When I started my blog fourteen years ago, I wrote a post about making homemade DIY laundry detergent. Some people may call it laundry soap; you get the idea either way. Remember, you’ll always use less because there is no filler. DO NOT use a big scoop like the detergents with fillers.
I had a friend teach me how to make it years ago, and that’s how I wrote that original post. I updated this post to show my readers how to make it. Let me know if you make your own detergent and what ingredients you use. In case you missed this post, How To Make Emergency Washing Machines
I highly recommend a Lavario Portable Washing Machine (currently out of stock)
Here is another option for washing clothes after a disaster: Portable Washing Machine
What I love about this homemade laundry detergent recipe is that you can make as little or as much as you want whenever you want. Yes, I stockpile the ingredients. Be sure to check your clothing to ensure it is, in fact, washable and not dry-cleanable only.
Dry DIY Laundry Detergent Over Liquid Laundry Soap
It’s easy to make laundry detergent, it is. I prefer the dry over the liquid because I’m one of those chicks who likes to be prepared for the unexpected, and we all need to do laundry.
Yep, I will probably never run out of the stuff. I have several years stored in a closet in five-gallon buckets. I couldn’t do that with liquid detergent.
I use only 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of laundry detergent in my front-loading high-efficiency (HE) washing machine. This is my second or third HE washer. I don’t think I could go back to a top-loader unit.
I started using one tablespoon, but I got the same results with half of that, so now it costs me even less. I have to love the savings, and it does a great job cleaning my clothes!
Grater And Blender
You can make this stuff with a cheese grater and a blender. Some people say it makes their cheese grater or blender smell like soap. When I’m done, I soak them in a bit of bleach or white vinegar, then rinse them with really hot water, and that works out great for me since I don’t taste or smell detergent on the tools.
Then I wash the items to remove any bleach residue. This year, I used my Nutri Blender to blend the ingredients instead of my Bosch blender. I used a Vegetable Grater to shred the bars of soap. You can also use a cheese grater; just be careful while grating to avoid injuring your fingers.
You must let your blender of choice cool down between batches because it may overheat. I waited about an hour and returned and made a few more batches to fill the gallon container. You could also use mason jars, but I chose this glass jar. One Gallon Jar
DIY Laundry Detergent
Here’s the deal: you don’t have to invest a lot of money in equipment to make your own laundry detergent. I make it in large quantities to share with my daughters. You can use a salad shooter or just a plain grater to grate the bars of soap.
Any blender will work as long as you ensure it doesn’t overheat. I love the scent of Fels-Naptha bars, but I have also seen people using Castile soap bars. I think it’s just a personal preference. I stick with the Fels since I’ve had such a good experience with the job it does; my clothes come out clean and smell so fresh without having to add essential oils or harsh chemicals.
On Facebook, I’ve noticed families getting together on a weeknight to make their DIY laundry detergent together. What a great idea! I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! Saving money is a massive thing for all of us! My friend, Deborah, uses Wool Dryer Balls.
In case you missed this post, 15 Ways to Clean Your Home with Borax
Kitchen Items You May Need:
- Blender
- Cheese Grater
- Containers (to store the detergent)
- Electric Grater
DIY Laundry Detergent Ingredients
- Fels-Naptha Bar or Zote Bar Soap
- Borax Detergent Booster
- Super Washing Soda (not regular baking soda)
- Laundry Soap Kit
- Gain Booster Beads (optional, to each load for fragrance)
DIY Laundry Detergent Recipe
Step One: Gather Your Ingredients
The first thing I like to do is gather all the ingredients; this recipe only has three. I love it! I understand you can use different bars of soap, like Castile soap, but I’ve only used Fels-Naptha bars because I’ve learned over the years that they work. I used one 65-ounce box of Borax, one 55-ounce box of Washing Soda, and 5-6 bars of Fels-Naptha to fill the one-gallon jar.
Step Two: Prepare Soap for Grater/Shredder
Because I’m using my electric salad vegetable grater, I cut the bar of soap in half lengthwise so it fits inside the top of the grater. Here, you can see one cup of Borax and one cup of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda.
Step Three: Grate or Shred the Soap Bars
It’s easy to use my Presto Salad/Vegetable shredder. Mark and I have grated many bars of soap by hand, so I don’t think you need fancy equipment to make it.
Step Four: Grind Ingredients Together
Because the soap powder is thick, I “grind” a half batch at a time to keep my unit from overheating. So, you can see below 1/2 bar of soap, 1/2 cup of Borax, and 1/2 cup of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda. Then, after mixing that batch, I started mixing the other half of the recipe. Yes, it takes two steps, but both I and my equipment stay sharp.
Step Five: Store Detergent in Container
This picture shows how much ONE batch of my own homemade laundry soap recipe filled the one-gallon jar. You can fill mason quart jars, or even pint jars if you want, depending on your storage space and how easy it is for you to lift them. Because you use so little detergent per load of laundry, it lasts much longer than store-bought detergent.
Finished Product
Homemade Laundry Laundry Recipe
DIY Laundry Detergent/Soap
Ingredients
- 1 bar Fels-Naptha Soap-grated either by hand, food processor, or salad shooter
- 1 cup Borax Detergent Booster
- 1 cup Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda (not regular baking soda)
Instructions
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Grate the bar of soap by hand, or use an electric vegetable grater.
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Put these 3 ingredients in a blender to blend.
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After doing this, it will look just like the store-purchased detergent, but will not include all the “fillers."
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You will use less product per load and will have fewer “soap bubbles."
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Remember, just having bubbles doesn’t mean clean. I use 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per load, depending on the size of the load.
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I have a HE-High Efficiency washer, and it works great in regular washing machines as well.
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Store the finished product in an airtight container, preferably glass to keep it dry.
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I store some in 5-gallon buckets, but I don't live where it's humid. Just giving you the heads up.
Is Borax Laundry Booster Safe For Washing Clothes?
Borax Laundry Booster is generally considered safe for washing clothes when used as directed. It’s a naturally occurring mineral compound (sodium tetraborate) that has been used as a laundry aid for over 100 years. When added to your wash cycle, borax softens hard water, boosts detergent effectiveness, and helps neutralize odors and remove stains. It dissolves completely in water, meaning it rinses out of fabrics thoroughly and doesn’t leave a harmful residue on your clothing.
Borax is safe for most washable fabrics, including cotton, synthetics, and blends, and is gentle enough that it won’t cause damage or significant fading when used in recommended amounts, typically about half a cup per load. It is also free of phosphates and chlorine bleach, making it a milder alternative to harsher laundry additives. As with any cleaning product, it’s advisable to keep it out of reach of children and avoid direct skin contact in its dry powder form, but once diluted in a full load of wash water, it poses no meaningful risk to your garments or to most people’s skin.
Is Arm & Hammer Laundry Booster Super Washing Soda Safe For Clothes?
Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda is generally considered safe for washing clothes when used as directed. It’s a natural mineral compound (sodium carbonate) that has been a trusted laundry booster for generations, made from the same basic elements found in baking soda but with a stronger alkaline formula. When added to your wash cycle, Super Washing Soda softens hard water, cuts through grease and grime, and boosts the cleaning power of your regular laundry detergent, allowing it to work more effectively.
It dissolves well in water and rinses cleanly from fabrics, leaving no harmful residue on your clothing. Super Washing Soda is safe for most standard washable fabrics, including cotton, linen, and synthetic blends, and is particularly effective at tackling tough stains and odors. It contains no phosphates, bleach, or added fragrances, making it a straightforward and relatively mild laundry additive compared to harsher chemical boosters. One thing to keep in mind is that, due to its higher alkalinity, it is best to avoid using it on delicate fabrics such as wool, silk, or anything labeled “dry clean only,” as it may damage those fibers. When used on appropriate fabrics, Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda is a safe, effective, and affordable way to enhance your laundry routine.
Is Fels Naptha Safe For Washing Clothes?
Fels-Naptha is generally considered safe for washing clothes when used as directed and has been a trusted laundry soap bar in American households for decades. It’s a heavy-duty bar soap formulated for laundry, designed to serve as both a stain pre-treatment and a direct wash agent. When used as a pre-treater, you simply wet the bar and rub it directly onto stained areas of fabric before laundering, allowing its powerful cleaning agents to break down grease, oil, grass stains, ring-around-the-collar, and other tough spots. Fels-Naptha rinses out cleanly during the wash cycle, leaving no harmful soap residue on your garments. It’s safe for most common washable fabrics, including cotton, polyester, and blended materials, and is particularly well-regarded for its ability to remove stubborn stains that regular detergent alone might struggle to remove.
It’s also a popular ingredient in homemade laundry detergent recipes, where it’s grated and combined with washing soda and borax for a cost-effective DIY cleaning solution. It’s worth noting that Fels-Naptha is not recommended for delicate fabrics such as wool or silk, and individuals with very sensitive skin may want to wear gloves when handling the bar directly, as its strong cleaning formula can be drying. However, when used on appropriate fabrics and rinsed thoroughly in the wash, Fels-Naptha is a safe, reliable, and highly effective laundry treatment that has stood the test of time.
How many boxes of Borax, Super Washing Soda, and Fels-Naptha soap bars fill a one-gallon jar?
This is a little tricky, and I used one box of Borax, one box of Super Washing Soda, and 5 bars of Fels-Naptha soap. I had a little bit of the product left in each box. I’ll save it for the next batch. It will never be an even number of boxes and soap bars to fill a one-gallon jar.
How do I store these products in a humid area?
I highly recommend storing the detergent, Borax, and Super Washing Soda in airtight glass containers.
How do I store Borax if I live in a humid area?
This is an excellent question because humidity causes havoc with borax. Over time, it’ll become clumpy or even like a total brick. I highly recommend storing your borax in an airtight container filled with detergent or using mason jars.
Final Word
Please let me know if you’ve tried making my DIY Laundry Detergent; I would love to hear from you. We know how much everything has gone up in price, right? If you’re like me, you’re willing to try new things that save money while delivering the same or better quality results.
Well, the ingredients I used today have gone up as well. This recipe uses so little detergent/soap per laundry batch that I still save money. May God bless this world, Linda
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