scent)
Tools
- Cheese grater or food processor – For grating soap bars into fine flakes.
- Large mixing bowl or bucket – To combine all the ingredients.
- Wooden spoon or scoop – For stirring the mixture together.
- Measuring cups – To measure out baking soda, washing soda, and borax.
- Airtight container or 1-gallon jar – For storing your finished detergent.
- Scoop or tablespoon – To easily measure detergent for each load.
Instructions
- Grate the soap bars: Use a food processor for fine flakes, or a cheese grater if you don’t have one.
- Combine ingredients: In a very large bowl, mix the grated soap with washing soda, borax, baking soda, and Oxi-Clean. Stir until fully combined.
- Store in a gallon jar: Keep in an airtight container with a scoop for easy use.
- Use in laundry: Use 2 tablespoons per load, add directly into the washer drum (not the detergent drawer).
Tip: Sorting laundry by color (darks vs. whites) and type (towels, linens, clothes) will help prevent lint transfer, color fading, and bacteria spread.
Notes
Tips for Using Homemade Laundry
Detergent
Measure the Right Amount: Use 2 tablespoons per load for regular laundry. For very large or heavily soiled loads, you can use up to 4 tablespoons. Using too much detergent can
cause of residue buildup in your washer.
Safe for All Washers: Homemade laundry detergent is low-sudsing, making it safe for high-efficiency (HE) washers as well as traditional machines.
Sort Laundry Properly: Separate darks, lights, towels, and linens to prevent color transfer, lint, or
bacteria from spreading between loads.
Boost Cleaning Power (Optional): Add 1–2 tablespoons of oxygen bleach for whites or heavily soiled items. Pre-soak stained clothing in a small amount of detergent mixed with warm
water.
Add Natural Fragrance (Optional): Mix in 10–20 drops of essential oil like lavender, lemon, or tea tree for a fresh scent. Shake or stir the detergent before use if the oils have settled.
Prevent Residue in Washer: Run a monthly cleaning cycle in your washer to remove any detergent
buildup. Avoid overfilling the drum with clothes; this helps detergent circulate
evenly and clean effectively.
Fabric softener crystals are optional. Add them if you love fresh scents, but leave them out if you’re making a detergent for sensitive skin or babies.
Bottom Line
Homemade laundry detergent is easy, budget-friendly, eco-conscious, and highly effective. Once you make your first batch, you’ll never look back at expensive store-bought detergents!
Not only will you save money, but you’ll also reduce harsh chemicals in your home, cut down on plastic waste, and have the satisfaction of knowing exactly what’s in the products you use on your family’s clothes.
With just a few simple ingredients and a little prep time, you can enjoy fresh, clean laundry while supporting a greener, healthier lifestyle.
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It includes:
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By the end of the 5 days, you’ll feel more at peace, in control, and inspired in your home.
I used to make something very similar to this… and I need to get back to it! Thanks for the inspiration!
Yay! You are very welcome!
I’ve been thinking about a laundry alternative. I’d like to try your recipe! Thank you!
That is awesome. Let me know how you like it!
Do you think this would clump up if let out, in a shed, where I’ll have my washing machine? I do want to make my own detergent, but I’m afraid that a dry mix will absorb moisture and be ruined. I’d be really interested if you had a method for turning this recipe into a liquid laundry soap. Anyhow, this is a very well written and handy post to have on hand for the future, when my husband finally gets the electric and water run to our shed to hook up our washer and dryer.
I am not sure. What I would suggest is only keep a little out to see how it does in the change of temperatures. Thank you so much, you re very kind! And I am planning on a new post for liquid laundry detergent soon 🙂
I’ve been using a similar recipe for years and it works so well!
It sure does!
First of all I love your laundry room! Secondly, I’m going to give this a go, i’ve been looking at ways to start switiching to natural cleaning products. thanks for sharing.
Aww thank you so much. It was working progress for sure. I have been for awhile now & so happy that I did!