Are you looking for an easy and natural laundry detergent? If so, you’re in the right place! This DIY natural laundry detergent recipe is made with simple ingredients and ready to use in less than 5 minutes! All you need are 4 ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry or are inexpensive to buy. Add essential oils like lemon oil for a cleaning boost and whitening power!
Many household laundry detergents typically contain several ingredients that pose developmental and reproductive (hormone disrupting) toxicity, can cause respiratory issues and, of course, are incredibly harmful if a small child accidentally ingested them!
Learn how to make an all-natural, environmentally friendly laundry detergent! It’s easy to use and as an added bonus, can save lots of money, too! Ours works out to about $.08 per load. The least expensive laundry detergent we found on the store shelves came to $.14/load, while most pods start at $.31/load.
Need help with cleaning? Check out The Sleep Deprived Mom’s Guide to Cleaning in Her Sleep
Why Make Natural Laundry Detergent At Home?
There are several reasons why making natural laundry detergent at home is a good idea. For one thing, you control what goes into your product. If you have kids or pets, that’s important because many commercial detergents contain toxic chemicals that can be harmful to humans and animals.
Making it yourself allows you to use safe ingredients like washing soda (sodium carbonate) instead of sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), which is classified as a moderate human health hazard.
Another reason to make your own laundry detergent at home is that doing so is often a much cheaper option. Breaking down the cost, our homemade natural laundry detergent comes in at half the cost of the LEAST expensive detergent we found on the store shelves and 1/4 the cost of laundry pods! That’s a big difference!
700 million plastic jugs of laundry detergent are consumed and thrown away each year in the United States. And about 70% of those end up in landfills, while the EPA estimates that only 30% are recycled.
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Simple and Safe Ingredients for Homemade Natural Laundry Powder
Use simple ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry! This recipe calls for Sea Salt, Baking Soda, Washing Soda (aka soda ash), and Epsom Salt. Avoid ingredients that are both toxic and/or expensive like premade detergents.
Baking Soda – Use 1.5 cups of baking soda as it is a natural softener.
Washing Soda (which is NOT baking soda) – Use 1.5 cups of washing soda. Here is a recipe for making washing soda out of baking soda, though I find it easier to just order it on Amazon!
Washing soda, aka sodium carbonate (or soda ash), is a natural cleaner and a powerful water softener. It’s very basic with a pH of 11. The Environmental Working Group gives it an “A” on their scale, so it passes with flying colors, making it safe and non-toxic.
nature’s nurture
Sea Salt – Use 1/4 C to soften.
Epsom Salt – Use 1/2 C to clean and freshen.
What Ingredients to AVOID in Natural Laundry Detergent
For one, most ingredients that you can’t pronounce should probably be avoided.
I highly recommend checking out the Environmental Working Group’s interactive database to check the safety of the household products you use and see how they rank! You may be surprised. In fact, a few of the typical ingredients used in homemade laundry detergents aren’t the safest!
Borax received a D. Though it is a naturally occurring ingredient, it received a D due to the high concern for developmental & reproductive toxicity.
Fels-Naptha, another very common ingredient in many DIY laundry detergents, received a C. This was mainly due to terpene hydrocarbons (can cause irritation, may cause cancer, and harm aquatic life). As well as tetrasodium etidronate (there’s evidence of biodegradation).
The ingredients we use – baking soda, washing soda, and Epsom salt – all earn an A!
Also make sure to save our DIY STREAK FREE Glass Cleaner & Stainless Steel Cleaner with Essential Oils recipe!
4) Add Essential Oils if Desired
Infuse homemade natural laundry detergent with essential oils for a natural boost to get clothes clean! And it adds a therapeutic scent. Lemon Oil is my favorite choice for its brightening power. But I don’t always stop there, many other oils work well too. Consider Eucalyptus Oil, Peppermint, Lavender, or even a mix of other citrus oils.
Another great essential oil option is Shield Oil, which contains Lemon Oil and a highly sanitizing mix of other essential oils for a purifying boost!
Again, you can choose whatever scent you want! Just add 25 drops of essential oils to your natural laundry detergent to keep clothes fresh!
Essential Oils Not Safe for Kids and Options Every Mom Needs to Know
3) The Soap
DIY Natural Laundry Detergent
A simple DIY natural laundry detergent made without using bar soap!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Epsom Salt
- 1 1/2 cups Sodium Bicarbonate (baking soda)
- 1 1/2 cups Sodium Carbonate (washing soda)
- 1/4 cup Sea Salt
- 20-25 drops Essential Oils (optional)
Instructions
- Simply mix all ingredients well, making sure to incorporate essential oils, if using, and blend in any clumps.
- Store in glass jar of choice with a lid.
- Use 1 heaping tablespoons per load (2 for extra soiled or extremely large loads).
Most Popular Essential Oil Posts!
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Easy Recipe for The Best Homemade Playdough with Essential Oils for Calming by top Florida lifestyle blogger Tabitha Blue of Fresh Mommy Blog. Change the colors and cookie cutters for any holiday. This pink is perfect for Valentine's Day or Easter!
Misty says
Love the smell every time I use it, however my husband’s gym towel and workout clothes still smell terrible. Plus our theme park clothes still smelled like sunscreen. Anything I can add to help with tough odors?
Tabitha Blue says
You could try adding OxyClean or another oxygen cleaner to the load, and also I would use vinegar as well! The vinegar smell doesn’t stay on clothing, but it does help to get rid of odors.
Misty says
Thank you! I tried adding oxyclean and vinegar but they still smell plus make the whole load stink. I have to wash them 2x and add borax to get them not to stink.
Katie R says
Is the detergent safe for HE washer?
GG says
I fell in love with the soap. Gifted many containers of it. But now it’s ruining my clothes. Why? They’re looking faded and have white patches
Tabitha Blue says
I’m so sorry to hear that! Are you adding essential oils? Lemon could be a natural whitener, I would reduce the amount of that or the amount of Epsom salt to test it.
Bill says
I had the same problem with my gym clothes. The fibers are so tigh that they trap bacteria and develop odours. What I do is soak smelly gym clothes in white vinegar for 24-36 hours and the wash them. It has been a game changer it takes the odours away and keeps them away for a long time. Also do not use fabric softener with athletic garments.
Hope I helped.
Melinda says
Is it okay to add vinegar when washing?
Tabitha Blue says
YES!
Kelly says
Hi,
I have a front loader machine. Do I add this into the drum or the drawer of the machine?
Tabitha Blue says
I would put it right in with the clothes. Let me know how that works for you!
Lori Bussell says
Hi there, I’m wondering if using scented Epsom salts is okay? Dr Teals or any brand? This will add scent without the extra ingredient and time to blend well.
Tabitha Blue says
I think that could be a great option! It isn’t one I’ve tried, but I’d love to hear more if you do!
Carly Jean says
Hi, Lori!
I had the same idea and used the eucalyptus spearmint scented epsom salt you mentioned. It works great. After only one wash, I immediately noticed how much softer my clothes felt. I recommend using a cheap blender to mix everything into a super fine powder. This ensures there is no white residue left behind in cold washes.
Thank you, Tabitha, for a great recipe!
Tabitha Blue says
Great idea with the blender! Thanks for sharing!
Nina says
Great recipe! However my powder becomes very wet and damp half way through… it almost becomes a paste. What can I do to ensure it stays powdery?
lisa-kay Blome says
Add a piece of bread on top. Draws out the moisture 😉
Annie says
Love this idea, however this recipe cakes up in the drawer (front loader) and doesn’t dissolve very well so the clothes don’t get the full benefit of it’s cleaning potential. I used both tap cold and warm water settings and tried dissolving the the powder before putting into the drawer and still ended up with the same outcome. Bummer.
Here is what I used: Dr Teals Lavender Epsom Salts, Arm & Hammer Laundry Booster (sodium carbonate), Baking Soda, Sea Salt ( fine grain).
I don’t want to give up on this 😉
What to do? what to do?
In appreciation of your help ~ Annie
Tabitha Blue says
Hi Annie, try adding it right to the washer itself, with the clothes. I don’t use the drawers or detergent feeders. Hope that helps!
Payton says
This stuff is a serious miracle worker — and it couldn’t be easier or more affordable to make! The first load I tried with it had a towel with lots of ink stains. When the load was done, I couldn’t tell which towel had had the ink all over it save for 2 tiny spots. We are so excited to use it for all our laundry, especially our baby’s! Thank for this Tabitha.
Mel says
This laundry detergent is amazing! I’ve been using it for a month now, and it always delivers outstanding results. I’ve found that when washing white clothes, adding a cup of white vinegar ensures they come out clean and completely stain-free. Thank you so much!
Tiffany Caldwell says
Where is that detergent jar from? It’s need one that’s a side opening one since my cabinet is above. Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Tabitha Blue says
I believe we found it at Target! I spray painted the lid to make it match more with my laundry room. 🙂
Dorothy Grace Barrow says
Is this safe to use in front loading machines?