Affordable, powerful, gentle on the skin, septic and HE safe – this homemade laundry detergent checks all of our boxes!

A Reliable Homemade Detergent

There’s something about fresh laundry on the line that makes a home feel like it’s got its act together—even if life behind the scenes is a bit wild. Whether it’s sweat-soaked fair clothes, stinky fishy towels, or the third outfit your toddler went through by lunchtime, laundry doesn’t stop around here. Let me tell you, knowing that my family’s laundry is cleaned with natural ingredients and then dried on our clothesline is a factor in helping me sleep at night 🙂

After trying more than a few store-bought options, I finally landed on a homemade laundry soap recipe that checks every box:
✔ Gets clothes truly clean
✔ Affordable per load
✔ Safe for my family’s sensitive skin
✔ Simple to make in minutes
✔ Smells like clean

And because it’s powder, it stores well and takes up very little space. Just how we like it.

• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Add-ons that make a difference
• Cost Breakdown
• Printable Instruction Card
• FAQs

Making your own Laundry Detergent

Ingredients

You’ll need just a handful of powerhouse basics you can find at most big-box stores or order online.

• 1 bar Fels-Naptha, Zote, or Castile soap (like Dr. Bronner’s), finely grated
• 1 cup Washing Soda (this is not baking soda—look for Arm & Hammer Washing Soda)
• 1 cup Borax (optional if you’re Borax-free)
• 1 cup Baking Soda
• 10–20 drops essential oil (I like lavender, lemon, or tea tree)
• Optional boost: ¼ cup OxiClean powder for extra stain-fighting power

Pro tip: You can leave out the Borax if you’d prefer a more natural or sensitive-skin blend. It still works beautifully!

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How to Make It

1. Grate the soap bar using a hand grater or my favorite quick method- the food processor until finely crumbled.
2. Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl. Stir well so it’s evenly combined.
3. Store in an airtight container like a large mason jar or lidded tub. Add a label and scoop!

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How to Use It

• Add 1–2 tablespoons per load of laundry.
• For best results, place it directly in the drum, not the detergent dispenser.
• Works in cold, warm, or hot water.

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Why This Detergent Works

This recipe simplifies your store-bought laundry detergent and cuts it down from 15+ ingredients to just 5. It’s tough on dirt, gentle on fabric, and free of the filler ingredients found in many store-bought detergents.

No weird additives or harsh suds—just clean clothes, naturally.

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Add-Ons That Make a Difference

• Add ½ cup white vinegar to the fabric softener compartment for a natural softener
• Toss in wool dryer balls with a few drops of essential oil for fresh-smelling laundry
• Keep a shaker of baking soda nearby for those extra-stinky loads (farm life, right?)

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Cost Breakdown

Most of these ingredients make multiple batches, meaning each load of laundry costs just pennies. That’s a huge win for large families or anyone trying to simplify and save. This recipe makes 3 cups meaning if you use 1 – 2 tbsp each wash this will last you up to 30+ loads!

Product	Price (relative)
1 bar Fels-Naptha, Zote, or Castile Soap	$20
Washing Soda	$6
Borax	$7 – $12
Baking Soda	$3
10–20 drops essential oil	$9 – $80: I recommend buying a set of essential oils – this is one of those purchases I don’t skimp out on because they enhance almost every household item I make like our natural deodorant
Optional boost: ¼ cup OxiClean powder for extra stain-fighting power	$9

Total Cost: Approx. $55 per batch

Printable Instruction Card

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Top Questions People Ask About Homemade Laundry Soap

1. Is it safe for HE washers?

Yes! This powdered recipe is low-sudsing, which is exactly what HE (high-efficiency) machines need. Just use 1 tablespoon per load.

2. Will it actually get my clothes clean?

It does—especially when paired with warm water or a vinegar rinse. Washing soda and soap bar do the heavy lifting. For extra-dirty loads, add a scoop of OxiClean or soak items beforehand.

3. What’s the difference between baking soda and washing soda? Do I need both?

Yes, they serve different roles.

• Washing soda lifts grime and softens hard water.
• Baking soda neutralizes odors and acts as a gentle cleanser.

Using both makes for a more balanced and effective detergent.

4. Can I leave out the Borax?

Absolutely. Some people prefer to skip Borax due to skin sensitivity. The soap still works well without it—just don’t skip the washing soda.

5. Does it work in cold water?

Yes, but grated soap may dissolve more slowly in very cold washes. If you do a lot of cold loads, consider grating your soap extra fine or dissolving a tablespoon in warm water before adding.

6. Can I use this for baby clothes or cloth diapers?

Yes, if you skip the Borax and OxiClean and use a gentle castile soap. Just patch test if your baby has sensitive skin. Some cloth diaper communities recommend liquid soap versions instead, to avoid build-up.

7. What essential oils are safe to use?

Stick to gentle, cleansing oils like:

• Lavender – calming and fresh
• Lemon – clean and bright (natural degreaser)
• Tea tree – antimicrobial and earthy

8. Can I make a liquid version of this?

Yes, but it’s more time-consuming and requires cooking the soap into a gel. Powdered is quicker, lasts longer, and takes less storage space. If you’re interested, I can share a recipe!

Pin for Later

Homemade doesn’t have to be complicated. This laundry soap recipe is one of those simple, satisfying resets that feels like a small act of care—both for your family and your home.

Have you made your own laundry soap before? I’d love to hear how it went—or what scent combinations you’re using!