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Homemade laundry detergent is easy to make, cost-effective, customizable, and gentle on both your clothes and skin. It is much safer for the environment, too!
The laundry room is a great place to simplify! So many of us have far too many products in various fragrances for various uses! Making your own natural laundry detergent is an easy, cost-effective, and eco-friendly alternative that works wonders on your clothes while giving you peace of mind.
Why To Choose Homemade Laundry Detergent
Have you ever wondered what’s really in your laundry detergent? Many commercial options are packed with synthetic perfumes and chemicals that can irritate your skin, harm the environment, and cost a pretty penny.
Remember that the skin absorbs everything we put on it, and this is just as true of chemical products in laundry detergents and fabric softeners. Making your own homemade laundry detergent is:
- Eco-Friendly: Skip the plastic packaging and harsh chemicals.
- Affordable: A single batch costs less and lasts longer.
- Skin-Friendly: Perfect for sensitive skin, thanks to all-natural ingredients.
- Customizable: Create a scent that matches your style using essential oils.
My whole life, I have struggled with terrible allergies and sensitivities. Over the years, I have tried to minimize the amount of exposure to chemical products, synthetic fragrances, preservatives, bleaching agents, and harmful phosphates as possible.
Non Toxic Laundry Powder
This recipe is a natural, perfume-free, hypoallergenic detergent and uses simple, natural ingredients like Epsom salt, baking soda, washing soda, and sea salt. You can also add a few drops of essential oils for a custom scent that makes your laundry smell heavenly.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Epsom salt: Softens fabrics and reduces static.
- 1 cup sodium bicarbonate (baking soda): Neutralizes odors and gently cleans.
- 1 cup sodium carbonate (washing soda): Boosts cleaning power and removes stains.
- ½ cup Borax: Helps brighten colors and soften water.
- 10–20 drops of essential oil (optional): Add a fresh scent. Lavender, lemon, or tea tree are great options.
Optional
1 cup flaked soap, Castile or Marseille (pure)
Instructions
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine Epsom salt, baking soda, washing soda, and Borax. Stir well to ensure everything is evenly distributed.
Optional – Grate the Castile or Marseille soap and add at this point. I have also used a food processor as a quick method to grate the soap.
Add Essential Oils (Optional):
If you’re using essential oils, add 10–20 drops to the mixture. Stir thoroughly to disperse the oils evenly.
Use It: For regular loads, use 2–3 tablespoons of detergent.
For heavily soiled loads, use up to 4 tablespoons.
Add the detergent directly to the drum or detergent dispenser of your washing machine.
Shop Supplies To Make Homemade Laundry Detergent
I have sourced all the ecological laundry detergent supplies to help you find the supplies to make your laundry powder. You can find everything from essential oils to marseille soap in the online shop.
Store Your Homemade Detergent
Transfer the mixture to an airtight container, like a glass jar with a lid. Label it for easy identification. The mixture will not expire or lose effectiveness unless it is exposed to moisture.
Stain Removal
Marseille soap works miracles if you have a tough stain that won’t come out!
Simply soak the stain with water and rub the Marseille soap into the garment. On strong fabrics, you can scrub the area with a natural bristled scrub brush, too! Then, simply watch the stain disappear.
Beware of imitations: real Marseille soap is made with olive oil, not palm oil (which is bad for the environment).
Natural Fabric Softener
Of all the laundry products out there, softeners contain the most chemicals! Homemade scented fabric softener is a simple, natural alternative to store-bought options that leave your clothes feeling soft and smelling amazing.
You can make it by mixing 1 cup of white vinegar with 10–15 drops of your favorite essential oil, such as lavender, eucalyptus, or citrus, in a reusable bottle. The vinegar softens fabrics, reduces static, and removes odors, while the essential oils add a light, fresh scent.
To use, simply add ½ cup of the mixture to your washing machine’s fabric softener compartment or directly to the rinse cycle.
For Bright Whites
Try using sodium percarbonate to make your whites even brighter! Add 1-2 tablespoons for each liter of hot water and soak your stained or discolored fabrics for 24 hours. Then wash as normal!
If you have linen in your home, try using some of these tried and true methods for washing and keeping them bright white.
Deb’s Tips
- Hard Water Hack: If you have hard water, add ½ cup of white vinegar to the fabric softener compartment to prevent mineral buildup.
- Custom Scents: Create blends with your favorite essential oils. Try lavender and eucalyptus for a calming aroma or lemon and rosemary for a fresh, clean scent.
- Test First: Always test on a small section of fabric if you’re unsure about your detergent’s effect on delicate items.
Ingredients To Avoid
When choosing or making DIY laundry detergent, avoid ingredients like synthetic fragrances, which can irritate skin and cause allergies, and harsh chemicals like sulfates and phosphates, which can harm the environment.
Also, steer clear of chlorine bleach, as it can be toxic if not used carefully, and optical brighteners, which don’t actually clean clothes but leave behind chemicals that can irritate sensitive skin.
Switching to homemade laundry detergent is a simple way to make your home greener while keeping your laundry routine affordable and effective. Give it a try, and you might never go back to store-bought detergents!
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Homemade Laundry Detergent
Equipment
- 1 glass container or bowl with a lid
Materials
- 1 cup Epsom salt
- 1 cup sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
- 1 cup sodium carbonate (washing soda)
- 1/2 cup Borax
Optional
- 10 drops essential oil
- 1 cup Castile or Marseille Soap (pure) flaked
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine Epsom salt, baking soda, washing soda, and Borax. Stir thoroughly to ensure the ingredients are evenly blended..
- If desired, add 10–20 drops of your favorite essential oils to the mixture. Stir well to evenly distribute the scent.
- Add the detergent directly to the washing machine drum or detergent dispenser and enjoy. For the amounts to use, see the notes below.
