This tutorial for natural homemade laundry detergent makes 320 loads of non-toxic laundry detergent for $20.75 ( $0.06 per load) and rates an A on the Environmental Working Group (EWG) Healthy Cleaning scale. It’s a win-win for natural cleaning and fugal living.
This post uses affiliate links. The research and opinions are all my own.
Are you a Pinterest lover? If you do much poking around on the site you’ll soon discover that DIY laundry detergents are all the rage. (Yep, I’m at the point in my life where laundry detergent can be a rage…. but I digress.)
Homemade laundry detergent is often suggested as a way to save money, but I wanted to make my own laundry detergent for another reason -> to produce an effective all-natural detergent that eliminated dangerous chemicals and additives.
My goal was to create a detergent recipe that scored well on the Environmental Working Group (EWG) Healthy Cleaning scale and was still cost-effective.
Not-So-Natural Laundry Detergent
For years I used Arm & Hammer Free Liquid Detergent and thought I was making a good choice for my family’s health. It did a great job, was fragrance-free, and it was cost-effective ($.10 a load). I felt good about using it in our home UNTIL…
… I discovered the EWG Guide to Healthy Cleaning. It’s a database that analyzes household cleaners and give them a grade (A-F) based on ingredients.
Did you know that cleaning product manufacturers can use almost any ingredient and the US government doesn’t review the safety of products before they’re sold? SCARY!
I began looking up all the cleaning/household products we used and learned that my trusty detergent had scored a D for problems such as cancer and respiratory effects. BIG FAT FAIL! I no longer felt good about using it for my family!
All-Natural Laundry Detergent
Store-bought laundry detergents that score an A on the EWG scale are a bit pricey. They range from $14.00 for 42 loads ($0.33 a load) to $15.00 for 70 loads ($0.21 a load). Triple my original laundry detergent cost! It was time to make my own natural homemade laundry detergent.
Making Natural Homemade Detergent
I started with a basic cost saving detergent recipe from Happy Money Saver and replaced the ingredients that scored high in toxicity. The original laundry detergent recipe made 18 lbs (288 oz.) for $20.27 or 504 loads at $0.04 per load.
| Original Recipe Laundry Detergent Recipe | Cost per batch | EWG Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Super Washing Soda | $3.24 | A |
| Borax | $3.38 | F |
| Baking Soda | $2.12 | A |
| Fels-Naptha | $2.91 | C |
| OxiClean | $3.86 | F |
| Purex Crystals | $4.76 | C |
| Total Cost | $20.27 | |
| Cost Per Load | $0.04 |
The Natural Replacements
My natural homemade laundry detergent uses natural Castile soap instead of Fels-Naptha and eliminates Borax.
Borax use is somewhat controversial in green circles; it is a naturally occurring mineral, but it is also toxic. Read more about the controversy at Crunchy Betty or MNN.
The new all-natural recipe makes 11.43 lbs (183 oz.) for $20.75 or 320 loads at $0.06 per load!
Add Epsom salt for a built-in laundry softener like the original recipe. The Epsom salt version makes 13.19 lbs. (211 oz.) for $20.75 or 368 loads at $0.07 per load! I do not use the Epsom salt and use Natural Homemade Fabric Softener in the dryer.
| My Non-Toxic Laundry Detergent Recipe | Cost per batch | EWG Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 box Super Washing Soda, 3 lb. 7 oz (I use this kind.) | $3.24 | A |
| Eliminated Borax | – | – |
| 1 box Baking Soda, 4 lb. (I use this kind.) | $2.36 | A |
| 4 bars Kirk’s Original Coco Castile Soap, Fragrance Free, 4 oz. ea. | $5.16 | A (or 0) |
| 1 container OxiClean Baby or OxiClean Free, 3 lbs | $9.99 | A |
| Eliminated Purex Crystals (or use Epsom Salt, 28 oz ) | $5.25 | A |
| Total Cost | $20.75 | |
| Cost Per Load (1 Tbsp) | $0.06 |
The Results
I have been using this detergent for nearly 3 years and there is no looking back!
- The natural laundry detergent is significantly less expensive than the store-bought nontoxic detergents AND cheaper than my former bad rating commercial detergent.
- The recipe rates an “A” on the EWG scale, I feel good using it in our home.
- This homemade natural laundry detergent cleans great! I can honestly tell no difference between my recipe and store-bought laundry detergent.
Another big plus, this laundry detergent is naturally low foaming.. This means it can be used in both standard and HE machines.
Bonus tip: Fill the washer’s fabric softener dispenser with white vinegar for safe and effective laundry softening. If the washing machine does not have a fabric softener dispenser (or you do not want to fill it with vinegar) use a Downy Ball filled with white vinegar. It automatically releases the vinegar during the rinse cycle.
- 4 – 4 oz. bars Kirk's Original Coco Castile Soap Fragrance Free
- 4 lbs Baking Soda
- 3 lb. 7 oz. Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda, 1 box
- 3 lbs OxiClean Baby, 1 container
- 28 oz Epsom Salt (optional)
- Grate castile soap into very small bits.
- I used my food processor to grate the soap (with the grater attachment) and then pulsed it with the blade into small bits. I found that processing one bar at a time and adding ¼-1/2 cup baking soda to soap flakes during the pulsing stage helped the soap separate into smaller bits.
Warning: Use your food processor at your own risk! I was willing to try this as the castile soap is very pure and non-scented AND my food processor is on its last legs. Grating and pulsing the soap did not seem to injure my food processor at all. It also washed out easily and did not leave a scent in my food processor. I was a bit worried as a friend who grated Fels-Naptha (from the original recipe) in her food processor said it left a strong scent. - Mix all ingredients in a large container and stir.
- Use your new laundry detergent - 1 or 2 Tablespoons per load. No more! There are no fillers in this detergent so it takes less than commercial laundry detergent. This is safe for regular or HE machines.
*If you want to make any substitutions to the recipe look them up in the EWG guides to make sure they rate well.
More Natural Laundry Solutions
If you’re concerned about chemicals in your home check out some of my other green laundry tutorials:
DIY Laundry Detergent Liquid (Two borax-free liquid detergent recipes that make small batches of laundry detergent with no grating)
Natural Homemade Fabric Softener (it can be used in the washer or dryer)
All-Natural Stain Sauce for Laundry (It’s a great stain pre-treater)
All-Purpose Cleanser (it’s great for all-purpose household cleaning and laundry stains)
How to Natural Clean Smelly Towels (Learn how to get towels clean and fresh, naturally)
Fresh Lemon Dishwasher Detergent (cause dishes get dirty too!)
Questions? I get hundreds of questions about making All Natural Homemade Laundry Detergent! This detailed Question and Answer section has TONS of additional information. Check it out or read the comments below for quick answers to your most pressing questions!
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Wow. I’m going to try this! Looks great. Thanks for the tip!
How well does this detergent work? Have you tried it on any particularly messy items? I need a new detergent, but with my husband being a construction worker and having a messy 4yo boy and a baby in cloth diapers… I need something that WORKS! lol.
Brittany, my husband is in the Navy and his flight suits often stink like jet fuel (yuck). This detergent used with the vinegar rinse (white vinegar in your fabric softener dispenser) has really done the trick. I can’t vouch for diapers, but it is made with OxiBaby which says it is made for diapers. It took tomato sauce off a t-shirt with no pre-treating if that is proof! Hope this helps.
I used Zote soap flakes and mashed them with a jar instead of trying to grate a bar of soap
Good idea! I have not used Zote, but I hear it is a good natural soap. Where did you get the flakes. How did you like the detergent?
I bought the Zote on Amazon… and I’ve only done one load so far… so I’ll let you know in a month.
Bren:
Thank you so much for this post! I made a batch and it is amazing 🙂 I will admit that I “cheated” a bit and used a box of Zote soap flakes in place of the grated Kirk’s. I don’t like to grate soap and the flakes are a great substitute. I’ve made other dry laundry soap and I wasn’t impressed – plus they ALL included borax. Yuck.
Need to make the dishwasher soap next.
Thanks again for you wonderful green recipe.
Anne, I’m so glad you like the laundry detergent and I’m happy to hear the Zote worked. I will have to look for Zote on my next shopping trip!
Bren- Thank you for this recipe, as I will be making shortly! After reading the comments, I am wondering if I should go with the Zote Flake route, as that would cut my time in half. But I was unable to find it on EWG. I was wondering if you knew anything about it as far as chemical/toxin wise? I saw you heard it was a good soap? Thank you : )
Great question, Sarah. I have not used Zote because I have not been able to find detailed information about its ingredients, this always concerns me. Here is the information I have found: http://www.goodguide.com/products/521034-zote-laundry-soap-bar-reviews-ratings
Thank you for your helpful feedback 🙂
I also used a bit more epsom salt than your recipe calls for. I bought a 4 pound bag at Target and put in about half. Figured it was close enough 🙂
This is one of the advantages of this recipe, “close enough” works! LOL! -Bren
Hello! This will be my first time making home made detergent and was so happy to find your recipe was borax free. Do you know if I can substitute the bar castile soap for liquid castile soap? Also is this recipe safe for HE washers? Thanks so much!
Caitlin, so glad you’re trying the recipe! You can not use liquid Castile in the mix, it would react with the Oxyclean. You can buy pre shredded Castile soap flakes. I’m working on a non-toxic liquid detergent recipe! This recipe is low foaming so it is HE safe.
I have searched high and low and this is one of the best recipes I’ve found. What are your thoughts on incorporating citric acid into this recipe? Would it cancel out or react with one of the other ingredients? Also, what do you think about adding a bit of soap berry powder? Is that overkill?
Thanks for commenting Allie, you have some good questions. I do use citric acid in my dish washing powder ( as a water softener/lime/scale remover but I have never used it on laundry. I am a concerned it might counteract the castille soap since it is an acid (you can read more here http://www.lisabronner.com/a-word-of-caution-about-vinegar-and-castile-soap/). As far as soap berry, it wouldn’t hurt the recipe, but you might be wasting $ adding the additional soap with the castille. I’ve used the current recipe for several years in several locations around the US and world (we move a lot) and in several types of machines (standard, HE front loader and HE top loader) and it has always worked well. Maybe save the citric acid or soap berry powder for a pre- treater? Or try making a small batch of my recipe and adDing your desired substitutions a bit at a time per load to see which combination you like best. I hope this helps! -Bren
Hi Bren… Excellent recipe! We’ve been working to free our home from harmful chemicals since my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer just over a year ago. She’s doing brilliantly and has just about finished all the main courses of treatment and fingers crossed they’re doing the trick… Does anyone have any suggestions for alternatives to Kirk’s Original Coco Castile Soap for those wishing to try this over in the UK? I can’t seem to locate any stockists of that particular soap over here. Many thanks 🙂
Justin, so glad to hear your wife is doing well! My own journey to a more chemical free life was inspired by a dear friend’s breast cancer diagnosis. On to laundry… You can substitute any Castile soap in the same measurement. I have used Dr Bronners unscented bars and Kiss my face unscented olive oil bars successfully. While living in Japan I purchased whatever castille bars I could find. I would recommend unscented, but it doesn’t have to be an expensive brand. Hope this helps! Sorry I am not more familiar with UK brands. -Bren
Hi Bren
That’s brilliant… I just googled a couple of natural soaps and there’s a few that might work so I’ll give them a try. Going to look out for an old food processor on freecycle to use. Don’t fancy soapy grated veg next time Tina uses it!
Have a brilliant week!
Justin
This is great! I was making my own for a while and didn’t like using borax but never thought to just leave it out. I think I may try this!
And I love the addition of epsom salt. Do you think it would be overkill to add the epsom and do a vinegar rinse?
Thanks Stephanie! No, I don’t think it would be overkill to do both the epsom salts and the vinegar. I’ve done it before for things I wanted extra fluffy (like towels) or stuff I want rinsed really well (Like baby clothes). The vinegar rinse helps breakdown any detergent that may have been left behind.
Hi, thanks for sharing this recipe! I’m planning to make it this weekend. Can I ask where you bought your ingredients? These prices are really great!
Becky, I get the Kirks Castile at Walmart or Vitacost (Walmart only carries it in some locations), the rest I get at local discount stores or grocery stores. I watch for sales/coupons on baking soda and can usually find an online coupon for Oxyclean. I have been making it for awhile so I tend to stock up! I also find some good deals using Amazon prime. Hope this helps!!
Just wondering, for an HE washer, should i put it in the detergent dispenser or directly in with the clothes?
Nicole, I have a top loading HE washer, I put the detergent directly in with the clothes. I’m not sure it would dissolve completely from the detergent compartment but it works great right on top of the clothes. Hope this helps!
Hi 🙂 Thank for this post, I found it on Pinterest & I’m gonna give it a go! We are also trying to rid our house of chemicals but I find that all the “safer” detergents are really expensive. I do have one question though, I have used unscented laundry detergent before and our clothes never smelled clean. Is there any natural things you know of that I could add? Maybe something plant based? Also, I use vinager around the house to clean and it’s a pretty strong smell (one my husband is not fond of) does you laundry smell like vinager if you use it? Thanks so much!! I’m excited to try this!
P.S. Have you made any dishwasher detergent?
Jenny, thanks for stopping by the blog! This detergent smells slightly like baby wash. Your clothes will come out smelling like nothing, maybe a little Oxyclean baby smell. If you want the detergent to have a scent you can use scented castille soap in place of the Kirk’s Original Coco Castile Soap. Here are some examples from Vitacost: http://tinyurl.com/mjjygpg. You need 16 ounces total for the recipe. If you use vinegar in the rinse the clothes will smell slightly vinegary when wet, but will have absolutely NO VINEGAR smell when dry. (Vinegar is a natural deodorizer, so as it dries it removes odors including its own.) You can also try my homemade fabric softener, it smells like whatever essential oils you uses. I understand the concern about vinegar smell, when cleaning with it you can add essential oils or make citrus scented vinegar. I also use this Homemade Air Freshener for Fabric and Rooms (which makes the house smell wonderful) and this Natural Carpet Deodorizer and Room Freshener(which turns your vacuum into a air freshener). Yes, I also make my own dishwasher detergent too, you can get the recipe here. Hope this answers your questions! Let me know if you have more!
WOW!! Awesome thank you!! I’m going to check all of these out 🙂 I’m finding moving away from chemicals is pretty fun for me as I make my own… I love making things, especially when they benefit my family! Thanks again, I LOVE your blog!!
Thanks so much Jenny! I love making my own stuff too. It’s so much fun to get safer and save money at the same time. Let me know if you have more questions!
Hi-this looks great! But I’m pricing things out on Amazon and the total comes to over $50. Any ideas on where to get the ingredients for as cheap as you listed above?
Megan, I’m glad you like the recipe. I usually get the Kirks Castile at Walmart or Vitacost (Walmart only carries it in some locations), right now it is on sale at Vitacost for $3.02 for 3 bars with free shipping. (Offer for my readers, when you register for a free Vitacost account using my referral code, they will email you a $10 coupon to use on your first order (of $30 or more). And it keeps going… anytime you refer a friend, you both get a $10 coupon! Disclosure, if you click on my link I also get a $10 coupon.) The rest of the ingredients I get at local discount stores or (sometimes) the grocery stores. Right now (3/12/15) the washing soda is $3.97 (Wal-Mart), the Oxyclean is $6.99 (Target), and the baking soda is $2.24 (Wal-Mart) — add that to the Kirk’s from Vitacost and the total price of the detergent is $17.22 for 320 loads or $0.05 a load. If you use generic Epsom salts it adds about $1.25 (Wal-Mart) I also find good deals at Costco on larger quantities of baking soda and Oxyclean… I occasionally find castile soap and washing soda at Costco too. (I have been making it for awhile so I don’t mind stocking up on large amounts of the ingredients.) I love the convenience of Amazon, but it sometimes comes at a premium price on household items. I occasionally find some good deals using Amazon Prime (especially if I use auto delivery). I always price compare at Target.com and Walmart.com before ordering on Amazon. You can also Google phrases such as “Oxyclean coupons” and find more savings at times. Hope this helps!
Ok so now I’m standing in Target and they don’t seem to carry Oxiclean Baby, I can’t find it online either. Is it ok to use regular Oxiclean? Thanks!
Yes, you can use the regular version or Oxyclean free. I prefer the free or baby version because they have no added artificial scent. Also, sometimes the baby version is hiding in the baby section.
Thanks! In looking online it seems Target and Walmart are no longer carrying this product. Amazon and Diapers.com have it. Anyway, I’ll keep looking around town or maybe just pony up the extra few dollars to order online
The only place I found it was at Babies R Us.
Great suggestion Allie!
Megan, did you see Allie’s comment about Babies R Us for the Oxyclean Baby? They usually have coupons too.
Great, I’ll check that out. Thanks!
I’m excited to try this. I haven’t been able to find oxiclean baby but did find oxi clean free from Target. I’ll do this and then when I run out I can try to find oxi clean baby again.
I hope you have good luck with the detergent. I have been using Oxiclean Free frequently as the baby version is getting harder and harder to find. Come back and let me know how you liked it!
I was originally looking for a homage detergent that had a lavender scent. Would you be able to add lavender essential oil to this? Or would these soap bars (Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps Pure-Castile Soap, All-One Hemp Lavender, 5-Ounce Bars (Pack of 6) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001ET77OI/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_b6Ajvb0J6E8S7
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001ET77OI/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_b6Ajvb0J6E8S7) be a good substitution? Kirk’s does not have a lavender option. I want to make sure it stays non-toxic and everything.
Yes, the Dr Bronners Lavendar(or other scents) would work great. I love their products. I use Kirks in this recipe because it is more affordable. Just substitute an equal number of ounces as the Dr Bronner bars are larger than the Kirks. If you want to use essential oils try them in fabric softener Or fabric refresher spray.
Bren, thank you for the recipe! Kimberly, I bought lavender Epsom salt to give it a little scent. It’s cheaper than buying scented soap.
They also had Milk and Honey, Camomile scented Epsom salts. Which I will try next time.
Welcome Sally! So glad you like the recipe. If you’re concerned about using a non-toxic laundry detergent you’ll want to look up the Epsom Salts on the Think Dirty App or EWG.com. Many of the scented Epsom salts use artificial fragrance.http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/product/520955/Dr._Teal%27s_Epsom_Salt_Soaking_Solution%2C_Sleep%2C_Lavender/ . The scented Castile is more expensive but uses natural scents.
I am excited to try this recipe! I also love your glass containers….where did you get those and what size?
Thanks Mary! I hope you try the recipe! My jars are 2 quart jars from Ikea. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70227986/ I love the look and their affordable price.
Just did my first batch of laundry this weekend with your detergent and LOVED it! I am now going to make the fabric softener. Thanks so much for making my house more environmental friendly and healthier.
Mary, I am so glad you like the detergent. It is my favorte DIY. I hope you enjoy the fabric softener too!
Hi just wondering where you purchased the oil lean baby soap at. Thank you
Jaime, I think you are looking for Oxiclean Baby? It is often available at online retailers and baby stores. I often use Oxyclean Free when I can’t find the baby version. It is getting harder and harder to find. Oxiclean Free works great too.
My washer has a detergent drawer with a spot for powdered detergent – can I add it there or should I add it directly into the drum?
Stephanie, good question! It should work in a powdered detergent dispenser since it is the same consistency of regular powdered detergent, however I have never used it this way. My washer does not have a powdered detergent dispenser so I just put it in with the clothes. Hope this helps!
Is Oxyclean really non toxic?
Good question Bernie! According to the EWG ratings Oxiclean Baby and Free rate A and B. You can learn more at http://www.ewg.org/guides/search?page=1&per_page=15&q=oxiclean. Oxiclean is mostly sodium percarbonate (sodium carbonate and hydrogen peroxide) which is consider eco-friendly. The free and baby versions are supposed to be free of artificial dye and scent.
I am so excited to try this recipe! I’ve never made any sort of laundry product myself so I am a bit nervous about it 🙂 My husband and I are trying to have a baby so I’m looking to clear my house of any toxins/chemicals. I was wondering if any all natural bar soap would work in place of the Kirk’s? I did read through the comments and some suggested Zote. Thoughts? Thanks in advance!!
I have used several different versions of Castille soap. I am not sure about Zote. I would check EWG or the Think Dirty app for ratings. I try to avoid artificial
Fragrances and colors.
I was wondering if this Landry detergent will dissolve in cold water ? I am very excited to try this!
Tiffany, I haven’t had any problems with it dissolving in cold water (and I do most of my laundry in cold water). If you are concerned you can always dissolve it in a small cup of warm water and them add it to the machine.
I have Epsom salts that have milk and honey added to it. Will that work or should I buy just plain pure Epsom salts?
Christine, I would not use the milk and honey ones – unfortunately the scented epsom salts often have many other additives (including coloring) that may or not work well in your laundry. Hope this helps!
Can you add essential oil if you want a pleasant aroma?
Lori, as I mentioned in the comments above, I would use scented Castile soap if you want to add scent. I would leave the essential oils for the dryer. You can find my fabric softener recipe here. They wash right out in the washing machine and leave no odor, kind of a waste for an expensive product! Hope this helps.
I made this incredibly easy mixture tonight!! And washed my first load of clothes in it. I am so glad to have found something that is safe & non-toxic for my family. I love it but my husband wishes it had more of a smell. Is there anything safe to add to give it a freshly-washed smell?
I’m glad you like the detergent! Unfortunately laundry scents are usually from toxic chemicals, so you can’t make this smell like most commercial scented detergents. You can use scented Castile soap in place of the non scented or try my Fabric Softener which uses essential oils. If you really want scent spritz the clean laundry with my Fabric and Room Refresher Spray before folding. Hope this helps!
Thanks for the recipe! I went and grabbed all the ingredients at Walmart today, with the exception of the OxiClean Baby, which I had to order from Amazon. I have a load or two of laundry that needs to be done, would it be safe to use the mixture minus the OxiClean until it comes in, or should I just use my chemical-laden Arm & Hammer in the meantime?
Also, couldn’t find scented soap. Can I add a few drops of essential oil to the mixture for a fresh scent?
Bianca, it should be safe to use the mixture minus the oxyclean, but I have never tried it. It might not get your clothes as clean. You can add essential oils but the laundry will still come out smelling mostly like nothing. You might try the essentials oils during the rinse cycle if you really want scent. Hope this helps! So glad you are trying the detergent!
Hi I just made this recipe with Kiss My Face Olive Oil soap because I couldn’t find Kirk’s or Dr Bronners (without scent) anywhere is my area. The Kiss my Face doesn’t say “castile” on the packaging, do you think it will still work ok?
Yes, it will still work great. I have used Kiss My Face Olive Oil soap in the recipe as a substitute for Castile when necessary.
The only Epsom salt I could find had lavender eo, would that be ok? Also would this work without the oxy baby? Only ingredient I didn’t find at walmart. Final question is this safe to use for baby clothes, assuming yet but want to make sure before I skip deft this time.
I would look up any Epsom Salts you find on the EWG Skin Deep Database, one common Lavender Epsoe Salt contains artificial fragrance. You can generally find plan Epsom salt in the pharmacy section of Wal-Mart, just ask the pharmacist.
The recipe will not work as well without some type of Oxiclean, I believe Wal Mart carries Oxyclean Free which rates well on the EWG scale and works in this recipe.
Dreft baby detergents rate an F on the EWG scale. This recipe rates an A, that’s why I use it on all my kids’ laundry. It has never harmed any item I have washed in it.
Hope this answers your questions, let me know if you have more. I am so glad you are trying the recipe!
Thank you, Bren! My hubby is in the navy too!
My problem is getting smell off the gym clothes:(
Im gonna make this batch, take half of it or less and add in some downy crystals and wash extra smelly items with that batch;)
Hi Sally! Great to see another Navy wife here! Hope you like the laundry detergent! If you want to make a natural detergent I would check the scented product on EWG before adding it. http://www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners/5663-DownyUnstopablesInWashScentBoosterLush Most don’t rate well. Have you tried vinegar in the rinse water? It does an amazing job of eliminating odor. I use this recipe (with no Epsom salts) and a vinegar rinse on my hubby’s gym stuff and it smells clean and fresh. Hope you like the recipe.
Hi Bren,
I was wondering since you do not use the Epsom salts if you tried this recipe with them and didn’t like it? Thanks, Janel
Good question, Janel! I honestly didn’t see much difference with or without the Epsom salt. Since I like it just fine without I don’t feel the need to use them. I think some people like them because they have hard or extra soft water. Hope this answers your question!
Hi!
I live in Canada and I am finding it difficult to locate Oxiclean baby. Are there substitutes that you recommend?
Thank you!!
Becca, if Oxyclean Free is available in Canada it makes a great substitute. Oxyclean is just one brand name for a mixture of sodium carbonate and sodium percarbonate. You can find it under other brand names. If you find one available in Canada I would look it up on the Think Dirty app or the EWG database to make sure it is non-toxic and free of artificial fragrance.
Great post, I had no idea borax had such a low rating. Did it state why? Have you tried soap nuts? I really want to start using those to see if this is a big difference or not.
Ashleigh, you can read more about Borax from the EWG on their blog and also at the Mother Nature Network. I have never tried soap nuts but have heard a lot about them. We love this detergent so I haven’t used anything else for years. You’ll have to let me know if you try them.
Hello! I’m so excited to make this!! My husband is a plumber and would prefer I not use powder detergent.. do you think it would be possible to mix this with water ahead of time so it will dissolve? Thank you so much!
Yes, you can mix a scoop of the detergent with a cup of warm water and pour it into the machine as the cycle starts.
Do you know if this is safe to use on cloth diapers?
Nevermind, sorry, just saw the other comments! Thanks!
I’ve never used it on cloth diapers, but I have used it on pretty much everything else without any problems. Hope this helps!
Do you mind telling me where you bought the OxiClean baby and Castile soap? I have looked on Amazon and I cannot find it for a price close to yours…
Emmy, Oxiclean Baby is available on Wal Mart.com for $7.52 or at Babies-R-Us or Diapers.com for $9.99. I usually buy my Castile soap from Vitacost.com . The unscented version is also available at some Wal-Mart stores. Hope this helps!
Most recipes I’ve seen call for washing soda not baking soda – so you use baking soda?
Vicki, my recipe uses both: 4 lbs Baking Soda and 3 lb. 7 oz. (one box) of Washing Soda. Hope this helps!
Question….. How does this detergent work with dark loads? Our family tends to wear a lot of dark colors (especially my teens) and I am worried about dark colors fading. Thanks for any help!
Jesse, I use this detergent on all my clothes (darks, delicates, everything) I have not had any problems. I think it is very gentle on clothes.
I cannot find the oxiclean baby anywhere! I know I can order it online, but I am eager to make this over the weekend. Are there any alternatives? Thanks!
Oxiclean Baby is getting harder and harder to find. You can substitute Oxiclean Free in the recipe. Also, I just wrote a question and answer we post for the laundry detergent recipe since I get so many question you can find it here: Natural Homemade Laundry Detergent Q&A. Hope this helps!
Super washing soda Crazy expensive online and can’t find locally…. I heard soda ash from pool supply store is the same (100% sodium carbonate) thoughts???
Soda ash and washing soda are all names for sodium carbonate. This version that I use is affordable online. You could double check with the pool supply to make sure it is the same. Also, check out my Question & Answer for making Homemade Laundry Detergent. Hope this helps!
Would it be okay to use Dr. Brooner liquid castles soap instead of the bar of Castile soap? Also if I downsized the recipe to 1.17 gallon what would measurements be? Thanks, Connie
Connie, you can not use liquid Castile. You can read all the reasons why and what you can substitute in my Homemade laundry detergent q&a. If you want to make 80% of the recipe amount you just need to multiply each ingredient by .80, I prefer to make the full recipe as it uses full boxes of the ingredients. Thanks for commenting!
Hi Bren,
I’ve tried other DIY recipes in the past and did not like any of them, but I made yours last week and I just love it! I’m so happy to not be using unsafe detergent any more…thank you so much! I have one question, I have always put a 1/2 cup vinegar in the wash cycle with my towels…can I still add vinegar with your detergent…I’m wondering if it will counteract with the castile soap or the Oxyclean? Thanks Bren…Janel in NJ
Janel, I’m so happy to hear that you like the recipe! You should not add vinegar to the wash cycle of any detergent that contains Castile soap, it will break down the soap. I add the vinegar to my fabric softener dispenser, it is then added during the rinse cycle where it helps to rinse out the soap and fluffs/deodorizes the laundry. If you do not have a fabric softener dispenser or do not want to use if for vinegar you can use a Downy Automatic Dispenser
(affiliate link) to release vinegar at the right time. Let me know if you have more questions! -Bren
That’s what I thought, but I wanted to make sure. Thank you and I hope you and your family have a Blessed Thanksgiving! Janel 🙂
Hi,
Does this dissolve in cold water?
Wanita,I haven’t had any problems with it dissolving in cold water (and I do most of my laundry in cold water). If you are concerned you can always dissolve it in a small cup of warm water and them add it to the machine.
Hi there! I am currently using a homemade non toxic liquid detergent that I’ve been pretty happy with, but I think I’d like to give this a try. Does the powder stay loose and “powdery”? I wonder because when I made a powder dish washer detergent and kept it in a Mason jar under the kitchen sink, it turned into a brick. Not sure if it was something in the recipe, or the moisture or temperature uunder the sink? Not sure? But that’s my only concern with making a powder, have you had any issue of that sort?
Great question, Jessica! The detergent stays very powdery no clumping or hardening. I’ve had the same problem with homemade dishwasher detergent and found out it was the citric acid reacting with the other ingredients that turn it into a brick! (You can solve the dishwasher detergent problem by leaving a silica gel packet or small mesh bag of rice in the jar or by leaving the mixture open in a large bowl for several days & stirring occasionally before you put it in a storage jar.) Hope this helps!
Excellent! Thanks so much! Gonna try this laundry detergent asap….. and may try dish washing powder again too! Thanks for the tips 🙂
Hope you like the recipe! You should also check out my lemon dishwasher detergent and powdered dishwasher detergent.
A question, does the detergent leave a greasy residue behind, in your machines inner workings, like some of the other detergents?
Jeannine, I’m not sure which other detergents you mention, however this detergent recipe has not ever left a greasy residue behind for me. I have used it for nearly two years with no problems.
I’ve used liquid laundry detergent for years and skeptical about powdered detergent. I have a top loader HE machine and wondered how well the detergent rinses out ofb the dispenser drawer?
Also, I see that you use Oxiclean. There aren’t any harmful chemicals in oxiclean?
Oxiclean is mostly sodium percarbonate which is considered eco-friendly. According to the EWG Oxiclean Baby and Free rate A and B. You can learn more at http://www.ewg.org/guides/search?page=1&per_page=15&q=oxiclean. The free and baby versions are supposed to be free of artificial dye and scent. You can read more about the detergent and my use of it in my post Natural Homemade Laundry Detergent Question and Answer. Hope this answers your questions!
Deb, I only used liquid detergent before making this detergent. In my opinion it dissolves more quickly than store bought powders. I have a top loading HE machine and put the detergent directly in the wash tub with the clothes. I have never used it in the detergent compartment, but it works great right on top of the laundry in cold water. When I am at my parents home (which uses extremely cold well water) I dissolve the detergent in a cup of warm water and pour it directly on top of the laundry. You can read more about the detergent and my use of it in my post Natural Homemade Laundry Detergent Question and Answer
Thank you for sharing! I’ll be making this weekend. Hate to sound CrAzY, but could this also be used to wash my dishes? I was dishes the old-fashioned way. I fill up a bowl with liquid dish washing soap, fill with water, and start dipping sponge to wash dishes. Since this is a safe and natural recipe, would you think it a good idea to also use for washing dishes? Thank you again!
Esmeralda, it should work to get the dishes clean by hand but will not suds up since there is no foaming agent. You can also use liquid Castille soap or washing soda alone for hand washing. Good luck!
I just washed 2 different loads of towels with the diy laundry soap. I always wash all my towels together but this time all the light colored towels have blue everywhere from a blue towel that was washed with them. I’ve washed them together many times and never had a problem with fading. Any idea what happened? I’m afraid to use it on my clothes. I don’t want something to fade all over them.
But on a better note….I love the way the towels came out as far as fresh and clean. It worked great. Just not loving the blue spots. Help!!
I’m not sure what happened, Kim. I am so sorry you had this issue. I have never had a problem with fading or color transfer. I do separate lights from colors even when washing towels. If you want to wash them together I would use cold water.
Hi Bren! Just wanted to let you know I have started washing everything, including towels, in cold water and I haven’t had anymore fading. Thank you so much for the great recipe!
I’m so happy it’s working for you!
Thank you for this recipe! Just getting on the all natural, no chemical bandwagon and this seems like a great recipe to start using in my home. Quick question, because I’m having a hard time doing conversions can you tell me how many 2-Qt jars you get out of this recipe using the Epsom salt version? I saw you mention in the comments which jars you use but it would be helpful to know how many to buy; or many you store it in a large container and refill the jar for everyday usage? Help is appreciated 🙂
Megan, the complete mixture would fill at least two 2-quart jars. I generally store the mixture I am using in a 2-quart jar and put the rest into the empty Oxyclean bin I used in the mix. I usually mix the detergent it in a giant plastic container that used to contain pretzels (I bought it at Costco so imagine the size!). I sometimes leave the detergent in that container…. but the glass jars look nicer!
I was unable to find any Kirk Soap on the EWG website- any idea what the original soap is rated? (Not the unscented) thanks!
It rates a 2 on their beauty product score chart (1 being the best, 10 being the worst) . You can read the full report here: http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/product/468403/Kirk%27s_Original_Coco_Castile_Bar_Soap%2C_Original/
Do you know if All OXI laundry booster free and clear for sensitive skin is equivalent to the OxiClean baby/free and clear? It is half the price but I couldn’t find it on the EWG website but I didn’t see it. However, the other All products on there seemed to score an F…
Danielle, it took me a little research but I have an answer! Here is where you find the product data sheet for the All Oxi Booster Free & Clear. It contains Sodium Carbonate and Sodium Carbonate Peroxide both of which rate an A on the EWG scale. This is essentially the same product as Oxiclean Free/Baby, you can see the Oxiclean ingredients here. I would check out the back of the box to make sure those are the only two ingredients and would then feel safe using it. I always double check to make sure the word fragarence is not on the ingredient list, sounds odd but a lot of fragrance free products still have fragrance! Hope this helps! I will have to check it out the next time I am at the store. -Bren
Do you have this recipe in a smaller size? I have all these ingredients on hand but I use a lot of them for cloth diapers so I don’t want to use the full boxes for this recipe.
Eliza, you can simply divide the ingredients by 1/2 or 1/4 to make a smaller batch.
Thanks for the recipe! I have been making my own laundry detergent for years. I just recently found out the fels naphtha is not as safe as I thought it was 🙁 I am looking into using kirks castile soap in my laundry detergent as well. I am a little nervous because I have heard many people find that castile soap leaves an oily residue on their clothes. I really don’t want to ruin my families clothes but I also want to make healthy choices for my family, so I am at a dilemma!! Do you find that the castile soap leaves any sort of residue on your clothes? Also does it clean well?
I have been using this detergent for close to 3 years and I have never had an oily residue. It cleans great. It removes stains and odors well. You can read more in my Natural Laundry Detergent Q & A.
Hi Bren! Your blog is amazing! I’ve been trying natural cleaning products for a while but your recipes look way better than the ones I’ve been using. I read some of your comments because Oxi Baby or anything like that exists here in Uruguay (there’s Oxi powder I’ll check today in the store to see the ingredients but doubt they come as clan as yours) so I was wondering if like you said to Daniel on Feb. 16 I could substitute it directly with Sodium Carbonate and Sodium Carbonate Peroxide. I’m not sure I’ll find them in pure state but just in case, could you tell me the proportions or if there’s anything I can substitute it with? Thank you!!
Ines, thank you so much for the lovely compliments. I am sorry to say that do not know the Sodium Carbonate or Sodium Carbonate Peroxide ratio since Oxiclean does not disclose the amount of fillers they use. You could try it out for yourself or use Borax as a substitute for the Oxiclean. I am not sure how you feel about Borax use, but you should be careful not to breathe it in if you use it in the recipe. Hope this helps!
Thank you Bren! I’m hunting for Oxiclean today to see if I’m lucky enough to fin a clean one. If not I’ll investigate with the other ingredients. I’ve been using borax for a while but had no idea you shouldn’t breath it, so I’ll try to get even cleaner with Oxi. Thank you for your answer!
Good luck!
I made this today! Thank you for the recipe as my husband has such sensitive skin! Time will tell, but I have a feeling this will work 🙂 …
Thanks Rene! My kiddos have sensitive skin too. Hope this recipe works for your family.
Hello Bren! I absolutely love your site! I see lots of comments regarding oxi-clean baby and just wanted to share. On the EWG site they also rate ” LA’s Totally Awesome Power Oxygen Base Cleaner” an “A”. I have been using this in my laundry detergent in place of oxi-clean and it works great! It’s the same ingredients as oxi-clean. Even better – you can find it at the Dollar Tree. A 16 oz container is only $1!!! I make a smaller sized, similar version of your recipe so this works perfectly for me- plus the scoop in the container is a perfect size to measure the laundry detergent out. Your recipes just make sense. I’ve made my own laundry detergent in the past but was still always concerned with the “natural” ingredients I was using. Thank you for sharing all of your recipes!!
What a great suggestion, Tawny! I can’t wait to check it out!
Maybe I missed it in the comments, but has anyone used Biokleen? They have an oxygen bleach plus (3X concentrated. 32 loads, 2 pounds. About $9 on Amazon). I have a container here but I haven’t used it before. Since it’s three times concentrated would I only use 1 pound for this recipe?
It rates an A on EWG but has more ingredients than Oxiclean. I’ve always heard how much “filler” Oxiclean has (And for some reason I can’t convince myself that Oxiclean is “green” enough for me. Something still seems fishy!?)
Ecover Laundry Bleach is another one I’m interested in. Anyone have any experience?
Thanks!
I’ve never tried Biokleen or Ecover, let me know if you have any luck!
just found this! looks like a great alternative. does it work for all washing machines? And by all machines, I mean the HE – High Efficiency machines.
Lauren, yes you can use the detergent in HE machines. This recipe is low foaming so it is HE safe. I have personally used this detergent in a standard washing machine, a front load HE washing machine, and a top loading HE washing machine. It worked equally well in all the machines. You can read more in my Homemade Laundry Detergent Question and Answer.
Thank you so much for the recipe to your great laundry detergent. I had been trying various eco friendly commercial detergents but was extremely unhappy with the results. My clothes never seemed to get clean. I thought it wouldn’t hurt to try yours; it couldn’t be any worse. I’m delighted to say that after using yours for a good month I won’t be looking any further. My washing is cleaner than it has been in a long time and without harming the environment! I use a HE front loading washer with a powdered detergent dispenser. The first time the detergent did not dissolve completely. Every time since, I heat up a cup of water in the microwave, stir in the detergent and pour it into the dispenser when the cycle begins. There’s never been any residue left on the laundry. I have very hard water and used Epsom salt in the recipe. Without using vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser, my washing is amazingly softer. All in all, I am very pleased to have found a safe replacement for the expensive detergents I had been using.
I am so happy to hear that you are having great success with the detergent! I love it too. I have a HE machine and simple pour the powdered detergent on top of the clothes (in case you don’t want to use the dispenser). Thanks for commenting!
Hey Bren, such a great article. Thank you for sharing not only your opinion but the facts. So helpful! On another note, I’m wondering if I missed something. I clicked on all the links you said but prices are way higher for each product. For example, you said $3.24 for 1 box Super Washing Soda, 3 lb. 7 oz but on the link to amazon, the price is $9.89. I’m confused on the pricing breakdown, help?
Thanks!
Janie, the prices are based on the best I can get shopping stores in my area and/or online. The Amazon links are to show the products I buy, Amazon prices change all the time so I cannot guarantee they are lowest. I would check your local stores and online to see where you can get the best deal.
sorry if this has already been asked – but do you mix in any sort of essential oils for a scent, or are they not necessary? Thanks!
I do not add essential oils to the detergent since they simply wash out leaving no scent. You can read my scenting ideas in my Homemade Laundry Detergent Question and Answer.
I have been making a liquid laundry soap for a few years, but would like to try this. Could you please tell me how much to add to each load? I read the article a couple of times and stated to read comments, but do not have time to read them all. Thanks
No problem, Barb. It’s actually in the printable recipe. Use 1-2 Tbsp per load. I generally use 1 Tbsp.
I just made this tonight and am very excited to use it! I was wondering though, how do you keep from inhaling it? I know that sounds ridiculous .. But I used the exact ingredients listed and I feel it is very dusty, as in when I scoop a whiff of dust comes up with it. Any suggestions?
Kayla, I keep mine in a big jar that is only about half full so the dust stays inside. Also the dust seems to settle down and not be a problem after a few days.
Do you know if these ingredients are safe for septic systems? The key for septic systems is not to use stuff that will kill the bacteria required to break down rhe water and be biodegradable itself.
I would double check with a septic tank guide but they should all be safe for your septic tank.
I just made this but i used Grandma Lye Soap , because my son is allergic to coconut oil and i couldn’t find any castillo soaps without coconut. but it seems like the soap doesn’t completely melt in my HE washer, Do you have any suggestions on what to do?
Vanessa, I would fill a cup with 8 to 10 ounces of warm water and dissolve the detergent into it then pour into the washer directly on top of your clothes. I do this when washing in extremely cold water and it works great. You can also try Kiss My Face Bar Soap Pure Olive Oil Fragrance Free Soap in the detergent. Good luck.
Thank you so much for this recipe! I want to try it so badly. The thing is I use cloth diapers and I have hard water. I tried looking at all of the comments to see if these two things had been addressed and didn’t see much as far as actual experience using this recipe for these two things. Could you help me out and let me know if you know anything about how this detergent works for those two issues? Thank you so much!
I have very hard water and use this detergent exclusively. I have not washed diapers in it, but I have washed everything else…. Including fuel smelling uniforms…. with great success. Hope this helps!
You should also check out my Q & A, http://brendid.com/natural-homemade-laundry-detergent-question-and-answer/
Hello, I searched through old comments in hopes to answer my own question but I am not sure I found it. Would you mind telling me what size container I need to house this recipe once completed?
I store mine in a 2 gallon jar (you can see an example in this affiliate link -> http://amzn.to/29LC1kJ). It is about 3/4 full when I make detergent. You could use any 1.5-2 gallon container.
Thank you for your response!
I was wondering if the soap dissolves well in cold water? We washing everything on cold per the husbands’ request.
I use it in cold water (I also wash everything in cold water), you can dissole it in a bit of warm water if you have problems. Read more in my post Homemade Laundry Detergent Q & A
Just a FYI. A repairman told me you should never use salt in your washing machine. There are parts it could cause issues with, such as corrosion.
Epsom salt is magnesium, not table salt. You can leave it out and the recipe still works great.
I am new to all this DIY cleaners and such. I’ve been really looking forward to green laundry detergent. Do you have suggestions for a liquid laundry detergent? Or do you know of someone who has made a liquid green version of a laundry detergent? I would appreciate it 🙂
I am working on a liquid version, my Stain Sauce will work but it is a bit of an effort to make. I do not have a liquid recipe that I have tested to recommend, sorry!
I’m looking forward to the liquid laundry detergent :). Thanks.
I just found this recipe and was so happy to see in the comments you’ve also successfully made this with Kiss My Face Olive Oil Soap. My son has terrible eczema and believe it or not, we think it’s coconut that’s doing it. We aren’t sure yet if it’s just a sensitivity or if it’s an actual allergy, or if it’s all in my head, but coconut is in EVERYTHING (soap, hand sanitizer, laundry detergent, baby wipes) so I’m trying hard to find alternatives for everything. I just bought the olive oil soap to use as his regular soap and now I need a laundry detergent recipe and now I’ve found one. When doing the vinegar rinse, you just put the white vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser when you load the washer? How much do you use? Also, does the OxiClean Baby list it’s ingredients. I can’t find that online at all and I need to make sure no pesky coconut products have snuck their way in there. Thanks so much!
I love Kiss My Face Olive Oil Soap, I buy it for showering. I use vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser or add it to a Downy Ball. You can use Oxiclean Free if you cannot find Oxiclean Baby (it’s getting harder and harder to find). Check out my Natural Homemade Laundry Detergent Question and Answer for tons of questions I have been asked about the recipe. It has lots of great info. I hope this helps your son’s eczema!
Hey there! So excited to have run across this recipe. I am fairly new to the world of natural cleaners and would love to save myself the step of grating the soap. Baby steps, ya know?! 🙂 Do you have any suggestions on where to buy the pre-grated soap? I am located overseas (also military!), so big box stores are not an option. Thanks so much!
Stephanie, I have not been able to find a source for pre-grated soap that scores well on the EWG scale. 🙁 I grate mine in the food processor and then run the food processor bowl and grater through the dishwasher with my dishes. It comes out sparkling clean. The soap takes about 2 minutes to grate this way. I’ve been doing it for about 3 years with the same food processor. I’ll let you know if I ever find a pre-grated version. -Bren
Hey Bren,
Would you use this on cloth diapers? I’ve been making the Borax/Felz Naphtha version for two years and I’ve often wondered if it’s effectively cleaning the diapers. I want something more natural but that still works for the diapers. Thanks!!
I use this detergent on everything from hand washables to fuel soaked uniforms. If you are concerned about fragrance, optical brighteners or enzymes this detergent contains none. If you are concerned about detergent buildup or detergent residue you should use the white vinegar rinse (although I do not have a build up problem with or without vinegar). If diaper odor is a concern I would use the vinegar rinse. Hope this helps!
Thank yoy for your recipe. I have been making my own detergent, but we are having a baby, so I am trying to find some recipe that will be good for the baby. I am glad I found this, I will try it. I have one question though. What is Epsom Salt for? I saw it is an optional.
Thank you very much.
The Epsom salt is used by some people as a softening agent. It is entirely optional, I do not use it when I make my own. You can read more in my Natural Homemade Laundry Detergent Question and Answer.
I have used a mixture of 1 cup Borax, 1 cup Washing soda and 1/2 bar Ivory soap for nonbleach detergent (colors); and added 1 cup of sodium perborate for bleach detergent (whites) and had good results.
And, add about 2 ounces of 6% white vinegar to the wash also.
Now, I want to see if I can get the same or better result patterned after your recipe- 1 cup each Washing Soda, Baking Soda and Sodium Perborate, 1/4 cup Kirk’s Castille.
I’m not convinced Borax is hazardous, it has been used for generations, Also, while I like Ivory soap, it still does have an undisclosed fragrance in it, and so wish to avoid that. Regular Kirk’s Castille also has a fragrance so I’ll use the unscented version. I will try this new way and post how it works.
Interesting experiment Scott, hope it goes well.
I tried 1 part baking soda, 1 part washing soda, 3/4 part sodium perborate and 1/4 part Kirk’s Castille unscented soap on whites, colors and towels. I add about 2 ounces of white vinegar in the wash as well.
Preliminary results:
The clothes smell and feel great! No fragrance, or perspiration smell.
Cleaning quality is good, but not great on stains, etc. (which was true of the previous version with Borax and Ivory soap).
I used sodium perborate as a bleach substitute on every load, no fading immediately noticeable, but need more time to test. If it works, this could be one homemade detergent for both whites and coloreds.
I’m glad the recipe is working well for you. I agree, some stains need extra treatment. I use homemade Stain Sauce for Laundry. or All Purpose Cleaner with a spray of hydrogen peroxide. Can’t wait to hear more! -Bren
Ok, I just started my first load! I have an he machine, should I put it in the detergent spot or just the bottom of the washer? My old stuff I put in the bottom but I’m not sure how well it was working, my hubby’s gym clothes came out still stinky. But it could have just been the detergent…
I have a HE washer and put the detergent right on top of the clothes. If your clothes come out stinky you might want to give the machine a cleaning and then try washing them again. Here’s the way I clean my machine. Good luck!
I’ll try that first. Thanks!
I’ve been using this for about a month, and I’m impressed! The only thing I do differently is use 3 or 4 tablespoons per load in my large capacity HE machine. It works great. I’m hooked!
Thanks Katie! I’m so glad you like the detergent!
I read that if you mix hydrogen peroxide and baking soda together, it’s the same as oxyclean,and less expensive. I can’t remember the amounts to mix together, would this work in your laundry detergent recipe. If so, How much should I use? Thanks for your help.
People mix hydrogen peroxide, water and baking soda or washing soda to make homemade “Oxyclean.” ou can not add this mixture to the dry laundry detergent mix, the liquid will react with the mix and lose it’s effectiveness.