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Homemade Laundry Detergent Powder Recipe! {Small or Large Batch}

September 10, 2012 By Heidi 48 Comments

I may get paid for ads or purchases made through links in this post.

Cut the cost of doing laundry when you use this easy Homemade Laundry Detergent Powder Recipe!

Homemade Laundry Detergent Large Batch Recipe

Following is a Homemade Cleaner Recipe and guest
post by The Real Thing with the Coake Family… enjoy!!

If you’re like me, you have read other posts about making your own laundry detergent.  I read them and I read how the people writing them said it was so easy to make.  But I didn’t believe them.  I guess I am skeptical, but it just seemed like it would be hard or time consuming to make your own Homemade Laundry Detergent Powder.

Of course for me, a project like this requires a call to my best friend to discuss it before actually completing the project, right?  Do you do that or is that just me?  My best friend had made her own detergent a while ago and had told me how easy it was.   I still didn’t believe it.

However, I chatted with her for a while about the concept. If you search the internet for laundry detergent recipes, you will find that there are two variations. There is a liquid form or a powdered form. Heidi has shared her liquid version here on The Frugal Girls: How to Make Homemade Laundry Detergent

I decided to make a Homemade Laundry Detergent Powder form of homemade detergent.  I had everything I needed on hand (I finally used the Fels-Naptha my mom gave me when I got married, 13 years ago), so I hung up the phone and proceeded to make a small batch of homemade laundry detergent.

Literally 10 minutes later, I was done and back on the phone with my best friend, telling her how crazy easy that was! She of course said something along the lines of, “I told you so.” But what are best friends for, right!?

Here’s what you will need to make your own powdered laundry detergent.  I’ve made two versions of this ‘recipe’.  A small batch and a large batch. The ingredients are the same either way.

How Do You Make Cheap Laundry Powder?

Grate your soap (Fels-Naptha in my case). It will look just like cheese, but it won’t taste like it so don’t eat it…hehe! I thought the soap looked too large and wanted it smaller so I made sure I got equal amounts in each load.

Put your soap in your food processor or blender. Blend to a fine or smaller consistency. Yes, it is fine to use a grater and blender that you will use for food again. Just make sure you wash them well. I thought it was weird and a little gross too, but this detergent is natural (except for the fragrance in the soap) so it won’t harm you.

Note: In the pictures above I was making the small batch and you see I have all the ingredients in the food processor. You don’t need to put everything in the food processor, only the soap. I just did everything the first time. For my large batch, we only processed the soap.

What is the Formula for Making Detergent Powder?

Mix all your ingredients together. If you are making the small batch, just put them in your container and shake. We found that for the large batch, putting all the ingredients in a trash bag and using my hands on the outside of the bag to mix things up worked well. Imagine mixing like you would if you were making shake and bake something, only on a larger scale. I think it would also work if you had a large clean bucket or trash can. You could use some type of large spoon to mix things up. I didn’t have any kind of large spoon, so the trash bag worked well.

Put your laundry detergent in whatever container you plan to use. You are done! That was so easy.

Use 2 tablespoons per load.

We have been using this laundry detergent for a little over a month now. It seems to work as well as what I was using in the past. To be honest, I really can’t tell any difference. I was using the Eco-friendly detergent from Costco in the past.

So I started with the small batch and usually do one load of laundry every day. The small batch lasted me 1 month. I just started using the large batch. I don’t know how long it will last yet. My guess is that it will last about 6 months.

This detergent is low to no suds, so it is safe for HE washing machines.

Homemade Laundry Detergent Powder Recipe

Related:

  • 50+ DIY Homemade Cleaners Recipes That Actually Work! {Surprisingly Easy}

What is Powdered Laundry Detergent Made of?

You’ll just need these few basic ingredients to make your own powdered laundry detergent…

  • Baking Soda
  • Borax Powder
  • Fels Naptha Soap {or Ivory Soap}
  • Super Washing Soda

How Do You Make Homemade Laundry Powder?

It’s actually so simple!  Here’s what you’ll do…

  • Grate the Soap
  • Mix the ingredients
  • Use 2 tablespoons per load

So how EASY is that?!?

How to Make Laundry Detergent with Baking Soda

Homemade Laundry Detergent Powder with Baking Soda

Homemade Laundry Detergent Powder with Baking Soda

Best Homemade Powder Laundry Detergent RecipeHomemade-Laundry-Detergent

Small Batch Homemade Laundry Detergent:

  • 1 Cup Borax
  • 6 – 8 oz. Fels Naptha or other soap
  • 1 Cup baking soda
  • 1 Cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
  • Grate the soap.
  • Put the soap in the food processor or blender and process to a smaller consistency(optional).
  • Add the additional ingredients. Mix.
  • Use 2 Tablespoons per load of laundry.

Large Batch Homemade Laundry Detergent:

  • 1 box Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (3lbs 7 oz)
  • 1 large box Baking Soda (4 lbs)
  • box Borax (4lbs 12 oz)
  • 3 bars Fels Naptha {5 oz. per bar, 15 oz. total} (or 15 oz. of other soap you prefer, like Ivory)
  • Grate the 3 bars of Fels-Naptha {or Ivory}.
  • Process them through a food processor or blender to a smaller consistency (optional).
  • Place all ingredients in a trash bag or large bucket. Mix.
  • Use 2 Tablespoons per load.

The larger batch cost:

  • 1 box Arm & Hammer Super Washing Powder – $3.15
  • 4lb box of Baking Soda – $2.12
  • 1 box Borax – $3.39
  • 3 bars Fels-Naptha – $2.91

Total for large batch $11.57. If it lasts me my projected 6 months or 180 loads, that will be $0.06 per load! Works for me!

Next, I’m going to make my own dishwasher detergent, so you can tune in at my blog The Real Thing with the Coake Family, if you would like to hear about that one.

K Coake is a 40 year old stay at home mom to two cuties who are 10 and 5. She loves running, reading, scrapbooking, Starbucks, hiking, cooking, picnics, pretending to be crafty, and having fun with her family.  She blogs at The Real Thing with the Coake Family about scrapbooking, making cards, birthday parties for her girls, running, cooking, and all manner of fun things.  You can follow along at The Real Thing with the Coake Family on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, or via your email or favorite reader.

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So have you tried making this Homemade Laundry Detergent Powder recipe yet?

Leave a comment and share…

Filed Under: DIY, Homemade Cleaners, Most Popular, Recipes

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Comments

  1. Christie says

    July 12, 2021 at 3:50 pm

    Just amazing! I will have to try this because I’m frankly so tired of wasting money on cleaning products. so thank you again!

    Reply
    • Heidi says

      July 12, 2021 at 4:12 pm

      Oh yes… you definitely should try making some. It’s amazing how much money this one simple trick will save! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Liz Collins says

    May 5, 2015 at 5:05 pm

    I’ve been using homemade laundry soap (liquid) for years and I love it. Yes its safe for septic tanks (that’s what we have) and it’s safe for HE machines. As for my dishwasher, I sprinkle baking soda on the open door and add a couple of drops of Dawn in the detergent cup. I use vinegar as a rinse agent and my dishes come out squeaky clean and grease free!

    Reply
  3. Hillary says

    February 2, 2015 at 10:55 pm

    I seen several people ask without reply, so I’m asking again. Does anyone know how the powdered detergent works with septic tanks?

    Reply
  4. Lj says

    July 27, 2014 at 5:38 pm

    Be very very VERY sure if you use the blender/processor for food it is pristine clean. Just because something is natural doesn’t make it safe. Washing soda has a pH of 11 which is harmful if ingested; not too mention Borax can also be used as a pesticide (says it right there on the box)

    Reply
  5. Amy says

    July 20, 2014 at 4:54 am

    Is the home made laundary detergent save for H E washers I would like to make the powder detergent ?

    Reply
  6. Stephanie says

    May 19, 2014 at 1:14 pm

    I put the dry ingredient detergent directly on my clothes of my front load washer. I also added a generous amount of Epsom salt to the mix as a softener AND I use vinegar (mixed with natural scented oil) into my fabric softener space.
    I will need to add a stain stick to my routine.

    Reply
    • Gwen says

      September 5, 2014 at 8:59 am

      Stephanie, you can use a bar of fels naptha for a stain stick. Just wet your stain and rub it with the bar.

      Reply
  7. Fran Brown says

    April 9, 2014 at 7:18 pm

    I made the homemade detergent. When I was looking for the Fels- Naptha soap, I found Zote flakes. Much better than having to grate soap! I love my homemade detergent!

    Reply
    • Gwen says

      September 5, 2014 at 9:02 am

      Fran I love Zote soap, but I haven’t seen it in flakes! Can’t wait to check my store for it! No more grating!

      Reply
  8. Sarah says

    January 8, 2014 at 8:29 am

    How many bars of soap should I grate if I am using “zote” soap?

    Reply
    • Deby says

      January 27, 2014 at 2:57 pm

      You should use 2 bars of “Zote” soap if you are replacing it for the Fels-Naptha. I prefer the “Zote” soap over the Fels-Naptha, myself. I love the smell. I use this recipe for my front loader HE washer. If you use vinegar in your rinse cycle you will notice that it will keep it much cleaner around your rubber gasket. I cleaned up around my rubber gasket prior to using this laundry detergent and started using vinegar in my rinse and I never get the build up around my rubber gasket anymore that front loaders are famous for. I will never go back to a store bought detergent again.

      Reply
      • Kendra says

        February 3, 2014 at 9:43 am

        Deby- do you out the laundry soap in with the clothes or in the ‘detergent’ spot?

        Reply
        • Deby says

          July 7, 2014 at 11:41 am

          I add the detergent with my clothes. I am not sure if it would clog in the detergent dispenser.

          Reply
  9. Alicia Lucy says

    November 16, 2013 at 6:53 pm

    What is Fels-Naptha?

    Reply
    • Amanda says

      July 7, 2017 at 6:15 pm

      A laundry bar soap find it in laundry aisle. Wal-Mart,dollar generals and some grocery stores.

      Reply
      • Esther S says

        January 7, 2021 at 7:30 pm

        For those of us who live in other countries, can someone please tell us the WEIGHT of the bars of soap you are recommending? That way we can find a healthy alternative without having the expense of having Amazon ship Fels Naphta overseas…
        Thanks 🙂

        Reply
        • Heidi says

          January 7, 2021 at 8:03 pm

          Hi Esther,

          Fels-Naptha is 5 oz. per bar, so if making the large batch you would need 15 oz. total. You can also substitute another bar soap if you’d prefer. Ivory is another common one we use. Hope that helps! 🙂

          Reply
  10. Maya O'Connell says

    November 15, 2013 at 9:05 am

    I make this laundry soap as well. I still have 8 children home and the large batch lasts about 3 months. I also add 2 containers of Oxy Clean Powder (store brand) as well. I use 1 – 1 1/2 Tbs per load and add 1/2 cup vinegar to the rinse cycle.

    Reply
    • Geneva Walker says

      December 12, 2014 at 11:03 pm

      I have been using a similar recipe for 3-4 years. I love the smell it leaves in my clothes.
      I grate the soap about a week before I am going to run a batch, the drying makes it cut finer when I put it thru my food processor.

      Reply
  11. Lisa says

    November 14, 2013 at 7:50 pm

    Is the homemade laundry detergent safe for septic tanks?

    Reply
  12. Lisa says

    November 14, 2013 at 7:48 pm

    Is the laundry soap/detergent safe for septic tanks?

    Reply
  13. YAYA GONZALES says

    October 9, 2013 at 10:58 pm

    what about liquid laundry soap…any recipes yet
    thanks
    yaya
    love your site

    Reply
    • Heidi says

      October 14, 2013 at 9:51 pm

      Aww ~ thank you, Yaya!

      If you’re looking for a liquid laundry soap, here is a link to my favorite Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent Recipe:

      https://thefrugalgirls.com/2010/08/how-to-make-homemade-laundry-detergent.html

      Hope that helps!

      Reply
  14. cora says

    July 30, 2013 at 2:12 pm

    hi i have came across great deal on powder laundry det.
    i was wandering if you can put in couple of scoops of det.
    and fill remainder with water in a plastic ccontainer
    shake it well to make your laundery det. last longer.
    and would it work just a good
    of course i know i made liquid verion of it

    Reply
  15. Aryn Canada says

    April 4, 2013 at 3:43 pm

    When you say “any other soap” what do you mean?

    Reply
  16. April says

    March 8, 2013 at 2:17 pm

    I HAVE BEEN USING THE LIQUID VERSION OF THIS FOR OVER A YEAR AND IT REALLY WORKS, I WILL NEVER BUY LAUNDRY DETERGENT AGAIN, THIS IS THE BEST RECIPE I HAVE EVER USED

    Reply
  17. Jessica says

    December 24, 2012 at 12:28 am

    I tried this and it works great even got my husbands gross military coveralls clean, but if I don’t put it on hot I get bits of soap stuck all over the clothes. Am I just not grating it enough or do you have to use hot water to get the soap bits to dissolve? I like that it’s cheap and doesn’t have all the nasty chemicals but I don’t want my electric bill to go up just because I want to make my own laundry detergent. Any suggestions?

    Reply
    • Amanda says

      January 4, 2013 at 6:01 pm

      Predissolve the 2 tbsp of detergent in about 1 cup of hot water and mix well. We had the same issue with an HE front loader and this method works fine. I still presoak even with this method.

      Reply
    • Rachel says

      March 31, 2014 at 2:51 pm

      Jessica, it sounds like your soap may not be grated to small enough pieces. The pieces in my detergent are real small. I put the soap in first and run warm water in just enough to soak the soap before I put the clothes in. I never get pieces of soap left on my clothes and it works wonderful!

      Reply
      • Gwen says

        September 5, 2014 at 9:12 am

        Jessica, I agree with Rachel that your soap may not be small enough. I chop mine in my blender, so it is very fine. I just use cold water and put my detergent in first with the clothes on top. I never have soap left on my clothes. I love this stuff!

        Reply
  18. alicia says

    December 2, 2012 at 6:07 am

    my question is.. did you put the dry version of the homemade detergent in while the tub was filling up with water? and does the felsnap (when made into little chunks) disolve quickly? so as not to have chunks stuck to the clothes?

    Reply
  19. Miranda says

    November 21, 2012 at 11:10 am

    I make my own laundry soap as well. But I use a “no grate” liquid recipe. I find that it works just as well and takes a lot less time to make:

    http://lifes-greatest-blessings.blogspot.com/2012/11/tutorial-no-grate-homemade-laundry-soap.html

    Reply
  20. Kristi says

    October 21, 2012 at 7:37 pm

    Can this be used in a front load washer?

    Reply
    • K Coake says

      November 2, 2012 at 1:07 pm

      I have been told, yes. I don’t have a front load washer, so I don’t personally know. But everything I have heard and read is that it is perfectly fine for a front load and/or HE washer.

      Reply
    • Carolyn Lanier says

      August 19, 2013 at 10:31 am

      I have a front loading washer, and I use about 2 tablespoons, I just throw it in with the load of laundry, and it does great. I have had this recipe for about a year.

      Reply
  21. Ruth Eubanks says

    September 19, 2012 at 9:21 am

    For your dry laundry soap I see that you also add Baking soda, other recipes I’ve seen do not call for Baking Soda and say “make sure you use Washing soda and Not Baking soda”. Is it o.k. to use both in a batch of powdered soap? Thanks

    Reply
    • K Coake says

      November 2, 2012 at 1:10 pm

      I’m using both and my detergent works fine. I think they are slightly different, though I know the box of super washing soda says it contains sodium bicarbonate(Baking soda). So, I’m not sure how they are different. Anyway, I am using both and it works well for us. I am a runner, so I have some pretty stinky clothes, so I figure the more baking soda the better. 😉

      Reply
      • Amanda says

        July 7, 2017 at 6:30 pm

        Typos..apologise for them . washing soda acts as cleaners,brightener a, baking soda a,deodorizer, low sudsing,
        Rinsed cleaner smells like nothing unless adding optional s.

        Reply
  22. Beatrice Nieves says

    September 14, 2012 at 2:40 pm

    My husband and son have sensitive skin. Currently I use any of the laundry soaps that are fragrance free, so my questions is can I use this recipe for their sensitive skin? If not do you know of a recipe that will work for me?

    Reply
    • K Coake says

      November 2, 2012 at 1:13 pm

      Yes, it would work great for sensitive skin. My recommendation would be to use a different soap, other than the Fels Naptha. You can substitute any soap that works for you or the sensitive skin and replace it for the Fels Naptha. I read about one mom using an organic all natural soap from whole foods that had no fragrance and no dye. Worked great for her. HTH

      Reply
      • CL says

        April 26, 2013 at 2:57 pm

        I have used Dr. Bronner’s castile soap (the bar version) for this because I love the smell of the peppermint version and figured I’d give it a shot. It’s a bit pricier than Fels Naptha, but still considerably less expensive than store-bought detergents…even the generics.

        Reply
      • Beth says

        January 16, 2021 at 7:22 pm

        You could use the ivory soap. However, I have made the liquid version of this recipe and used the Fels Naptha bar of soap and had no problems. My daughter and I both have sensitive skin and this does not bother us at all. I believe that it rinses cleaner than any store bought laundry soap.
        Be blessed!

        Reply
    • Anne Bratcher says

      November 3, 2012 at 10:00 am

      Or use the castile bar soap

      Reply
      • Paula Bunnell says

        April 16, 2013 at 4:48 pm

        where do you get the castile bar soap from

        Reply
  23. Janie says

    September 10, 2012 at 10:50 am

    HI! just wanted to add to your recipe… I used the smaller tub of OxiClean to this and a bottle of the Purex Crystals that were yellow… it works great and gives it a boost! I used a really fine blade on my grater to achive a really small grated soap, but I think your idea of the processer is great too.! I will try that next too!!

    Reply
    • Lori says

      September 29, 2012 at 2:09 pm

      Did you add a whole tub and whole bottle to the small or large batch?
      Thanks!!!

      Reply
      • Trice says

        December 12, 2012 at 9:33 am

        When I make it I add SEVERAL tubes (like 2-3) but I mke 8 pounds of homemade soap as a base. Laundry detergent day is a BIG DEAL in our house because it only happens TWICE A YEAR! Yippppeeeee! I make a tube that hold folders and fil-er-up batch by batch. As a Country-girl-wannabe I have become quite the creator of things like yourself. I really enjoyed your post. Well gotta go make some soap.(Slip-slidin-out)

        Reply

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Hey there... it's so nice to meet you! I'm Heidi: a Frugal Girl living in sunny Arizona! I love sharing Easy Recipes, DIY Decor, Style & Beauty Hacks, Gardening Tips, Travel Hacks, and Creative Ways to Live the Sweet Life on a Budget. I'm so glad you're here!
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