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!
Servings: 75 loads
Cost: $3-$5
Equipment
- cheese grater (or food processor with grating blade)
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups
- Airtight storage container (quart-size or larger)
- Spoon for mixing
Ingredients
- 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.
