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Typically – homemade laundry detergent isn’t the most popular solution for washing clothes.
This is probably because making homemade laundry detergent isn’t as easy as grabbing one of the 82 options available at the grocery store. And, frankly – the majority of people only associate the word “toxins” with hazardous chemicals such as formaldehyde, lead, and pesticides that are well known for wrecking havoc on the human body. So, why bother?
In reality, toxins are any substance that our body must detoxify – including everything from the caffeine in your cup of joe to laundry detergent you wash your clothes in.
In fact, modest estimates suggest we’re exposed to over 100,000 toxins regularly, which we absorb into our body through our skin, lunges, and mouth.[1]
Sound impossible? A recent poll found that the average woman applies 515 synthetic chemicals on her skin each day. Many of these chemicals, which are slathered on in the form of deodorant, skin moisturizer and face wash have been shown to disrupt endocrine function, and have been linked to infertility, reproductive health and birth defects. [2]
Perhaps the most abundant source of synthetic chemicals are the ones we call “cleaners.” Most products we store under the kitchen sink are adorned with skull-and-crossbones worthy warning labels because they are poisonous if ingested or applied to the skin. Ingredients in common household cleaners have been linked to a number of health problems, including skin sensitivities, allergies, hormonal disturbances, infertility – and yes, even cancer.[3]
That sounds like a lot of side effects in exchange for wiping the countertops.
In addition, there is no law that exists that requires cleaning companies to list ingredients or test their products for safety. The catch-all term of “fragrance” in your laundry detergent can be a combination of several hundred toxic chemicals alone.
If this just seems like a lot of bad news – never fear my friend. Simple, easy-to-make non-toxic recipes exist to keep your body, clothes, and household clean, and today – it starts with homemade laundry detergent.
Homemade Laundry Detergent
This homemade laundry detergent recipe uses four simple ingredients, and can be made in minutes. Because this is a very “low sud” detergent, it can be used for both regular and High Efficiency (HE) washing machines, saving you BIG money over high-priced “special” soaps that are sold for HE washers. (Note: I do not own an HE washing machine, so please test this out at your own discretion – and let me know about your experience in the comments!)
Ingredients
4 cups Washing Soda
4 cups Borax
2 (5 oz) bars of natural soap (I use Dr. Bronner’s Natural Castile Soap in Peppermint, Lavender, or Tea Tree)
1/2 cup Baking Soda
Optional:
20-30 drops essential oil (depending on your bar soap scent, lemon or orange are great options!)
Directions
Process the bars of soap in a food processor until ground finely. (Note: You’ll want to cut the bars of soap into smaller .5″ pieces before doing so.) In a large bowl or directly into your storage container, add the ground soap, 4 cups borax, 4 cups washing soda, and 1/2 cup baking soda and mix well. If adding optional ingredient, add drops of essential oil before mixing. Store in a closed container. For each load, use 1-3 tablespoons per load depending on how soiled (or sweaty) your laundry is.
If you use cold water frequently for your cycles, I recommend allowing the water to fill the washer first, and adding detergent. Then, add clothes.
BONUS! For an even lighter toxic burden, use white vinegar in the rinse cycle instead of fabric softener.
The Cost Analysis
Purchasing through amazon, I pay the following price for the amount of ingredients in the recipe:
Washing Soda: $4.48
Borax: $1.60
Dr. Bronner’s bar of soap: $3.50/each
Baking Soda: .78 cents
This is a total of $10.36 for my entire load. This recipe yields around 84 ounces, which comes to .06 per load (if using 1 tablespoon per load.) BOOYA!
If adding optional essential oils, it adds about a 1/4 cent per load.
Note: You can easily get all of these ingredients at your local grocery store for the same low-cost!
Additional Resources
If you are concerned about the safety of Borax, read this. Please note, borax is not boric acid.
Want to see just exactly how many chemicals you’re coming into contact with in your home? I highly recommend trying out the interactive “Everyday Exposure” learning game. I had just a little too much fun with it for quite some time. (I mean come on, that dog though…)
I also recommend checking out the Environmental Working Group’s Healthy Cleaning Guide which you can use to search the products you have now – as well as find ones that are the safer option for your home.
I’d love to know – how did this homemade laundry detergent work for you? Let me know in the comments below!
Live empowered,
Just made a batch of your laundry detergent this morning and I was pleasantly surprised by how well it works! I made a half batch using lavender soap and lemon essential oil and it took the stink right out of my dogs blanket and poo out of a baby onesie.
Keri,
AWESOME! I have to get the lemon oil…I haven’t tried that personally yet but I bet it’s a perfect combo with the lavender. Thanks for letting me know about it’s effectiveness on baby stinkies! 🙂
can this be used on HE washers?
Hi Letizia! Yes, this homemade laundry detergent is safe for HE washers. I don’t have an HE washer personally, BUT – I’ve heard it works well. It doesn’t “sud” at all, which makes it safe for HE washers. Hope that helps!
great ! Thank you!
Can Dr. Bronner’s soap in liquid form be used instead of his bar soap? If so, what amount should be used?
We wash in cold water only.
Hi Veronica! Actually, this is only meant to be a “dry” laundry recipe. Try this liquid laundry detergent from Wellness Mama. 🙂
Thank you for your note. What a great use of technology! I didn’t have to do anything, and up pops a response to my question from you. Thanks!
Hi Noelle!
Can I use unscented Dr. Bronner’s Bar soap?
Absolutely! Any scent will work!
Thanks so much! I’m going to try this and your toothpaste recipe this weekend! I have been using The Honest Company, which I love, but I want to learn to make my own.
Since using ‘green’ detergents (mainly Ecover) and less soap to wash the oils off our bodies, I have found that linen used regularly, in particular bed sheets, pyjamas etc seems to build up more oils so I’ve had to do periodic ‘chemical’ washes or chemical followed by rinsing these out with a ‘green’ wash. Has anyone had experience of this? I’ll give this recipe a go..
Georgina, I haven’t personally. Maybe add a little bit of extra baking soda to the wash? Let me know how this recipe works out if you give it a go!
I made my own laundry detergent with a recipe much like this one. I had the same problem, especially with my workout clothes-after a couple of months of use, the stink would not wash out of these clothes, even with using vinegar as a softener. I became frustrated and went back to Tide. I hadn’t thought of periodically using Tide, maybe every few weeks or so but sticking with the homemade version most of the time. Thanks.
For all of us who have HE machines, be aware that coconut oil and palm oil, both contained in Dr. Bronner’s soap, are high-sudsing components. Also, Dr. Bronner soap claims to be “pure castile”, but pure castile soap is, by definition, made with olive oil as the only fat.
Hi Mary! What has your experience been with using this homemade laundry detergent in HE machines? Thus far, it’s worked great for us and is not “high-sudsing.”
For HE Front Loaders is the measurement the same, 1-3 TBSP per load?
Yes! I would start small—just with 1 tbsp.
I began making my own laundry detergent 6 yrs ago. My only frustration is my blk or navy yoga pants will sometimes come out of the wadher with a white residue that easily wipes off but is annoying. Would filling my machine with the detergent and water first help my issue?
Yes, you need to use warm or hot water. If you need to use cool water, try a safe liquid detergent if possible! Something like Puracy Liquid Laundry Detergent (this is what I use now).