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Natural Homemade Laundry Detergent

This easy 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.

Natural Homemade Laundry Detergent Question and Answer - Natural Homemade Laundry Detergent recipe is a popular posts that raises many questions, comments, and emails. Get answers to your questions about making non-toxic all natural laundry detergent and then try this green DIY recipe.This post uses affiliate links, they don't cost you a thing but help us bring you natural cleaning tutorials. Read more in policies and disclosures. 

Seeking  Healthier Laundry Detergent

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 Homemade 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 develop my own all-natural homemade laundry detergent!

Natural Homemade Laundry Detergent Question and Answer - Natural Homemade Laundry Detergent recipe is a popular posts that raises many questions, comments, and emails. Get answers to your questions about making non-toxic all natural laundry detergent and then try this green DIY recipe.

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 RecipeCost per batchEWG Rating
Super Washing Soda$3.24A
Borax$3.38F
Baking Soda$2.12A
Fels-Naptha$2.91C
 OxiClean$3.86F
Purex Crystals$4.76C
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!

You can also add Epsom salt to the mix for a built-in laundry softener (the original recipe uses Purex Crystals). The Epsom salt version makes 13.19 lbs. (211 oz.) for $20.75 or 368 loads at $0.07 per load.

(Please note: I do not use the Epsom salt, instead I use Natural Homemade Fabric Softener in the dryer.

My Non-Toxic Laundry Detergent RecipeCost per batchEWG Rating
1 box Super Washing Soda, 3 lb. 7 oz (I use this kind.)$3.24A
Eliminated Borax––
1 box Baking Soda, 4 lb. (I use this kind.)$2.36A
4 bars Kirk's Original Coco Castile Soap, Fragrance Free, 4 oz. ea.$5.16A (or 0)
1 container OxiClean Baby or OxiClean Free, 3 lbs$9.99A
Eliminated Purex Crystals (or use Epsom Salt, 28 oz >> I do not use)$5.25A
Total Cost$20.75
Cost Per Load (1 Tbsp)$0.06

The Results

I have been using this detergent for nearly 4 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 poorly rated commercial detergent.
  • The recipe rates an “A” on the EWG scale so 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.

Natural Homemade Laundry Detergent Question and Answer - Natural Homemade Laundry Detergent recipe is a popular posts that raises many questions, comments, and emails. Get answers to your questions about making non-toxic all natural laundry detergent and then try this green DIY recipe.

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. (You can also make Natural Homemade Fabric Softener.)

Laundry Detergent Questions

This homemade laundry detergent recipe is so popular that I've written about it in two more posts:

  1. Does Homemade Laundry Detergent Really Work? Learn more about the ingredients and how they work.

Have you seen recipes for making homemade laundry detergents but wondered if they would work effectively, if they would ruin your washing machine, or if they were all a big waste of time? I have been making and using my own laundry detergent for more than 3 years and want to share my experiences with you.

  1. All-Natural  Homemade Laundry Detergent Question and Answer – Get the answers to tons of common questions.

Natural Homemade Laundry Detergent Question and Answer - Natural Homemade Laundry Detergent recipe is a popular posts that raises many questions, comments, and emails. Get answers to your questions about making non-toxic all natural laundry detergent and then try this green DIY recipe.

How to Make Natural Laundry Detergent

Ingredients

  • 4 – 4 oz bars Kirk's Original Coco Castile Soap Fragrance Free (16 ounces total)
  • 4 lbs Baking Soda
  • 3. 7 lbs Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (1 box)
  • 3 lbs OxiClean Baby (1 container)
  • 28 oz Epsom Salt (optional, I do not use)

Instructions

  1. Grate Castile soap into very small bits. (I use my food processor to grate the soap with a grater attachment.)
  2. To turn the grated soap into smaller bits I pulse it with the food processor blade. I found that processing one bar at a time and adding 1/4-1/2 cup baking soda to soap during the pulsing stage helped the soap separate into smaller bits. *
  3. Mix all ingredients in a large container and stir. (Do not breathe in the dust.)
  4. How to use the laundry detergent: Measure 1 or 2 Tablespoons onto the laundry per load. (There are no fillers in this detergent so it takes less than commercial laundry detergent.) It can be used in regular and HE machines.

Recipe Notes
*Warning: Use your food processor at your own risk! I was willing to try because Castile soap is very pure and non-scented. The soap has not injure my food processor at all. It washes out easily and does not leave a scent. (A friend who grated Fels-Naptha in her food processor said it left a strong scent.)

*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:

These two easy recipes for laundry detergent liquid makes 14 loads of non-toxic laundry detergent for about $3.oo and rates an A on the Environmental Working Group (EWG) Healthy Cleaning scale. Learn the simple way to make liquid detergent in small batches.

Natural homemade fabric softener leaves your clothes soft and static free without leaving a chemical film and artificial fragrance on your laundry. It’s easy and affordable to replace your current fabric softener with a more natural alternative from BrenDid.com

This All-Natural Homemade Stain Remover for Laundry is a simple DIY that makes an effective stain fighter that you can feel good about using. It rates and A on the EWG healthy cleaners scale and only cost pennies to make!

This Natural All-Purpose Cleanser is a workhorse! It is a bathtub and sink cleaner, a toilet cleaner, a glass top stove cleaner, an oven cleaner, a cutting board cleaner, a dishwasher detergent, a pot & pan cleaner, a laundry stain treater, a carpet stain remover, a tile and grout scrub and more! Plus it is an all-natural, green cleaner that is so gentle you can use it to exfoliate! Get the easy, 2-ingredient recipe on BrenDid.com!

Ever encountered the musty, moldy odor of a smelly towel? The less-than-fresh scent is caused by bacteria. Gross but true! Learn how to naturally eliminate laundry room bacteria and keep towels fresh with this green cleaning tutorial.

Fresh Lemon Homemade Dishwasher Detergent uses real lemons, salt and vinegar to make liquid dishwasher detergent. Learn more about this DIY recipe and its effectiveness.

Questions? I get hundreds of questions about making All Natural Homemade Laundry Detergent! Read this detailed Question and Answer section for TONS of additional information. Check it out or read the comments below for quick answers to your most pressing questions!

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Comments

  2. 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.

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  4. 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.

    Reply

      • 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 : )

        Reply

  5. 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 🙂

    Reply

  6. 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!

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  7. 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?

    Reply

    • 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 ). 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

      Reply

  8. 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 🙂

    Reply

    • 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

      Reply

      • 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

        Reply

  9. 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?

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  10. 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!

    Reply

    • Becky, I get the Kirks Castile at Walmart or Amazon(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!!

      Reply

    • 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!

      Reply

  12. 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?

    Reply

    • 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. 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!

      Reply

      • 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!!

        Reply

        • 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!

          Reply

  13. 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?

    Reply

    • Megan, I’m glad you like the recipe. I usually get the Kirks Castile at Walmart or Amazon. 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 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!

      Reply

      • 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!

        Reply

        • 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.

          Reply

          • Did you ever look into the ingredients of Oxiclean? I think it is just washing soda and hydrogen peroxide basically. I searched alternatives to oxiclean and got an article stating the following:

            The material safety data sheet (MSDS), which is a form with data regarding the properties of a particular substance, for OxiClean with an issue date of March 12, 2007 is here (original source). That document lists the following ingredients for OxiClean.

            OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover Ingredients

            Chemical Ingredients % By Wt.

            Sodium carbonate 55-65%
            Sodium carbonate Peroxyhydrate 30-40%
            Ethoxylated Alcohol C12-C16 2-4%

            According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website Sodium Carbonate Peroxyhydrate (128860) Fact Sheet:

            Sodium Carbonate Peroxyhydrate is a granular substance made by combining sodium carbonate and hydrogen peroxide. The following is its mode of action: When water is present, the compound breaks down into hydrogen peroxide and sodium carbonate. The hydrogen peroxide oxidizes and thus kills the target pests. After contact, the hydrogen peroxide breaks down harmlessly into water and oxygen. (CAS No. 15630-89-4)

            Another ingredient, Sodium carbonate, also known as washing soda or soda ash), Na2CO3 is a sodium salt of carbonic acid.

          • Hi Jen! Yes, you are correct, Oxiclean is basically powdered hydrogen peroxide which is what makes it effective in this recipe. When the water in the wash “activates” the Sodium Carbonate Peroxyhydrate it becomes a great cleaner. Hydrogen peroxide is great for removing stains from laundry. Hope this answers your question!

  14. 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

    Reply

  15. 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 Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps Pure-Castile Soap, All-One Hemp Lavender be a good substitution? Kirk’s does not have a lavender option. I want to make sure it stays non-toxic and everything.

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

      • 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.

        Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  18. 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?

    Reply

    • 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!

      Reply

    • Good question Bernie! According to the EWG ratings Oxiclean Baby and Free rate A and B. You can learn more at EWG. 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.

      Reply

  20. 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!!

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  22. I have Epsom salts that have milk and honey added to it. Will that work or should I buy just plain pure Epsom salts?

    Reply

    • 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!

      Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  24. 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?

    Reply

    • 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!

      Reply

  25. 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?

    Reply

    • 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!

      Reply

  26. 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?

    Reply

  27. 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.

    Reply

    • 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!

      Reply

  28. 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;)

    Reply

    • 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. 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.

      Reply

      • 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

        Reply

        • 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!

          Reply

  29. Hi!

    I live in Canada and I am finding it difficult to locate Oxiclean baby. Are there substitutes that you recommend?

    Thank you!!

    Reply

  31. 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!

    Reply

  33. 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…

    Reply

  35. 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!

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  36. 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!

    Reply

  37. 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???

    Reply

  38. 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

    Reply

    • 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!

      Reply

  39. 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

    Reply

    • 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 to release vinegar at the right time. Let me know if you have more questions! -Bren

      Reply

      • 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 🙂

        Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  41. 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?

    Reply

    • 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!

      Reply

  42. A question, does the detergent leave a greasy residue behind, in your machines inner workings, like some of the other detergents?

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  43. 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?

    Reply

    • 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

      Reply

  44. 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!

    Reply

    • 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!

      Reply

  45. 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!!

    Reply

    • 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.

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  46. 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 🙂

    Reply

    • 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!

      Reply

  48. 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…

    Reply

    • 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

      Reply

  49. 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.

    Reply

  50. 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?

    Reply

  51. 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!!

    Reply

    • 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!

      Reply

      • 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!

        Reply

  52. 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 🙂 …

    Reply

  53. 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!!

    Reply

  54. 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!

    Reply

  55. 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.

    Reply

  56. 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.

    Reply

    • 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!

      Reply

  57. 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!

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  59. 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

    Reply

  60. 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?

    Reply

    • 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.

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  61. 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.

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  62. 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?

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  63. 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!

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  64. 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?

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  66. 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.

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  67. 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 🙂

    Reply

  68. 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!

    Reply

    • 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!

      Reply

  69. 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!

    Reply

    • 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

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  70. 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!!

    Reply

    • 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!

      Reply

  71. 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.

    Reply

  72. 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.

    Reply

  73. 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.

    Reply

  74. 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…

    Reply

  75. 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!

    Reply

  76. 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.

    Reply

    • 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.

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  77. Hi Bren, this is a great recipe, however, I am concerned about what I have read online about using soap instead of true detergent to clean clothes, that it will ruin my washer, that it’ll clog pipes or create a film and that it won’t truly clean clothes. What are your thoughts of using soap vs a real detergent?

    Reply

    • I use soap, I have been using it for 3 years in my HE machine and have not had a single problem. It’s important to note that soap has been used for cleaning much longer than detergent. I wrote a long response about soap vs detergent on my FB page (you can see it here). You should do whatever you are comfortable doing with your appliances. Be aware that soap and detergent can both build up if you are 1) using too much detergent or 2) overloading your machine so clothes cannot rinse properly. You may get a bit of soap residue (soap scum) or mineral build up if you have hard water, but a but of vinegar in the rinse will get rid of this problem. You can also run an occasional empty load with vinegar to really clean things out (this should be done if you are using soap or detergent, most manufacturer’s recommend a cleaning with their own cleaning tabs). I have personally seen no difference in build up when using detergent or soap. If you want a true detergent you should check out my Liquid Laundry Detergent recipe.

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  79. Hi Bren, tested out your recipe in 1/4 part and I love it! It’s the best out of the 3 I have tried. But the catch here is that I can’t get Oxiclean in Singapore, (damn, I can’t get lots of things here) but I have managed to find pure Sodium Percarbonate from Japan. The catch here is 3lb of that cost a whooping of USD22.

    So, is there a way I can reduce the amount of Sodium Percarbonate?

    Reply

    • I’m so glad you like the recipe, Amy! I have never made it with less Oxiclean, but you could try making a a batch with 1/4 the normal amount and see how it washes then work you way up to what you think works best. All you would have to do is stir in a bit more. Hope this helps!

      Reply

  81. Hey Bren
    I from Brasil, just found your blog. There is just One thingh I dont understand about your receipt: why use the OxyClean? It is not just made of “Sodium Percarbonate and Sodium Carbonate”? You just put already the same component using the washing soda ?
    Thanks
    Love this blog

    Reply

    • Oxiclean is mostly sodium percarbonate (a dry granulated form of hydrogen peroxide) which helps remove stains in laundry. Washing soda is pure sodium carbonate. If you skip the Oxiclean you are skipping the granulated hydrogen peroxide. You don’t have to use Oxiclean, I use it because it is a common brand in the United States and is easy to find. You can use any powdered sodium percarbonate. Hope this answers your question, thanks for commenting! -Bren

      Reply

  82. I’m so glad I ran across your recipe! I was buying natural laundry soap from a lady near me that made it and sold to but she has recently stopped. I have the list of ingredients, just not how much of each. This is the closest recipe I have found so far! The only thing missing is “wet” ingredients. Is there a need for any of these — water? Vegetable glycerin? Coconut oil? It also has essential oils added to some for scent but I read above you said, it was kind of a waste due to its washing of during the wash. Thank you for your opinion.

    Reply

    • Thanks for stopping by, Kara! You do not want to add water to this recipe because it will react with Oxiclean in the mix and lose it’s effectiveness. Oxiclean is powdered hydrogen peroxide (Sodium Percarbonate), its cleaning power is released when it hits water so you do not want it to touch liquid before it is in the washer. Coconut oil would just make your laundry more dirty, I am not sure why that was added. Vegetable glycerin does work as a stain remover, but since it is a liquid it would react with the Oxiclean if added to the mix. I would recommend keeping a bottle of vegetable glycerin as a stain treater instead. The essential oils do wash out, but if you prefer nice smelling detergent feel free to use some to make laundry time more fun (I support anything that makes laundry more enjoyable!). If you want a liquid detergent recipe you should check out my recipe here. I also have a LONG laundry detergent question and answer here. Good luck! Let me know if you have more questions and how you like the detergent. -Bren

      Reply

  83. Hi Bren,

    Where are you purchasing all of your ingredients for this recipe? The links to amazon you have above show much more expensive products. Or are your price calculations outdated? For example, you have the box of baking soda as $2.36 but that Amazon link shows it at $5.95 which is quite a bit different.

    Reply

  84. I have used a few homemade luadry soaps but so far none have stood up to my two dogs and their smell. Do you have animals or have a problem getting that particular smell out of your wash? Also would this recipe work for cloth diapers?

    Reply

  85. I’m extremely pleased with how easy this was to make. I live in an intentional community where electric is limited and I was able to grate the castile soap with a fine cheese grater very easily. The ingredients were easy to find and were even a little cheaper than your listing prices. The ingredients cost less than 20 dollars and will last a long time. I can’t wait to use it! I’m using a large, bpa free cereal storage container to hold it and this makes somewhere near 10 freakin’ pounds of detergent! I’m blown away. I will share this blog post and my satisfaction 🙂 thank you for your hard work! I almost did the liquid detergent but decided on the dry for cost effectiveness, mess reducer and quantity of product. It’s really nice to be able to easily cross reference your recipes and opinions/experiences 🙂
    ~ Holly

    Reply

  86. Made this today. Haven’t tried it in laundry yet. I was using Norwex powder detergent and liked it but it was pricey.
    The prices on you list are way low to current price. I got all on Amazon and cost about $35.

    Reply

  87. I am so excited to make this – but castile soap where I am is very expensive…
    Could I use the Ivory pure and simple soap bars? I can buy a bulk pack of that very cheap.
    It has a pretty good rating on EWG … do you know if it will work okay?

    Thanks!

    Reply

  88. Hi, I was wondering why it said cook time 10 minutes. I did not see in the instructions a need for any cooking. Thanks! Looking forward to trying this recipe.

    Reply

  89. Hi there!

    I am super interested in trying out this recipe. As I was browsing the web today for recipes, I came across some articles that said that using homemade laundry detergent is actually not good for your clothes as the soap and things can create a film on your clothes. Then this film actually traps dirt and gunk in your clothes. Have you had any problems with this? I don’t want to clean my clothes for them to turn out not actually being clean. Thanks!

    Reply

  90. Hi! I’m not sure if this was previously addressed in the comments but I saw that some people asked about using Zote flakes instead of Castile Soap. I just wanted to mention that Zote Flakes received a ‘C’ rating from the EWG so I don’t think this is a great alternative to use especially if you are concerned with the environment! Sorry if this had already been addressed!

    Reply

  92. Hi Bren,
    Was curious to know where you bought a 4 pk of castilles soap for $5.16?
    amazon is selling an 8 pk for $17.00 +.

    Reply

  93. I love this recipe for laundry detergent. I made my first batch 5 months ago, and just yesterday made a second batch. Cleans so well and lasts so long. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply

  94. Can you please let me know what labels you bought to print out the free labels for the Laundry Detergent and Fabric Softener? Also, do you have a label for the Stain Sauce?

    Thank you so much for the recipes and all the information. I have been gathering all the ingredients and have been to at least 6 stores. The last of the stuff I had to order online.

    I am so excited to get started.

    Reply

  95. I tried the recipe cut in half, used dr bronner lavender scent soap bar, and also used the vinegar rinse. My whites do not come out white a bit on the dingy sid, any help?

    Reply

  98. I am so excited to make this detergent 🙂 but i have a small problem. In Europe we don’t use this measurements. We weight things into grams and kilograms. Could somebody help me to convert this recipe into grams and kilograms. I want to do the right way. Thank you

    Reply

  100. So this is a natural recipe? I would really like to know, its for a science project and it has to be “Earth-friendly”.
    Anyway, thanks.

    Reply

  101. I LOVE THIS!!! Finally got around to making this and all I can say is ‘WOW’!!! I use 1 tb for regular laundry and 2 tb for my dog potty pads. They come out clean and WHITE. Amazing!

    I have also been using straight white vinegar, for the rinse, and my laundry has NEVER been so soft. Works great with dryer or line dry. I am a convert and have been converting friends to a more chemical free life.

    Thank you SO much for posting all you do!

    Sheila 🙂

    Reply

  102. My roommate wants a borax free homemade laundry detergent. But I don’t have a good processor. Do I still need to put the castile soap in the food processor? Can I still use Purex Crystals?

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  103. I was just looking at my Borax version because I’m needing to buy more ingredients. Thanks for the post and for doing all the homework for us. Definitely plan to try this healthier laundry detergent instead. 🙂

    Reply

  104. Do you also use your food processor on food after the soap? Is 1-2 tbsp enough for a load of laundry? Will all the ingredients fit in that 1-2 tbsp?

    Reply

    • Yes, I use my food processor for food after grating soap. As I mention in the post “The soap has not injure my food processor at all. It washes out easily and does not leave a scent.” Yes, I use 2 Tablespoons per load for my large HE machine.

      Reply

    • You should use 16 ounces of soap to make the recipe. Save the leftover soap from the last bar for your next batch or use it in the shower. It’s great body soap.

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    • Are you asking which I prefer? I think both work equally well but I generally use this homemade powdered detergent because it makes 300 loads and is easy to store.

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  107. I’m sorry if this is a duplicate question, I had trouble reading ALL of the feedback on your post!! I have made my own laundry detergent using Borax, Washing Soda and Castille bar soap. I have since read an enormous amount of information that says soap does not actually get into the fibers of clothing and will instead build up over time on clothes, and that DETERGENT is necessary to actually clean clothes well. And that many ingredients found in home made laundry recipes are water softeners that do not actually contribute to the cleaning process of clothes. Are any of the ingredients in your recipe considered DETERGENTS rather then soap? Thoughts?..I specifically read a womens blog who used home made powder for months. She then stripped a load of “clean” clothes that she had been using her DIY recipe on and the water from that load was GROSS! Ugh..so confusing

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  108. i know it’s been a couple of years since this post and Kirks could’ve changed their recipe since then, but I scanned the soap into the “think dirty” app and they rated it at 9 for the fragrance. What soap are you currently using or would you replace this with?!

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    • Jordan, I use the non-scented version of Kirks in the recipe but any CAstille soap will work. Just use the same number of ounces. I also love Dr Woods and Dr Bronner soaps. Good luck!

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  109. I was skeptical to make my own laundry soap because I heard blames that “they don’t work” and “it doesn’t remove odor from clothes”. Well I’m here to say that this stuff works! Not to mention, I had an accident if the female sorts today, and did not pretreat my undergarment. I just threw it in there and hoped for the best. To my surprise it got the stain out! My clothes are completely odorless and feel nice and clean. I used the home made dryer sheet recipe in addition to my wool dryer balls as well. My clothes feel so soft. Next time I will leave out the essential oil because I really can’t notice that it left a scent. But that’s not a concern of mine. Clean clothes are. And this stuff is legit. So glad I stumbled upon this recipe. It makes a ton! I made my friend sample bottles of each!

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  110. I left a comment on one of these laundry detergent recipe pages and I don’t see it here. But, since you are responding to comments made in January 2018 here, I’ll ask my question again.

    I am being told in no uncertain terms that using soap in any DIY detergent recipe is going to create a build up on my clothes and in my washing machine. I have read as much of what you have written on your blog about your experiences with the recipe and you do say, you’ve had no problem with cleanliness of the clothes or having a problem with your machine. But – you did make a statement at the end of your ‘Do Homemade Laundry Detergents Really Work?’ page, that made me wonder. You said…

    “THE FINAL DECISION HOMEMADE OR STORE BOUGHT?

    I would rather deal with a few disadvantages to using soap for laundry than expose my family to unnecessary man-made chemicals. You should decide what is right for your family.”

    That to me would indicate there are a few disadvantages, but what are they? All I saw you say, was that you were happy with using it and there were no disadvantages. So I’d really be happy to know what the trade offs are. If my laundry is not going to be as clean, or have a scent, or I have to do a little more to get whites, white, I can live with that. But if my clothes and the washing machine are going to develop a build up of residue after a few months, that is a different matter. Especially if the machine is going to end up with a build up. If it’s the clothes, well, no harm no foul. I could switch back to a different detergent and that would be the end, but if the machine was affected, that might not be so easy to solve. So, I’d really appreciate a specific answer about whether or not you have experienced any buildup or soap scum in your machine over time and if so, if you had to do something to address that? Also you seem to indicate you moved around some, so I find myself with the question of whether you were using the same machine long enough to determine that no, there was no build up. Thanks so much. 🙂

    Reply

    • Liz, I reread her article and I interpreted the disadvantage as having to take the time and make the laundry soap. It is safer for the family but it does take time.
      I have tried homemade recipes in the past and have not been happy with them. I just started using this and the jury is still out 🙂.
      To save time, I cut up the soap and put it in the microwave. This puffed it up and then I put it in the food processor. Easier on my processor.

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      • Interesting technique, Bonnie. I’ve seen the microwave soap experiment done with kids. I wonder if it affects the cleaning power of the soap?

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        • I don’t think so! I’ve tried other recipes and just wasn’t happy with the cleaning ability. I also discovered I hated grating soap 🙂

          My test subject was my sons work clothes which come home caked in mud. It was taking 2 washing’s with my commercial detergent. 2 tablespoons and the clothes came out spotless! I was so amazed!!

          I did find that I had not made the soap fine enough because I was getting residual soap on my clothes at first. So I put it back through my food processor and made the mixture finer in texture. No soap residue and a fantastic cleaning job! Thank you Bren!!

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  111. How did you determine that 183 oz would give you 320 loads? How many tablespoons does 183 equal? Also were you going by using 1 or 2 tablespoons per load?

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    • One dry ounce equals approximately 2.38 tablespoons so 183 ounces is approximately 435 tablespoons (these are rough measurements). Using 1 Tablespoon per load you should get at least 400 loads. If you use 2 tbsp for every single load you will get approximately 217 loads. I tend to get at least 320 loads per batch using 1 tablespoon for smaller loads and 2 for large or extra dirty loads.

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      • Thank you! I just made up a batch but had to use “normal” Kirk’s and slightly different Oxiclean. I’m excited to try it! Can I post information about this on my own blog? I would link to this post. I like to share “thrifty” finds.

        Reply

        • Thanks for posting, Virginia. You can definitely post about the laundry detergent on your blog. However please send your readers here for the ingredients/instructions.

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  112. Hi Bren, thanks for all of your efforts and your willingness to share your knowledge! My personal idea of “The Holy Grail of Laundry Detergent” adds one additional criteria – which is none of the ingredients are purchased from companies that test on animals. That takes Oxiclean and Arm & Hammer baking soda off the list. I can get baking soda from other sources but Oxiclean poses more of a challenge. I was wondering if using sodium carbonate peroxide (which gets an A from EWG) is something you may have tried or if you have thoughts around whether this ingredient would perform similarly? Thanks!

    Reply

    • Thanks for commenting, Lori. Oxiclean is mostly sodium percarbonate so some reader have tried using Sodium Percarbonate as a substitute. If you want to experiment with Sodium Percarbonate I would use only 1/2- 3/4 of the Oxiclean amount since the pure Sodium Percarbonate has no fillers. You could also search for other Oxygen bleaches that are animal friendly, I found this one on Amazon: Ecos Oxi Brite

      Reply

  114. I am hoping it was just a fluke or maybe I did it wrong? I tried using this last night for the first time and for the most part I love the result! The only problem I did have so far was that the clothes on top (that the detergent got poured onto) still had detergent on them, It didn’t dissolve from them… I did wash them on cold, but I noticed on another comment you said it would dissolve in cold water. Any ideas what might have gone wrong?

    Reply

    • Kaydee, it really depends on the temperature of your cold water. When using super cold water I recommend dissolving it in warm water (I have also allowed a bit of warm water to run into the machine over the detergent and then switched to cold). Good luck!

      Reply

    • When I use powder detergent I put it in first in my machine then the clothes, because doing it in reverse I had the same problem. Hope that helps.

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  115. Thank you so much for this!!! I spent a day on EWG, checking out our products. Ours weren’t on there and I’m tired of membership fees. I grew up on shaklee and use it in my own home. My mother wouldn’t even let us in the detergent isle as kids. As a one income family with lots of laundry we have been looking for an economical option, and my husband needs scented detergent. This is perfect and we are going to do this for our weekend project! P.S. I had to drop some unfortunate news to my sisters about their new found favorite products- melaleuca. ALL F’s.

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  117. I’m thinking of making my own Oxiclean generic. Basically it is sodium carbonate peroxide & sodium carbonate. Since the Arm & Hammer is sodium carbonate couldn’t I just use pure sodium carbonate peroxide and sodium carbonate and leave out the Arm & Hammer washing soda? Would appreciate your thoughts and suggestion on ratios of the 2 ingredients.
    Thank you

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  118. I know this is an older post, but thank you so much for this recipe! My 4yo son has sensitive skin, and regular detergent would cause his skin to get red and itchy. I tried three different types of “gentle” detergent and still had the same problem. I made this a month ago and no more redness. I line dry our clothes, and they come off the line soft without any additional dryer time with laundry balls or anything! I love this recipe (although I only had a hand grater so it took me some time!), and since trying it my son and I have also made your foaming hand soap, room spray, and all purpose cleaner. I love that my son can help me make and use all the products without me worrying about the chemicals he might come in contact with that would cause a reaction.

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  119. Hi, I just made my second batch of this detergent. I liked the way it cleansed the odors from my clothes, but noticed oily looking spots on almost every item after washing. I read that this could be because we have hard water, so the powdered detergent isnt dissolving completely. How can I turn this powdered recipe into a liquid detergent? ( Do you think that would solve my problem?) Thank you!

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  120. I made this recipe yesterday and I am so amazed how clean my laundry is with just 2 tablespoons of detergent. Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing this amazing borax free laundry detergent recipe.

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  121. I’m glad I found this! I have a small child, and have been looking for a natural detergent to use! I will be trying this out soon. Do you still use this recipe often?

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  122. Hi, Bren!
    I plan on making this soon, but have a question. Have you found the detergent to get “stuck together” or clumpy? (make sense?)
    I’ve made other homemade detergents (laundry and dishwasher) but they clumped together and I resorted to using a knife to break apart and ultimately threw it out. Basically, the concoction dried up and was like a brick.
    Thanks!!

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  123. Hi, Bren!
    Ignore my previous question about clumping – I saw your response to a previous question!!
    Thanks!

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  124. Hi Bren! I’ve really been enjoying your site and getting some great recipes and tips to make my home more naturally clean! I opened my Citrus-infused Vinegar last night and it smells AMAZING! Can’t wait to incorporate it with some cleaners. OK the reason I’m commenting on this post is I found a neat trick to breaking down those bars of soap before we all get Carpal Tunnel. Since I don’t have a heavy duty food processor and grating that much soap is out for me , I found this!

    https://moneysavingmom.com/2013/07/reader-tip-no-grate-powdered-laundry-soap.html

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  126. Thanks so much for the great recipes and natural concoctions. Can you please share where you found OxiClean Baby for $9.99?

    Thanks

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  127. I’m trying to ‘green-up’ my life as I have cancer and have found your website invaluable. However, on reading the ahprofessional.com link above, I can’t see how Oxyclean, or any version of sodium percarbonate, can be considered an A on EWG. If serious eye irritation and aquatic toxicity, plus the usual skin and inhalation irritation count as an A, what on earth counts as F?! With mixing up powders of these , we must be exposing ourselves to the ingredients. I’m begining to feel as if there is no really safe way of effectively and easily cleaning! Didn’t that data sheet worry you? I assume hydrogen peroxide’s data sheet would look pretty scary too! But maybe so does humble vinegar/acetic acid. I feel so confused!
    Your recipes do seem to be as green as they get though, and I love the science and explanations behind everything. Thank you!
    On a side note, it would be super helpful if you could mark the recipes where you have since discovered that the ingredient combination neutralise themselves please.

    Reply

    • Helen, it is overwhelming to start a more natural cleaning routine and to start reading all the data, ingredients, and conflicting information. If you want a 100% natural detergent you will have to use something like soap nuts. Otherwise I just try to make an educated decision about where, how and how much of the product is being used. Hope this helps! As fas as ingredient combination neutralizing themselves… you can read more here. My recipes do not include those combinations.

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  128. I made this last September and am just now about to run out! We started the year as a family of 4 and are now 5 so it lasts a long time. I have been really pleased with how it works except I’ve noticed that it doesn’t get out oil like regular detergents. Specifically, breastmilk leaves marks on my clothes. Do you know of anything safe that could be added to be a degreaser?

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  130. I have been using this laundry detergent for a year now and have found it to be the most economical and the best detergent I have ever used. I have very sensitive skin and have not had any reactions. Great detergent! Thank You for the recipe, I have passed it on.

    Reply

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