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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.
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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
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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.
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!