The homemade laundry detergent recipes you’ll find in this post are extremely effective, easy to make, and more affordable than store bought detergents. They’re safe to use in HE machines, too (and since you’ll use less detergent per load, each batch will last even longer!) These DIY laundry soap recipes utilize ingredients like baking soda, borax, washing soda, and bars of laundry soap, all of which are great stain removers (and which you may remember from many of my best stain removal tips!)
The first recipe for homemade laundry detergent we’ll cover is an OGT classic. I’ve been using this detergent for over 10 years now, because it’s easy to make, has incredible cleaning power, and doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin like some other detergents do. And it certainly doesn’t hurt that it makes enough laundry detergent for 280 loads for around $50 in supplies (just 18 cents per load, for those keeping track at home!)
In addition to the powdered detergent recipe, this post also includes a trial-size version of that recipe, as well as how-tos for making laundry detergent tablets and a great liquid laundry soap. After all, you can never have too many options in the fight against grass stains, sweat stains, dirt, blood stains, and all the other challenges you face in the laundry room!
What Do People Love About This Homemade Laundry Detergent?
Take a look at what readers who use this recipe have had to say about my homemade powdered laundry detergent:
“I just made this laundry soap last week and I LOVE it! Not only does the recipe make a ton, but the soap smells good and works wonderfully too! I don’t usually leave comments, but I truly wanted to thank you for all the inspiration!”
Michaelle T.
“This homemade laundry detergent works fabulously. It’s cheap to make, and it gets my clothes super clean. Thank you!”
Karen
“This is the best smelling laundry detergent ever! It’s super easy to make and cleans wonderfully. I shared some with my mother-in-law and sister, and they both love the scent too!”
S. Allen
“I LOVE all of your homemade cleaning items, especially the laundry soap. I haven’t bought from a store since the first time I made it; it’s FUN!!”
Cindy R.
Homemade Powdered Laundry Detergent
This recipe makes about 35 cups of detergent (around 280 standard wash loads, or 560 HE loads).
Ingredients:
- 3 bars (15 oz) Fels-Naptha laundry soap OR 1 bar Zote OR 3 bars Castile soap
- 1 box (76 oz) borax (20 Mule Team is the most common brand)
- 1 box (55 oz) washing soda
- 2 cups baking soda
- 2 boxes (6 lbs) OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover
- 1–2 bottles (15–30 oz) Purex Crystals in-wash fragrance booster (optional, see below)
Directions:
Step 1 – Grate the Soap
First, you’ll need to break down the bars of soap into fine pieces or pellets. The pieces need to be quite small in order to ensure they’ll be able to dissolve completely in your washing machine.
I usually do this by chopping the soap bars into big chunks, then adding them to the blender cup of my Blendtec with a scoop of OxiClean. Letting my blender do all the work saves me a lot of time and energy, and the OxiClean helps prevent the laundry soap pieces from sticking together and gumming up the blender.
If you don’t have a high-powered blender, you can grind up the soap in your food processor or grate it using a hand-held cheese grater. (Grating soap by hand is a bit of a workout, but it gets the job done!)
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Step 2 – Mix the Ingredients
Next, gather all your detergent ingredients and grab a couple of kitchen trash bags. Pour the grated laundry soap, borax, washing soda, baking soda, OxiClean, and Purex Crystals (if using) into one trash bag, then close the bag and tie it off securely.
Place the tied bag inside the second trash bag, then close and tie off that one too. Then you’ll be able to push, tumble, and roll the bags around to mix all the ingredients together (with no mess to clean up afterward!)
Step 3 – Transfer to a Container
After mixing, cut a hole in the corner of both trash bags and empty the detergent into a large container for storage. (If you live in a humid climate, make sure the container has an airtight lid! You can also toss a few silica gel packets into the detergent to absorb moisture and prevent clumps.
How Much Powdered Detergent Should I Use Per Load?
- Use 2 tablespoons of this homemade laundry detergent per standard wash load, or 2 1/2 tablespoons for large or heavily soiled loads.
- For HE machines, use 1 tablespoon per wash load, or 1 1/2 tablespoons for large or heavily soiled loads.
Note: For best results, add the detergent directly to the wash drum of your washing machine. This will prevent any issues with the soap bits getting stuck or clogging your detergent dispenser.
BONUS: Fels Naptha, Zote & Castile Soap: What’s the Difference?
Fels-Naptha bars are made of soap and talc, and feature a light scent that only lingers on fabrics for a day or so. (You can also use it to wash off oils from poison ivy and other itch-causing plants that have gotten on your clothes and skin, so consider keeping a bar with your camping gear!)
The most common Castile bar soap is Dr. Bonner’s Pure Castile Bar Soap. It’s made from organic vegetable-derived oils, available in a variety of scents, contains no foaming agents, and is vegan and cruelty-free.
Zote is made with beef tallow, coconut oil, and citronella, which gives it a longer-lasting scent than other laundry soaps. There’s also a pink version of Zote that’s supposed to be gentler and better for sensitive skin (though I’ve personally never had issues with any of the laundry bar soaps I’ve tried!)
All three of these are fine for HE machines as none of them produce a lot of suds. Fels Naptha has been used for decades as a pre-treatment for a variety of greasy stains including chocolate, baby formula, and cosmetics.
Homemade Powdered Laundry Soap – Trial-Size Recipe
Interested in trying this homemade powdered detergent, but aren’t ready to commit to making a full batch? This trial-size recipe is perfect for that! It’s also a great option for households that don’t need a huge amount of detergent on hand.
This version of the recipe makes just over 11 cups of detergent, (around 90 standard wash loads, or 180 HE loads).
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Ingredients:
- 1 bar Fels Naptha laundry soap
- 3 cups borax
- 2 cups washing soda
- 3/4 cup baking soda
- 4 1/2 cups OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover
- 1 cup Purex Crystals in-wash fragrance booster (optional)
Directions:
Make according to the directions provided for the full-size recipe above.
Homemade Laundry Detergent Tablets
If you like store-bought detergent pods, consider using the powdered detergent described above to make your own detergent tablets! Because you won’t have to measure out detergent for each wash load, you’ll be less likely to use too much, which means fewer residue issues and less wear on your clothes.
Tablets can also make laundry simpler for teens and husbands, and they’re easier to travel with than liquid detergent — whether you’re traveling to the nearest laundromat or out of the country! Plus, they’re quick and easy to make if you already have a batch of powdered detergent on hand.
How to Make Homemade Laundry Detergent Tabs
You’ll need:
- Powdered laundry detergent*
- Spray bottle
- White vinegar
- Bowl
- Tablespoon
- Ice cube tray or silicone mold
Directions:
Pour some white vinegar into a spray bottle, then add about 2 cups of powdered laundry detergent to a mixing bowl. Spray the detergent with vinegar until just damp enough that it forms a clump when you squeeze it in your hand.
Add one heaping tablespoon of the moistened detergent to each cavity of your mold, then press down firmly until the detergent is tightly packed and level.
How Many Laundry Detergent Tabs Should I Use?
- For HE washing machines, use 1 tab per normal-sized load of laundry.
- For standard washing machines, use 2 tabs per normal-sized load.
Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup borax
- 1/2 cup washing soda
- 1/2 cup Dawn dish soap (or liquid Castile soap)
- 4 cups hot water
Directions:
Add the borax, washing soda, and soap to a gallon-sized container (an empty juice or milk carton works great), then add the hot water and shake or stir to dissolve the ingredients. Fill the remaining space in the container with cool water.
The ingredients may settle over time, so give the bottle a good shake before each use. (And since the liquid detergent doesn’t contain OxiClean like the powdered version does, feel free to add a bit of oxygen bleach to your washer along with your detergent when washing whites!)
How Much Liquid Detergent Should I Use?
- For standard washers, use 1/4 cup per normal load (or more for large or heavily-soiled loads).
- For HE washers, use 2 tablespoons per normal load (or more for large or heavily-soiled loads).
A Few Helpful Notes
- All of these detergents are safe to use in front-loading, high-efficiency washers. (The liquid detergent produces little to no suds, so it’s perfect for HE models.)
- For a vegan detergent, use Castile bar soap, rather than Fels-Naptha or Zote.
- Purex Crystals help give homemade laundry detergent a fresh, lasting scent. To avoid synthetic fragrances and chemicals, feel free to leave them out — the detergent will work just fine without them!
- Another fragrance option is to make your own natural scented crystals with essential oils. (Natural fragrances fade faster than synthetic ones do, so you may want to store and add your homemade scent crystals separately from your detergent.)
- If you’re looking for more ways to save money on laundry supplies, consider making homemade dryer sheets.
- For more homemade cleaning supplies, check out my homemade detergent for dishwashers — the ingredients and process are quite similar!
Have you ever tried to make your own laundry detergent?
Homemade Powdered Laundry Detergent Recipe
Video
Equipment
- Blender
- Kitchen Knife
- Storage Container
Ingredients
- 15 ounces Fels-Naptha Laundry Bar Soap
- 76 ounces borax
- 55 ounces washing soda
- 2 cups baking soda
- 110 ounces OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover
- 15 ounces Purex Crystals optional
Instructions
- Break down the bars of Fels-Naptha in fine pellets of laundry soap. The pieces need to be small enough that they will dissolve readily in your washing machine.
- Pour the laundry soap pellets, borax, washing soda, baking soda, OxiClean, and Purex Crystals (if using) into a trash bag. Tie it off, put it in another trash bag, and tie off the second bag.
- Roll the bag around the mix, then cut a hole in the corner of both bags and pour the detergent into a big jar or container for storage.
Would you have to increase the amount used because of hard water? or is there something else you might need to add?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Im super excited to try this out
I add an extra scoop of borax for my super hard water! It works great :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Appreciate your idea. Never thought about this. I must try it today.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi Jillee! Thank you for this post and the accompanying video! While browsing my local Walmart for the ingredients to make the Homemade Laundry Detergent I discovered a box of Zote Laundry Detergent Flakes. Even though it was a bit more expensive ($1.00/bar for both Zote and Fels Naptha; $3.97/box of Zote Flakes), the fact that I didn’t have to cut, grate, or blend anything in a blender was enough for me to decide to spend the extra $1.00 for the Zote Flakes. I have been using the detergent for about a month, and am thrilled with the results!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Awesome, thanks for letting me know! Glad to know that there is an even easier version!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I made this yesterday and am eager to try in the washing machine! I used only a 1/2 bottle of the fabric softening crystals as I found the smell overwhelming. In addition, rather than purchase a container, I used an empty see through, round pretzel container – it was just the right size! Finally, I made the mixture in a Rubbermaid like tub, but will want to use a garbage bag next time as the powder/dust was irritating when I mixed it in the tub.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.1/2 a bottle of crystals should be just fine! They are pretty strong! The trash bag is definitely the best tool for the job :-) Thanks Gloria!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I used to make powdered laundry soap. I recently moved and now have a new HE washer. Can this powdered soap be used without causing damage or building in the washer? Thanks.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Yes, it is safe for HE washers :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Do you know if washing soda is available in Canada?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I don’t, but you can make your own! https://onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2013/01/make-your-own-washing-soda-for-homemade-laundry-detergent.html
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve used homemade laundry detergents before, but found them to be harsh on our clothes. Have you noticed a breaking down of the fabrics at all with this recipe? My clothes were becoming stiff, almost brittle feeling, and prone to hoIes. it possible I was just using too much detergent per load?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Nope, this detergent seems to be even more gentle on my clothing than store-bought detergents :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.How cool – thanks for the tip! I can’t wait to try it out!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi Jillee! Huge fan! I made this stuff about 6 Mos ago and I’m still loving it!! Quick question though: is it 2 TBS for regular washers and 1 TBS for HE washers? I could have sworn that was in your other post about this detergent. In this post it says 2 TBS. I just want to make sure cuz I only use 1 TBS now and it seems to work great for me. With Tide I used to have problems with my HE washer stinking after use but thanks to your great concoction no more musty smell EVER! I also stopped having to use those super expensive washer cleaners!! Thanks a bunch!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You don’t need to use more than 1 T if it’s working well! But 2 T won’t be too much for HE washers. So glad you like the recipe!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It came from Walmart! I’ve seen them at craft stores, too :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This recipe is really great for sensitive skin! I would just leave out the fabric softening crystals :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.1. Any laundry soap bar will work. I know there’s one called Zote, you might have something else :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.2. Yes!
3. Absolutely! It is much better than store-bought detergents when it comes to sensitive skin. You may want to leave out the fabric softening crystals if perfumes irritate your skin. :-)
thank you
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I do! It’s really easy :-) https://onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/02/no-grate-homemade-laundry-soap.html
Please log in or create a free account to comment.OxyClean!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve been using this recipe for the last 3 years. It may sound expensive, $30+ for your first big batch, but when I added up what I was spending each month on laundry detergent, oxyClean, and softener, plus an occasional bottle of pre-treatment spray, it was well over $50 per month. And this big batch DOES last me several months. There are two things I’d like to add: First, Zote, (which some recipes call for instead of Fels-naphtha) now offers Zote flakes, at the same price as the Zote bars. Saves you from chopping the bars up and/or grating them by hand! Second, and this is important, Do Not use this detergent with chlorine bleach. There’s a chemical reaction between them, which causes whites to yellow or even turn grayish, with some darker gray splotches. Luckily, I had only washed my hubby’s white underwear and socks by the time I figured it out. So I have a small bottle of (commercial) liquid laundry soap that I keep for my “bleach” loads. Thanks Jillee, for all of the wonderful tips you bestow upon your audience.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My youngest child has extremely sensitive skin and has not been able to tolerate any commercial laundry detergents without breaking out in horrible skin rashes. She has actually been able to tolerate this product without any problems even though it isn’t “free and clear.” We have been using this for about a year and a half so each batch lasts approximately 6 months for our family of 6, with lots of small active children.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I believe jillee has a trial sized version of this recipe posted elsewhere on the site that you could try out before you commit to making an entire batch.
I find that the fabric softener crystals don’t really help with fragrance … so left them out last time I made the detergent (and I do use a separate softener). BUT … my detergent clumps more easily. So I think I’ll get some of the blue dots and add them to my jar.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.What are blue dots? I stopped making powdered diy cleaners because of clumping! I’d love a solution to that.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.She’s talking about the fabric softener crystals :-)
If you’re trying to do this recipe all natural, keep the borax, baking soda and washing soda but put in only a natural bar soap instead of the fels-naphtha. Ivory or a castile soap work well. Leave off the other high-chemical ingredients. You’ll still have a fine detergent and it’ll be even less expensive.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use this same formula, and I add a cup of epsom salts and one additional cup of baking soda. My family has not had any issues in the 18 months I’ve been making it. Plus it works great! For fabric softener I use wool dryer balls. I find that the gentle scent of the castile soap is more pleasing than the heavily scented commercial products I used to use.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Yes!! I have been using this recipe for the past 2 years and I LOVE it.
https://onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/02/no-grate-homemade-laundry-soap.html
I use Gain dish soap for the mix and I also like to use Gain Fireworks Scent Booster. I use a cup of the “No Grate Homemade Laundry Soap” and cap full of the Gain Fireworks Scent Booster and my clothes come out clean and smelling GREAT!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Please tell us what size jar that is. Is it 1 or 2 gallon?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It is a 2 gallon jar
Please log in or create a free account to comment.2 gallons :-) Sorry Heather, I should have mentioned that!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you so much!
Does this dissolve in cold water? What about a liquid detergent.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It does! As long as you grate the soap small enough. Here’s a recipe for liquid, if you prefer :-) https://onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/02/no-grate-homemade-laundry-soap.html
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I too have been using this recipe for close to three years. Being a family of two I only make about half at a time and mix it in a large 5 gallon bucket. I then store it in old containers that my protein powder comes in.And I also use mine in my HE machine with no problems at all.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Perfect! Thanks Laura :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use this same recipe, and yes, you can use it for whites and darks.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I don’t know what laundry type bar soaps that you have available, but I know people who use Zote. In my experience, Fels Naptha does a better job, and it’s available on Amazon.
I’ve used this detergent to wash my infant granddaughter’s clothes, and she hasn’t had any problems.
I hope that this helps!
Thanks Anita, I found fels naphtha on ebay but with high postage. I don’t want to buy from US only to get here and have to pay VAT on top of that.
I’ll have a look on Amazon.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Best.
I have bought Fels Naphtha at Walmart before and much cheaper…
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Do you know if this detergent will work for the High Efficiency Washer too? Thanks!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Yes! This is the recipe I use in my HE washer. I use 2 TBSP like she stated.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It sure does :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.it’s seems too be easy to make cant wait to try it Thank you for a good recipe!!!!!!! Where can I get a big jar to put it in?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I found mine at Michael’s. But I’ve seen them at Joann, Home Goods, Ross, Marshall ‘s , etc.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I got my jar at Walmart!!
I bought that one at Walmart for around $10 :-)
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