How to Make Your Own Powdered Laundry Detergent

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Store-bought laundry detergent can be pricey and full of chemicals you can’t even pronounce. But what if I told you that you could make your own for just pennies per load—without sacrificing cleanliness? This homemade laundry detergent recipe using Fels-Naptha is a tried-and-true method that’s been saving my readers money for years. If you want fresh, clean clothes without the unnecessary additives (and at a fraction of the price), you’re in the right place.

Why make your own laundry detergent? Well, if you’d asked me years ago, I would’ve laughed and pointed you straight to the brightly colored bottles lining the store shelves. I mean, who has time for that? But here’s the thing—those store-bought detergents aren’t just pricey; they’re packed with unnecessary additives, fillers, and fragrances that can be harsh on your skin and your wallet. Once I realized I was paying upwards of 50 cents a load for something I could make for pennies, my perspective shifted fast.

The real magic of homemade detergent isn’t just in the savings (though those are undeniable). It’s in the control. When you make your own, you know exactly what’s in it—no mystery chemicals, no unnecessary dyes, just simple, effective ingredients that get the job done. And let’s be real: if you could keep your clothes fresh and clean for a fraction of the cost, why wouldn’t you? Sure, this one change won’t singlehandedly transform your finances, but it’s a step in the right direction. And as I’ve learned, those small, smart choices add up in ways you never expect.

What You’ll Need to Make Homemade Laundry Detergent

Making your own powdered laundry detergent is simple, but you’ll need a few key ingredients. Here’s what to gather before you get started:

A Large Container with Lid

You’ll need something to store your detergent in—preferably a 32-ounce container or larger. An airtight container keeps everything fresh and easy to scoop.

Fels-Naptha (or a Substitute)

Fels-Naptha is my go-to laundry soap for this recipe, and you can find it in the laundry aisle of most supermarkets and Walmart. But if you prefer an alternative, you can swap it out for:

ZOTE: A popular option with a high cleaning power
Dr. Bronner’s Castile Bar: A natural, eco-friendly alternative
Ivory Soap: A mild, fragrance-free option.

Borax

Look for Twenty-Mule Team Borax (or any other brand) in the laundry aisle of your local supermarket, Walmart, or Target. Borax helps boost cleaning power and softens hard water, making it a key ingredient in homemade detergent.

Washing Soda (Sodium Carbonate)

Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda is the most well-known brand, but any washing soda (not to be confused with baking soda!) will work. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly or readily available alternative, soda ash—which is chemically the same thing—is another great option. It’s commonly found in pool supply stores, large department stores with pool maintenance sections, and online.

Laundry Detergent Dispenser - 70oz Scent Booster...

Save $1.40

Fels Naptha Laundry Soap Bar & Stain Remover...

Save $5.70

Borax 20 Mule Team Detergent Booster, 65 Oz

Save $0.61

ARM & HAMMER Super Washing Soda Household Cleaner...

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Fels-Naptha Laundry Detergent

Follow these simple steps to make your own budget-friendly, high-powered laundry detergent in no time.

Step 1: Grate the Soap

Grab a cheese grater (the fine side) and grate the entire bar of Fels-Naptha—or your preferred soap—into a fluffy pile. It may look like shredded cheese, but don’t be fooled! This is the secret ingredient to breaking down dirt and stains.

Pro tip: If you plan to make this regularly, a food processor with a grating attachment will make quick work of this step!

Step 2: Combine the Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine your freshly grated soap with 2 cups borax and 1 3/4 cups washing soda. If you’re doubling or tripling the batch, just keep the ratio consistent.

Step 3: Mix and Store

Stir everything together until well combined. Then, transfer your detergent to an airtight quart-size (or larger) container. If you’re feeling fancy, slap on a label so there’s no confusion—learn from my mistake before I snapped the photo!

How to Use Your Homemade Detergent

Use just 1 tablespoon per load—yes, really! This stuff is concentrated, so a little goes a long way. If you have a larger or heavily soiled load, you can bump it up to 1.5 or 2 tablespoons.

Pro Tip: This detergent stores well in powder form, but ingredients can settle over time. Give the container a good shake or stir before each use to keep everything evenly distributed.

And that’s it! Fresh, clean laundry at a fraction of the cost—without the unnecessary chemicals.

FAQs About Homemade Laundry Detergent

This recipes has, over the years, prompted many questions from my readers. What follows are those asked most frequently:

Which is better, the liquid or powdered version, and why?

That's a tough question because there are so many variables. I prefer the liquid version because my HE washer uses so little water, I find the powdered version doesn't dissolve well. That's why I recommend powder users to throw the powder into the washer itself (not the dispenser) first, before the clothes. Now it will get hit with water first, giving it more time to dissolve and get to work. The liquid version does involve a few more steps which is why some readers do prefer it.

Can I use homemade laundry detergent in HE washer?

Yes. Both this powdered and the liquid version are non-sudsing, even though they contain soap. What makes them HE-compatible is that the soap becomes highly diluted. Remember that this homemade detergent—either version—is not going to produce bubbles or suds. If you need that to be satisfied, you won't like these recipes! The proof for how well they work is in the dirty water you'll see. It's amazing that so little homemade detergent can produce such great results.

Won't borax, washing soda or Fels-Naptha void my washer's warranty?

Please consult your owner manual. While many manufacturers recommend a specific brand of detergent because they have marketing partnerships with major brands, I have yet to see where any warranty was put at risk in writing for using borax, washing soda, Fels-Naptha or another laundry bar soap in the machine. I've used all of those products including white vinegar (1 cup in the final rinse) by the gallon in my machines and have never had a repair issue, let alone warranty problem. However, please make this determination for yourself. I cannot guarantee your outcome.

Are these recipes fragrance-free?

Technically, no. Dawn does have some amount of fragrance as does Fels-Naptha. But again, compared to fragranced commercial brands of laundry detergent, it's minuscule. Remember the dilution with these recipes. You can substitute ZOTE laundry bar soap for the Fels-Naptha, which is all-natural and fragrance-free.

How much should I use per load?

Start with 1 tablespoon. And do not judge the outcome by the number of bubbles and suds you can observe during the wash cycle. Know now that you will see none.

Do I still need to pretreat stains, or will these recipes take care of that?

Absolutely, you need to pretreat stains. Without question. You have many very effective options: Dawn, Lestoil, Soilove, Fels-Naptha (dampen a corner of a Fels-Naptha bar and rub it into the stain). Treating stains ahead of time is another reason you can use so very little detergent in the wash load.

Why has this homemade detergent turned my white things gray and towels stiff and stinky?

Remember what I said about learning things the hard way? This is it. I know from experience that using too much detergent will make white things dingy, and towels and other items stiff, scratchy, and stinky too. The problem is the detergent you've added to the wash cycle was too much to get rinsed out fully. Detergents build up in fabrics and become breeding grounds for bacteria. Those bacteria and all that build-up of detergent create that grayish color and the stink, too.

Why should I bother to make my own laundry detergent?

Two reasons: You'll save a ton of money and you'll know what's in it. These days, many laundry detergents and softening products are laden with harsh chemicals and overpowering fragrance. And compared to the basic ingredients that go into them, they're expensive! Over the past 20 years, the price of ingredients for homemade detergent has pretty much held steady. I can still make my own for less than a nickel a wash load.

Can I use these recipes to wash clothes in cold water?

Yes. However, I prefer the liquid option with cold water as there is much less product that needs to get dissolved for the detergent to work well.

MORE: How to Make the Best Homemade Laundry Detergent—Liquid and Powdered

els naptha powdered laundry detergent recipe homemade diy

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4.65 from 17 votes

Homemade Powdered Laundry Detergent

Making your own laundry detergent is simple, affordable, and works great in both standard and HE washers. This tried-and-true recipe cleans effectively, avoids harsh chemicals, and costs less than 5 cents per load. Once you see how easy it is, you may never go back to store-bought!

Prep Time20

Total Time20

Category: Housekeeping, Laundry

Cuisine: Cleaning, Laundry

Yield: loads

Materials

1 bar Fels-Naptha (5 oz.) (or substitute with ZOTE, Dr. Bronner's Castile Bar, or Ivory)
2 cups borax (such as Twenty-Mule Team Borax)
1 ¾ cups washing soda (Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda or generic soda ash)

Instructions

Using the fine side of a cheese grater (or a food processor), grate the entire 5 oz. bar of Fels-Naptha into fine shreds.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the grated soap, borax, and washing soda. Stir well to ensure even distribution.
Transfer the mixture to an airtight container (quart-size or larger) and label it clearly. If you prefer a finer powder that dissolves more easily in cold water, pulse the mixture in a food processor—just be careful of the dust!
For regular loads: Use 1 tablespoon of detergent per wash load. For heavily soiled loads: Use 1.5 to 2 tablespoons as needed. HE washers: Add detergent directly into the drum before loading laundry (not the dispenser).

Notes

Borax Substitute: Some prefer to omit borax due to personal preferences or skin sensitivities. In this case, you can increase the washing soda to 3 ½ cups or add ½ cup baking soda for extra cleaning power.

Where to Buy: Borax and washing soda can be found in the laundry aisle at most supermarkets, Walmart, and Target. Soda ash (a cheaper alternative to washing soda) is available in pool supply stores or online.

Cold Water Washes: If using in cold water, consider blending the mixture into a fine powder to help it dissolve more quickly.

Storage Tip: Shake or stir the container before each use to keep ingredients evenly distributed.

Question: If you could only use one laundry product for the rest of your life—homemade or store-bought—what would it be and why? Share in the comments below.

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Lynn E says:

December 9, 2024 at 2:46 am

I LOVE THIS RECIPE! I also add oxiclean to the mix.

The other day my husband asked what I was doing differently with the laundry. I’ve said he noticed whites were brighter!

I got myself a tablespoon measure at a thrift store to make sure we were using the right amount

powdered detergent says:

August 29, 2023 at 5:12 am

Fels Naptha is 5oz (as you stated) the ZOTE is 14 oz.
Whether using ZOTE or Ivory you should measure out 5oz correct?

Mary Hunt says:
August 29, 2023 at 7:29 am

Yes. But this not being an exact science, I cut the the Zote bar in half, then proceed.

Nicea says:

July 20, 2023 at 5:53 pm

I have been using this for at least 15 years. I love it. I buy bars unwrap them for months before
I grate them. This gives me a powder from the bar that I much prefer.

Sarah Clark says:

April 4, 2023 at 5:46 pm

Thank you many times over for this wonderful recipe, Mary. I just made another batch after having made myself use up some Tide Free and Clear that I was gifted (next time I will re-gift). I much prefer this detergent I love the way it cleans my laundry—I also love the very faint scent and the low cost! And it lasts me a very long time.

Tiffany says:

December 3, 2022 at 4:41 pm

Have you ever used Dr. Bronner’s liquid soap? I say you mentioned the bar soap as a substitution, wondered if you’d experimented at all with the liquid. I have a big bottle with no particular use, would be cool to put into a use like this, or the liquid detergent, I suppose would make more sense.

Mary Hunt says:
December 3, 2022 at 7:53 pm

How to Use Dr. Bronners Castile Soap to Make Natural Cleaning Products

Sue says:

October 16, 2022 at 2:49 pm

Hi Mary, In wondering if everyone, like me, is having trouble finding Fels Napthas soap? I don’t think I want to pay over $8 for a single bar online, how cost effective would that be, right? So, what is the best alternative that you’ve found? I’ve not tried your liquid recipe to date. Thank you

Mary Hunt says:
October 16, 2022 at 2:56 pm

We’re living through weird times when things we take so for granted just up and disappear! Zote is another laundry bar soap that compares almost exactly to Fels Naptha. Take a look for that … I’ve seen it as variou dollar stores. Let us know!

Joanna says:

May 17, 2020 at 9:18 am

I make the powdered version of laundry soap. Using a butcher knife, I chop up the Fels Naptha into several pieces, put the pieces in my multi-bladed blender, and blend until the soap is the consistency of fine granules. Much faster than using a cheese grater!

Laura Brubaker says:

October 2, 2019 at 5:23 am

I have softened water and use about a 1/2 tsp of powdered detergent at most. I have an HE washing machine but have to do an extra rinse every time to ensure the detergent is rinsed out. Often my dark clothes were showing spots of laundry detergent stuck on them.

In an effort to get away from purchasing Tide, for example, do you think that using the liquid detergent you make would work well with my soft water? I’d really like to stop that extra rinse with every load!

Thank you,

Laura