It seems to me that there are only two reasons why someone would make their own homemade powdered laundry detergent. The most important, to me, is to reduce the use of chemicals and synthetic fragrances in my home. The second is to save money. And this recipe does both while doing a great job of cleaning as well.
Why Soap Free?
I’ve used other recipes for homemade laundry detergent, like the one in my post DIY Tallow Soap for Laundry. Here’s the thing. While that recipe does a nice job of cleaning clothes, I found that any recipe with soap as an ingredient tends to leave a build-up on our clothes over time. I’m not saying that I’m done with that recipe, just that I’m taking a break from it.
Why Borax Free?
This recipe for powdered detergent is also borax free. I’ve read tons of articles about borax. They are all over the internet, with some saying they are completely safe, and others siting the potential for grave health problems.
The Environmental Working Group gives borax an “F” because of high concern for developmental and reproductive toxicity. So, I’m thinking there’s no need to use it when there are alternatives.
When I started noticing that my homemade laundry detergent wasn’t working as well as it was when I first started making it, I switched to a store-bought brand, Molly’s Suds, which has an “A” rating at EWG. But at $.19 per load, it’s not as economical as I’d like.
The ingredients in Molly’s are pretty straight forward; this homemade recipe is practically identical, and easy to make. Best of all, my homemade version is costing me only about $.06 per load. It’s also non-sudsy which makes it safe for HE washing machines.
Tips for Cleaner Laundry
Sort your laundry into whites, darks, and delicates.
Add the laundry powder to your washing machine first, and allow it to dissolve. Then add your dirty laundry. Don’t overfill with clothes or they won’t have to room to agitate and get clean.
Add 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar to your wash if you have hard water. It will also help to remove odors.
Water temperature matters. Unless the label specifies cold water, wash in warm water for better cleaning results. Use hot water for cleaner whites, or if someone in the house has been ill.
Homemade Powdered Laundry Detergent Ingredients
Sodium Carbonate
Washing soda’s high alkalinity helps to cut grease, soften water, and disinfect surfaces.
Arm and Hammer Washing Soda, and sodium carbonate get an “A” rating at EWG.
I found that my local grocery store is the least expensive place to purchase washing soda.
Sodium Bicarbonate
Also known as baking soda, sodium bicarbonate removes odors, boosts detergent performance and softens fabric.
Baking soda, as you’ve probably guessed, gets an “A” rating at EWG.
Again, buying a generic brand at the grocery store is the most economical way to purchase.
Magnesium Sulfate
Also known as Epsom salt, magnesium sulfate is a wetting agent and acts as a fabric softener. It also hardens water, so add 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar to each load of laundry if that is a problem in your area.
Epsom salt also gets an “A” at EWG.
You can purchase epsom salt here at a decent price, or get it a local grocery store or pharmacy.
Sea Salt
Salt acts as fabric softener, prevents fading, and helps to remove certain stains.
Sea salt is not listed at EWG, but you know it gets an “A”.
Redmond Sea Salt is what I keep on hand for cooking, so that’s what I use here.
Essential Oil
Essential Oils are optional in the homemade powdered laundry detergent, but do add a nice scent to the laundry without using potentially harmful fragrances. I especially love the fresh scent of lemon.
You can purchase good quality essential oils here.
More Laundry Posts You’ll Love
DIY Tallow Soap for Laundry from Learning And Yearning
5 Natural Dryer Sheet Alternatives from All Natural Mothering
Homemade Powdered Laundry Detergent
Ingredients
- 2 cups washing soda
- 2 cups baking soda
- 2/3 cup epsom salt
- 3 tablespoons sea salt
- 10–20 drops essential oil of choice optional
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together and store in a sealed glass jar.
- Use 1 tablespoon per load. Add another tablespoon if clothes are particularly dirty. Add the laundry powder to your washing machine first, and allow it to dissolve in the water before adding clothing.
- Add 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar to your wash for odor control, or if your water is very hard.
Thank you for visiting Learning And Yearning. May "the LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." Num 6:24-26
Cathy says
Questions: commercial softeners are not recommended for athletic/active wear (wool) socks. Do you find that epsom salts (that provide softening) would also not be recommended in a laundry detergent? I’ve found that essential oils can stain (oil stain) fabric as it washes. Have you run across that? I have a washer that needs the clothes first to “sense” the load and balance it, then it adds water, so I’m wondering how to address adding the powder first to let it dissolve in the water. I also have powder reside problems. I do use cold water on darks due to the nature of the fabric. I currently I use a washing soda, grated soap and borax mix and I’m ready for a change.
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Cathy, thanks for stopping by. I’m inclined to say that the epsom salt will not be a problem. Fabric softeners generally work by coating the clothing with a chemical. The epsom salt does not do that. The essential oils are completely optional so do feel free to leave them out. The epsom salt does help to disperse the essential oils and they do not float in the water as they would otherwise. So, I think you are saying that when you use your present recipe, it does not dissolve well in your machine. If that’s correct, this recipe may be a problem as well. Is there any way to override that feature on your machine?
Kate says
Add the powder to water BEFORE adding to the washer.
Pearl says
Hi, I also have a sensing washing machine. I put the detergent at the bottom then let it fill for about 45 seconds and then add the clothes on top. I also added lemon essential oil, the full 20 drops because I’m a Young Living addict, but the clothes come out so fresh! I have a 4 and 5-year-old as well as going to the gym 5 – 6 times a week. I did my first load with super smelling clothes and they came out so fresh I kept smelling them as I put them in the dryer and as I folded too!
Thank you so much for this awesome recipe. I finally find my homemade laundry soap. I’ve tried lots, but this one is IT!
Susan Vinskofski says
That’s awesome, Pearl!
Alexandra says
I’ve been adding my mixture to a cup of water and mixing it up before adding to washer cuz mine does same thing. I’ve also been using my own homemade soap bars made with essential oils & grating them up adding to the mix which makes it smell great w out the other worries that often come with using straight EO’s.
Kristen says
Incredibly, exactly what I was hoping for. Any time I read anything about natural, soap free anything, it includes borax. I’m not particularly against it, but sort of seems like cheating to me…it seems a little too easy. I almost gave up because everyone had the same answer. Thank you for such a simple, great recipe. I will be giving this a try.
Susan Vinskofski says
Wonderful; I hope it’s a good fit for you!
Linda says
Which brand of white vinegar do you use so that it doesn’t have GMO corn or petroleum?
So many people who recommend natural cleaning methods suggest white vinegar, but I don’t see anyone addressing the issue of the vinegar ingredients.
Thanks for your help.
Sarah Green says
I would never use white vinegar for food, but I am not opposed to using it as a cleaning ( laundry) product. I am curious as to what your objection is.
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Linda, There are a few brands available. ie. http://amzn.to/2BV0C2m or http://amzn.to/2BURmvi.
Laura says
Is the 1T per load for a HE washer?
Thanks!
Susan Vinskofski says
Laura, I don’t have experience with an HE washer, but this recipe is virtually a copy of the Molly’s Suds mentioned in the post, and their instructions say that this is safe for HE washers because it is low suds. They recommend 1 tablespoon.
Sarah Green says
I would never use white vinegar for food, but I am not opposed to using it as a cleaning ( laundry) product. I am curious as to what your objection is.
Susan Vinskofski says
Only that we are supporting the GMO industry by purchasing non-organic. I understand that it is more expensive and not everyone can do that.
Kathleen says
Organic is not at all related to GMO – one is growing phase abd the other is the seed itself – ie genetically modified – it can be grown either or organic …
Micla says
It is actually related by the fact that USDA organic cannot legally be GMO in America. Meaning, if it is certified organic it is not GMO.
heela harel says
hi!
i just stumbled on your site and it looks great – thanks for sharing your knowledge :).
i’d like to try this recipe but don’t have an option to dissolve the detergent before as i have one of those machines with little compartments for powder. is pre dissolving a must?
thanks
heela
Alexandra says
I’ve been putting the mix in a cup of water first & stirring it up then putting in washer & adding clothes …. seems to work great!
Jesse says
In place of essential oil, could you use Epsom salt that is scented?
Monica says
Just wanted to say thank you for this recipe! I am about to make my third batch of it. I like that I don’t have to grate soap or mix in a liquid one. It seems to work well, except for getting the natural deodorant out of my husband’s shirts, but I have started spraying those before washing and it helps.
I do have a few questions/comments. Can you use table salt instead of sea salt? I did, so I am mostly just curious on your thoughts about it. I hate to use my good sea salt in the wash. Also, I have not used epsom salt because I didn’t have any, and figured I didn’t need something hardening my already hard water.
I have a diy recipe book from mommypotamus, and she shares some conflicting information, which you could also find most anywhere on the internet just to confuse yourself. 😛 She says, “washing soda is always a better water softener than salt and other ingredients, plus it allows for a higher cleaning pH than baking soda and borax.” As to baking soda… “No one uses this in commercial formulas, not even arm and hammer! According to Daisy of Little House in the Suburbs, ‘baking soda is only half as strong as washing soda at softening water and doesn’t allow the cleaning pH to go nearly as high. And if you have a stronger product on hand, why dilute it with a weaker one?’” Based on these comments, I feel like I should use nothing but washing soda and a little do to make it smell nice?! It softens better than salt, and cleans better than baking soda. I already left the epsom out, so why use the salt and baking soda anyway?
Jesse says
I’m curious, does it work without the sea salt? Can it be used in an HE top loading? Can it be used with cool and cold water for delicates? I’ll probably have more but that’s all I can think of right now.
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Jesse, I haven’t tried the recipe without the salt, so I can’t speak to that; I do know that the salt is good for stain removal. Since the powder is low sudsing it is fine for use in high efficiency machines. It is safe for all fabric types except silk and leather. Warm or hot water is recommended. You could dissolve the powder in a small amount of warm water and then add to your cold water wash. Hope that helps!
Anna says
If you are near an agricultural area, you can get Magnesium Sulfate (Epson Salts) inexpensively by the pound through a fertilizer distributor. It is used as an organic fertilizer.
Susan Vinskofski says
Great tip, thank you!
Phoenix says
Thanks for sharing the environmental friendly homemake laudry detergent. It seems that powder doesn’t work conveniently with many machines, could this powder be liquified and stored as a liquid laundry detergent? Or is there a chemical reaction or degradation that won’t allow it to be effective or safe?
Susan Vinskofski says
I honestly don’t know, but why not just dissolve it in water for each load?
Julie says
Will the ingredients “bleach” dark colored clothing. I am asking because Molly’s suds have removed color from my darks and it consists of the same ingredients
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Julie, I have used this soap for several years and have never had a problem with it removing color from clothing, but since it contains the same ingredients as Molly’s you may want to avoid it. 🙂
cheri says
the detergent is great. not only do my cloths come out great but my washing machine shines. I do keep a pine jar on my washer and desolve it with water in jar befor poring it in washer. I’m thralled to have this recipe. thank you.
Susan Vinskofski says
Thanks, Cheri. My husband always dissolves it first, too, but I never bother. It seems to do just fine without that extra step. 🙂
Stef says
The problem is not the soap in the homemade detergent in general but that most use the wrong kind of soap. In most soaps not all the fat is turned into soap by the NaOH but some is left as fat to make it more nourishing for the skin. This excess fat/oil is what is leaving the residue. Every homemade detergent recipe here (France) is making a point that just savon de marseille or Kernseife will work. I think the equivalent in the US is hard/curd soap. In those soaps all the oil/fat is turned into soap. Which makes them drying and not suitable for showering but for cleaning they are perfect as they don’t leave a greasy residue behind.
Stef says
Also the glycerin is removed, not just the excess oil.
Susan Vinskofski says
Thanks for your valuable input, Stef!
louise says
I use this all the time. It’s great. My only moan is that when I add the salt, which I have previously dried in the oven. It still manages to cause the mixture to clump and harden. I do keep it in an airtight container, am I doing something wrong?
Emma says
I recommend trying flaked salt, usually kosher or sea. My local dollar store sells small jars of both, perfect for this use.
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Louise, I am hoping that someone else chimes in her because I have never had this problem. I use Redmond Sea Salt and I don’t know if that makes the difference.
Vanessa says
Hello, I use a similar recipe already but much more than 1 tbsp. That amount would never get my clothes clean in my machine. What size machine is 1 tbsp meant for? I have a new 8kg front loader which is quite big, and I recently had to increase the amount of powder by quite a bit as previously I had a 5kg machine. I’m also in a very hard water area. The vast majority of recipes I come across on the internet seem to be by people who don’t live in a hard water area. Soap is truly awful in a hard water area as the soap attaches to the minerals in the water and sticks to the clothes. Its then incredibly difficult to remove. Salt is great at softening water, stain removal and deodorising, but it has to be the right type. Kosher is better, as sea salt and Epsom salt have too many minerals and only harden water. Table salt often has cornflour in it and can leave deposits (same for a dishwasher!) I only know this after a lot of research about hard water’s effect on laundry.
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi! It sounds like you’ve really done your research and found what is needed for your hard water situation. If the recipe you are using is working I would continue using it.
Hicela Gonalez says
This one of the best recipe for washing clothes.
Susan Vinskofski says
Thank you; I agree!
benjamin says
Hey! A question, i read that washing soda is dangerous for the skin so should only be used with gloves, does that change when you mix it with the other ingredients?? I live in Peru and here a lot of people are using the very commercial laundry detergent full of additives, to provide a good alternative for it would be great! let me know!
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Benjamin, there is really no reason to touch the washing soda when making the product. Once it’s used in the washer, the water will dissolve all the ingredients and there will be no residue left on the clothing. The EWG who rates the safety of products gives washing soda an A.
benjamin says
And how about if we use it for handwashing??? if its mixed, will it be OK without gloves?
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Benjamin! Laundry detergents are purposely formulated to strip oils from clothes. That, however, is not something you want to use on your skin. It would be quite drying.
benjamin says
thank you susan! So we gave it to our laundry lady and she said it worked well with the colours, but that it did not work for the white clothing, and getting spots out of them.
Is there something i can add or change in the quantities to help that?
Greetings
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Benjamin, any spots or stains should be pretreated – a paste of white vinegar and baking soda works well for that. 🙂
Annan E Moose says
Using acidic agents (vinegar, lemon juice, etc) lowers the pH, which is the opposite of what’s needed in a detergent. The pH needs to be increased, which is the reason for using baking and washing sodas. You want to raise pH because it helps remove proteins. (Body oils present in dirty laundry.) BTW, washing soda is simply baking soda which has been heated, raising its pH even higher. If you’re going to use washing soda, there’s no point to also using baking soda.
The other kind of stains found in laundry are starches. (Usually food residue from sugar, pasta, potatoes, etc.) Starches are broken down by lowering the pH. Unfortunately, you can’t both raise and lower the pH simultaneously. If you try, the result is the same as simply washing in plain water.
The one thing most homemade detergents lack is an agent to suspend the unwanted “dirt” in the water, so it can be easily washed away. Without any suspension agents, much of the dirt can end up on the surface of the laundry. So, do you want to actually remove the body oils from your laundry, or just relocate it to the surface of your laundry?
Cleaning fabric is a bit more complicated than it seems.
Susan Vinskofski says
Thanks for your feedback. I’m wondering if you tried the recipe? We’ve used it for years with great success.
Jamie says
Hi,
First of all love this recipe!
I like to make my detergent in batches but I’ve found that the powder is clumping really badly. It can’t be air moisture as I put it in a kilner jar or essential oils as I don’t use them. Wondering if there’s a chemical reaction going on and have you experienced this and how do you prevent this?
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Jamie, I have been making and using this for 7 years and it has never clumped for me, so I’m a bit at a loss to the cause. My best guess is that somehow it is picking up moisture before you put it in the airtight jar.
Mika says
Hello, i’ve read all the comments about mixing it with water before. If I do mix it, should I pour it into the top detergent drawer or can I put it straight into the drum? I currently use mollys suds and throw the powder right into the drum.
Susan Vinskofski says
There is no need to mix with water first, just use in the same way you use Molly’s. ?
Christine James says
When the instructions say use a TBSP per load how do I interpret that to the size? IE: a small load in relation to an XL load?
Susan Vinskofski says
Load generally refers to an average size load, neither small nor extra large, so your drum would be about half full.
Kara says
The only recipe I have found that works for us! We like to use white vinegar in the rinsing cycle.