This easy tutorial for natural homemade laundry detergent makes 320 loads of non-toxic laundry detergent for $20.75 ($0.06 per load) and rates an A on the Environmental Working Group (EWG) Healthy Cleaning scale. It’s a win-win for natural cleaning and frugal living.
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Seeking Healthier Laundry Detergent
Are you a Pinterest lover? If you do much poking around on the site you’ll soon discover that DIY laundry detergents are all the rage. (Yep, I’m at the point in my life where laundry detergent can be a rage…. but I digress.)
Homemade laundry detergent is often suggested as a way to save money, but I wanted to make my own laundry detergent for another reason -> to produce an effective all-natural detergent that eliminated dangerous chemicals and additives.
My goal was to create a detergent recipe that scored well on the Environmental Working Group (EWG) Healthy Cleaning scale and was still cost-effective.
Not-So-Natural Laundry Detergent
For years I used Arm & Hammer Free Liquid Detergent and thought I was making a good choice for my family’s health. It did a great job, was fragrance-free, and it was cost-effective ($.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!
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!
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 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 >> I do not use) | $5.25 | A |
| 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.
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:
- Does Homemade Laundry Detergent Really Work? Learn more about the ingredients and how they work.
- All-Natural Homemade Laundry Detergent Question and Answer – Get the answers to tons of common questions.
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
- Grate Castile soap into very small bits. (I use my food processor to grate the soap with a grater attachment.)
- 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. *
- Mix all ingredients in a large container and stir. (Do not breathe in the dust.)
- 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:
- 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! 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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Tibor
Hi Bren,
I’m impressed that you’re still answering questions on this recipe! Thank you!
Also, thank you for the recipe! We’ve been using it 3-4 years now. The two things that I’ve replaced were soap (just used a generic soap bar – half a year ago I switched to Dove Sensitive soap bar as it is what they recommended safe for baby skin at the hospital – looking up the ingredients it’s probably a good thing that it’s not in the EWG database) and another brand of Epsom salt. The other three ingredients were even the same brands what you’ve recommended. However, I couldn’t get my hands on the A&H Super Washing soda for quite a while now, so for the most recent batch I’ve ordered Simply Clean washing soda – which also claims to be 100% sodium carbonate. I’ve made a batch (half your suggested size) and started using it – and unlike any other time, the washing powder became a brittle cake. Even when I put it in warm water to dissolve it I have to manually break up the lumps. Any idea what could be going wrong? Could this be due to the changes related to Oxiclean? My first guess was the washing soda – but on it’s own it’s dissolve fine – and, if it is 100% sodium bicarbonate it should exactly match what we get in an A&H Super Washing Soda package… All the other ingredients, as per above I have used previously with no issues/residues. Now I’m a little worried about breaking our washing machine. I’d greatly appreciate any insight you may have what could have caused the trouble and if you have any ideas how to salvage the washing powder (tried to look back on comments both here and on the FAQ page but didn’t quite found a similar case.)
Also, somebody (I believe on the FAQ page) was asking about cloth diapers – for us, the previous batches worked perfectly, they removed stains & smell as well.
Thanks!
Bren
Tibor, that a mystery! It’s had to know what the cause it exactly. It could be ingredients or moisture. If I have clumps I regrate the detergent with my food processor or hand grater then store in an airtight container with a little mesh bag of dried rice or a few packets of silica gel (unopened) from a shoebox. If you live in a particularly humid location I recommend the silica gel packets. Hope this helps! -Bren
Amanda
My son has SUPER sensitive skin, so I’m trying to make things myself to be safer. Can I use this on whites and colors, I saw it had bleach so I just wanted to be sure before I ruin clothes😬 thank you!!
Bren
Amanda, the “bleach” in this recipe is oxygen bleach which is safe on colors and whites. Be sure to separate loads!
Tessa
So today I made the “sample” batch and I can’t wait to try it. I also tried out the microwave method I keep seeing online in place of grating. Well either I did it too long or it doesn’t work with Kirk’s brand. It came out brown and possibly burnt?? Eek. Do you think it will affect the end result? I started to throw it out and then hated to waste it so I made the mix with it anyways. I guess we’ll see!
Kate
This looks amazing thank you for sharing! As I step towards being greener (not totally there yet) I still have a number of non-cotton fabrics in my wardrobe. I’m wondering which fabrics (wool, cotton, acrylic, nylon, etc.) this can be used on?
Thank you again! Can’t wait to make it.
Bren
Kate, I use it on all my machine washables. However, if you are concerned about a particular item/fabric I would spot test to be sure.
Hubert
Hi Bren, love your recipes, I do the liquid detergent with Sal’s Suds (as I don’t have the appliances to make this cheaper powder detergent) and I love it ! I was wondering though, what are your favorite commercial powders/the A-graded powder you mention here at 21c/load? I would like to compare the prices with what the homemade liquid one costs (I’m in Canada, I feel like the prices of your ingredients and mine sometimes vary wildly) or just have a backup in case I didn’t have time to make homemade in advance and have urgent laundry to do. Thank you !
Bren
Hubert, my favorites right now are biokleen liquid, ecover zero liquid and grab green pods.
Peiting
Dear Bren,
Is it ok to leave out the oxygen bleach powders but add in hydrogen peroxide instead for brightening and disinfectanting the clothes during wash? Thank you.
Bren
I’ve never made the detergent this way. Let me know if you try!
Kasey
Baby Oxiclean is no longer rated A on EWG. I’m not sure why. I just wanted to let you know case you wanted to make an update. I really loved this laundry detergent, btw!!
Bren
Thanks Kasey! Time to start looking for alternated oxygen bleach powders!
Ann
Hi,
Is it possible to use Dr. Bronner’s Castile soap (or liquid castile soap) instead of grating the solid version?
Thanks for sharing!
Best,
Bren
Ann, you cannot use liquid castile soap in this recipe. You can use it in my liquid detergent recipe.
Lynda
Hi, I really appreciate your recipe, but in making my own detergent rather than buying a more expensive brand of natural detergent, I find there is a lot of plastic packaging involved in your ingredients.
It may not be possible, but I would like to see you tackle the task of making natural detergent without involving a lot of plastic waste. What do you think?
Bren
Lynda, I’m always trying to eliminate more plastics! I’ll let you know if I find new tips for this mix. My favorite tip right now: try buying your ingredients at a natural store where you can buy in bulk and refill your own containers.
Julie
Hi, I’m so excited to have found this recipe and can’t wait to try it. My question is this: I don’t have a scale to weigh the ingredients. Is it okay to approximate the amounts? Perhaps it’s just wishful thinking, but I think i could reasonably eyeball it based on the total weight in the package…? Thanks!!
Bren
Julie, I’m definately guilty of “Eyeballing” the recipe at times I don’t want to wash measuring cups! It has worked fine for me!