Have you ever thought about making homemade laundry detergent? This DIY recipe will save you hundreds over the course of a year (Plus it smells great!)
Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe
If you've ever thought about making your own laundry detergent – you might have started looking at all the different recipes out there and got overwhelmed.
But look no further – this is the BEST recipe for DIY Laundry Detergent and it's SO EASY to make! Plus? It will last most families an entire year…. so you only need to make it once and it will go a LONG way.
Here's why this is the best homemade laundry soap you can whip up:
- IT SAVES MONEY – Costs about $20 for a 1-Year Supply
- IT SMELLS GOOD – You can leave out the scent beads if you want – but for me, having my clean laundry smell amazing is one of my happies in life!
- IT'S EASY TO MAKE – 6 simple ingredients, and you don't need a food processor or anything.
- IT WORKS REALLY WELL – even in Cold Water wash, for front loaders, or HE washing machines!
How to Make Homemade Laundry Detergent
Here's how to make your own laundry detergent for a fraction of the cost of store laundry aisle brands.
There are two different recipes for homemade detergent you can make – powder or liquid. Both use the same basic ingredients, but the liquid laundry detergent takes longer to make. I decided to go with the powder simply because it's easier to make!
I also like the option to add scent beads to the powder so I can customize each batch with a smell I love. (You can TOTALLY leave out the scent booster if you have extra sensitive skin or want to keep it more natural!)
Supplies for Homemade Laundry Detergent:
- Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda or HERE (55 oz. Box)
- 20 Mule Team Borax (4 lbs 12 oz. Box)
- Pure Baking Soda (4 lbs)
- Fels-Naptha Soap (3 Bars)
- Oxi-Clean Stain Remover Powder (1.3 lb Tub)
- *Optional – Downy Unstoppables 26.9 oz (For a cheaper option use Arm & Hammer or Purex Crystals)
Directions:
First, you want to crumble the soap into powder. To do that you'll first microwave it and make it big and puffy – then it crumbles really easily! (You can also grate the bar of soap, or if you have a food processor, you can use that).
Add to all the other ingredients and mix well. Store in an airtight container. Use 1 Tbsp per load or 2 Tbsp for heavily soiled clothes.
Does Homemade Laundry Detergent Save Money?
If you picked up all your ingredients from the Amazon links provided, your upfront cost will be a little high (because you're buying in bulk in some of those links), but keep in mind that each box of washing soda and borax will make many, many batches of detergent!
If you pick up your supplies at Walmart & Amazon – this will be your out of pocket cost:
- Fels-Naptha Bar Soap – 88¢ x 3 Bars – $2.64 at Amazon
- Arm & Hammer Washing Soda 55 oz – $4.12 at Walmart
- 20 Mule Team Natural Laundry Booster, Borax – $3.28 per box on Amazon
- Arm & Hammer Baking Soda – $2.48 at Walmart
- Oxy Clean Stain Remover – $4.38 at Walmart
- Scent Beads – From $4.80 – $15 (Totally depends on which kind you decide to buy)
Total Cost = $21.70 for about 18 lbs of Laundry Detergent (WOWZA!)
That's about 504 Tablespoons – or 504 loads! That's enough to do 7-10 loads per week for a whole year 🙂
Considering Tide Powder is 20¢/Load – or a Tide Pod is 25¢ per load – this homemade laundry detergent is a great way to save money!
Also check out these frugal posts:
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Does this dissolve well in cold water? I have shied away from powder detergents because of this. Thanks.
Hi Lisa, we feel like it works pretty well in cold water but I can see why that might be an issue for you. Let us know if you try it and how it does in your machine!
Is this soap safe to use with bleach? I usually add a little bleach to my dirty towels.
Do you have to use the Fels Naptha soap. We can only use pink dove due to skin issues
Hi Carla, we haven’t tried it with another type but if it will crumble the same way, I would assume any type would work. If you try it, be sure to let us know how it goes!!
We use Zote soap it is often found in Mexican stores it’s really good on whites and my daughter has really bad eczema and we haven’t had any problems.
How much of the Zote soap flakes do you use instead of the Fels Naptha soap? I Just looked on Amazon and they have a 17.6 oz box of Zote flakes. Do you add one box to this recipe?
Zote also comes in bar form.
Good to know Marcie! 🙂
I use Dr. Bonner soap and grate in food processor
So simple. So fresh. Definitely should have read about microwaving the soap before I got to the third bar; it was a game changer. I did run it through the food processor just to see what it would look like (plus I own one and never use it) but I didn’t have to. My only hesitation is accepting that 1 tablespoon will clean my laundry. I cannot fathom that. But I will try it out.
I made this recipe, maybe a silly question but I have a front loader, where do you put this powder detergent? In the washer basin or the soap dispenser?
Last time I used this recipe I put it in the top soap dispenser with the little door opened as if you were using a powdered detergent.
Please do not put Fels Naptha soap in the microwave. It left a film on the inside of the microwave and was very difficult to clean! Also my microwave smelled like that soap for a long time afterwards.
Oh no Liz! Thanks a bunch for your feedback!
I love this recipe, but I use Jabon soap flakes instead of Fels Naptha. I can get it on Walmart.com. I use one whole box of the soap flakes!
Great suggestion Denise!
I like this idea so much more !! I don’t want soap in the microwave
How can I stop this soap from leaving a powder residue? Also, even though I microwaved and crumbled the bar soap I can’t get it to dissolve even in hot water! Please help!
You can get Fels Naptha already shredded on Amazon. I use it.
I microwave an old coffee cup with a cup of water for 1 to 2 minutes then add the tablespoon of prepared laundry soap and melt it before adding to my washing machine.
great idea Mary Kaye!
I have taken to pretty hot tap water in a jar with a lid and shake it but I still can’t get it all to dissolve.
I have the same question about residue being left on dark clothes.
Does anyone know the amount of oxy-clean in the listed container? I bought a larger oxy-clean from Costco so I have no idea how much to add for this recipe.
The recipe calls for the 1.3 lb tub Melissa! (Maybe 2.5 – 3 cups?)
I use the same ingredients but instead of 3 bars, I use 2 bars of Fels Nappa and 2 bars of Zote. I made a batch today and split it in half as I wanted to try different scents beads. This laundry soap clean great and is super affordable.
Love that Mary ~ thanks so much for your feedback! 🙂
Hello!
I am super excited about making my own detergent! However, I wanted to see if I could leave out the Fels Naptha and Borax? Would this compromise the way that it thoroughly cleans and sanitizes?
Thanks!
I have been making this homemade laundry soap recipe, minus the scent boosters, since 2006 and LOVE it! I have used it in both a top load and HE front load machine with great success. I unwrap the fels naphtha soap bars a good month beforehand. This allows them to dry out and grate into a fine powder with ease. I dump the ingredients into a tall kitchen trash bag, knot it and roll it around to mix it up. The bag contains the dust from the powders. My friend double bags hers incase the bag tears, but I haven’t had any issues using one bag. I add vinegar in the final rinse cycle and my laundry always looks great!
What size jar do you store it in?
Hi Zelda! The pictures in the post have it stored in a one-gallon glass jar, but you can use whatever you’d like ~ hope that helps! 🙂
I bought two 1 gallon containers off Amazon and it filled both of them- almost to the top.
I used empty coffee creamer containers, I removed the label, rinsed and air dry, they have a pour spout, so perfect for the homemade laundry detergent
Question: I’m an avid powdered Tide user. Mostly because my son is a baseball player and that’s the only detergent I find that truly gets stains out. Plus I use it on my floors to clean since it lifts dirt so well. Can anyone compare this with powdered Tide and tough stains and lifts dirt?
Thank you!!!
Is it safe to use in a HE washer?
Yes, as it is low suds. Works wonders in our HE washer.
I wouldn’t use this. It’s soap, not detergent. Soap leaves a film on your clothing just as it leaves a film on anything. Dirt and body oils stick to it and your clothes will begin to take on a dingy appearance. Worst of all, that film builds up in your washer and even your dryer…
Does the Fels Naptha soap really leave a film on yor clothes and washer?? I was going to do this, but now I am hesitating.
I leave it out and am lovin this. Remember these items have been around for over 50 yrs. They are safe. I just dont add the bar soap
Felphs Napa is a laundry soap bar.. Zote is another laundry soap bar. Both will be found in your laundry detergent sections and not body wash soap section.
I have used this recipe for two years and have NOT experienced buildup. Instead of Fels Naptha, I use Zote flakes. I also use wood dryer balls in my dryer.
I made my first batch about 5 months ago. I LOVE IT. My husband is a self employed Lanscaper and handyman. Some things he puts in the wash needed new names for the dirt stains and smells lol. I use this but put 3 tablespoons for a large load. It is not soapy nor does it leave a film. It actually supercleans everything. Leaves an amazing smell. I do not put in the soap bars though.
The reason is because it is known to cause cancer if you read up on it.
I would though recommend this. I also have a 10 yr. Old boy. It has saved me so much money and it has extended the life of my clothes to include my sheets blankets etc.
Actually according to this web site-
https://www.google.com/amp/s/joynealkidney.com/2020/09/30/fels-naptha-laundry-bar-soap/amp/ –
They removed the ingredient that had been known to cause cancer.
I love homemade detergent! I make mine without the Unstoppables and I don’t add in Oxyclean, haven’t needed to really. I love how cost effective it is and so easy to make!
I haven’t tried it yet but I would like to my question is how does it work with kids that have skin allergy to a lot of detergents
Hmm, since the recipe does call for several items that have scents, it might not be the best option for kiddos with sensitive skin – though you might be able to substitute with unscented items! Or there are probably some other great homemade soap recipes online that are more specifically geared towards those with sensitive skin Shauna! 🙂 Hoping you find one that works great for your family!
I agree but i love the smell and the way oxyclean brightens it all up
Hi Shauna! My fiance has sensitive skin and I make a very similar recipe as Laurie. I just leave out a few of the ingredients and he hasnt had any problems with it irritating skin.
I use just 3 ingredients botox, washing soda, and bar soap (any will work). My local walmart is always out of felsnaptha (sp?) So I started using ivory soap. It smells good and non irritating. I’ve also used homemade soap from a local shop in my town.
I make smaller batches but you can make it as large or small as you need. My recipe is below. You can add oxiclean in ad well for stains and such.
1c botox
1c washing soda
1 bar of soap grated.
Sensitive skin it the reason I started making my own. I leave the sent boater out and use Zote White flakes instead of the Naptha. I have used it for about 8 years and will not go back to buying detergent.
What do you use for fabric softener? And do you use dry sheets?
Hi Sarah, if you use fabric softener in your mixture then you don’t need the dryer sheets. We love the way it makes the clothes smell but you don’t have to include those. The recipe will work perfectly without them!
Thank you
What does everyone store their detergent in? How big of a container? Looking for ideas. Thanks!
I was wondering the same thing.
Yes what size container
Hi ladies! The glass jar in the post is one gallon size (Walmart should have them!), but you can use whatever works best for you! 🙂
I double my recipe because I have 5 people in the house so I use a 5 gallon bucket. Then I fill the oxiclean tub for storage under my washer as easy access.
Good to know Shanna! 🙂
I’m wondering, too!
I used the same recipe and mine filled two 1 gallon containers.
Is this recipe safe to use in HE washers?
Yes it is!
Thank you! That was going to be my question as well. That is a condition of my lease.
I’ve made homemade laundry detergent for years. I’ve started noticing our whites are very dingy. I am going to try this recipe.
The one I was using is just three ingredients
Borax
Felt naptha
Washing soda.
This recipe has oxy clean. Gonna try it and see if it helps my whites.
Would love to hear your thoughts if you give it a try Christy! 🙂
I may try this, afer seeing your video, looks easy. I just added everything to Walmart cart for a total of $22.73! That’s using the Arm & Hammer In-Wash Scent Booster, Purifying Waters, 24 oz instead of Downy. Thanks for putting this together.
You might also want to try Mrs. Stewart’s Concentrated Liquid Bluing. I use it in my HE washer and my whites are sparkling white!! It’s non-toxic and Bio-Degradable! and it works every time, for me!
Hi! Do you add Mrs. Stewart’s separately, or use it as an ingredient when making the detergent?
Same with me, but I used the recipe with the oxyclean. Also, when I washed clothes in cold water, I would sometimes have to run through the Rinse & Spin Cycle because the fels naptha wouldn’t dissolve. I got frustrated and went back to store bought detergent.
I’ve been using this since March – when we got married and at the time had the two of us plus 7 kids in the house. The two oldest have moved out but still have 7 people in the house. This is awesome stuff!! I purchase the Fels at Publix – along with the other ingredients. My husband is the one who actually makes it. He halves the recipe for the liquid and even with all these people in the house, we’re only on our second batch.
Now for savings on fabric softener – I have a small container that I put in a small about of fabric softener and add water. I purchased some small, thin sponges at Dollar General (5 for $1) and let those soak in the mixture. When I need a ‘dryer sheet’ I squeeze a sponge until it’s not quite dripping and throw it in with the clothes. (If it’s an extra large load, I’ll used 2.) It works great! I’ve never had static cling and if you want more scent, just add more softener with less water. That one bottle of softener will last a long, long time!
Thanks so much for sharing Ginger! I haven’t tried it yet, but really need to. For fabric softener we use vinegar – but I never thought about the sponge idea. . . love that!
Did anyone see the Consumer Reports on using laundry detergent? The report showed little to no difference in the cleaning ability of detergents. They also stated on items that did not have any stains came just as clean without detergent. Makes you wonder why you paid for a high price detergent.
Jamie~ What is the recipe for LIQUID detergent?
Thanks,
Bridget
I love making my own detergent. I make the liquid version and have always used Fels Naptha. I didn’t know I could use Ivory! That makes it even cheaper, since Ivory can be had so cheaply with coupons — even free sometimes! Can Ivory in the liquid version, I wonder? HMM, maybe that’s why I never used it before. Anyway, I love the smell the Fels Naptha gives my detergent. I have been making detergent for over a year and am still using the same boxes of Borax and Washing Soda. I’ve gotten some detergent free with coupons here in the last 6 months, so it’s been a while since making my own. I won’t hesitate to do it again, when I need to, though. It seems like the powder is quick and easy to make; the liquid version only takes 10-15 minutes, but then it has to set for 24 hours before you can use it. I got my recipe from http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com.
Patti – Just treat it like regular detergent and put it in the dispenser. You only need about a tablespoon. (You can google it for exact info!). Kathy – The detergent leaves no scent on your clothes so I add a very small amount of fabric softener to the wash (for a scent!) and my clothes are just like I washed them with regular detergent. 🙂
Thanks Jaime for the info! I’ve never tried to make this but I think I’m going to once I run out of laundry detergent!
My concern is that you say your clothes aren’t as soft in comparison to using store bought detergent. I wonder if you could make a homemade batch but add it to your regular store bought detergent to “extend it’s life”? Hmmmm….I may have to try this.
Jamie, Do I put it in the dispenser or just add it to the clothes before I shut the door?
It’s great for HE washers! It is a very low sudsing soap so it is perfect for the front loaders!
So do you use this in an HE washer? If so, where do you put it?
That’s a great question Patti – I’ll send it to Greta to find out!
These are the same ingredients I use in the detergent that I have been making except I use Zote soap instead of the Fel Napha. I have used both and I prefer the Zotes. I cut mine into chunks and mix it up in batches in my food processor. I too love the smell and how it works in my top load washer. Zote soap is much cheaper at Walmart verses Amazon.
Good to know Karen ~ thanks so much for the suggestion! 🙂
I have been using homemade liquid detergent for almost 2 years. I am currently halfway through my 3rd batch (and I have 5 people in my house!). I spent $10 intitally (the 5 gallon bucket was the most expensive ingredient!) and I haven’t needed to buy anything else. I use about 1/4 a lid of fabric softener per load to give our clothes a little scent. It works great!
I just made my 3rd batch of liquid laundry detergent last week. It’s amazing and I love it! I use the Fels Naptha soap because of its stain fighting abilities (I have a 1yo and its insane the things she gets all over her clothes!) and I’m surprised at how little it costs to make. I’m still using my original boxes that I bought at my local publix!