Did you know it takes just 4 simple ingredients to make this easy Homemade Laundry Detergent Powder Recipe? This is THE recipe you’ve been looking for, and it will save you so much money!
Laundry Detergent Powder Recipe
Are you ready to dive into making your own laundry detergent?
It’s actually SO much easier than you think, and you won’t even believe how much money you’ll save!
Carie writes: “I’ve been making this for years… it’s easy – everyone should. The savings is crazy!”
Here are the top tips for success you NEED to know before you make your own detergent at home…
Following is a Homemade Cleaner Recipe and guest
post by Real Creative Organized… 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. 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 Liquid Laundry Detergent.
I decided to make a Homemade Laundry Detergent Powder form of homemade detergent.
I had everything I needed on hand. So I hung up the phone and proceeded to make a small batch of homemade laundry detergent. I finally used the Fels-Naptha my mom gave me when I got married, 13 years ago.
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 below I was making the small batch. 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?
With this recipe for laundry powder, you’ll 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 DIY powder 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
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, Zote, or Ivory Bar Soap
- Super Washing Soda
For the large batch recipe, you’ll want to have a trash bag and large bucket on hand, too.
Trust me, homemade Cleaners Recipes like this easy washing powder will save you so much money!
How Do You Make Homemade Laundry Powder?
It’s actually so simple to make your own laundry powder! Here’s what you’ll do…
- Grate the Soap
- Mix the ingredients
- Use 2 tablespoons per load
So how EASY is that?!?
Can I Use Homemade Laundry Detergent in My HE Washer?
The key is to use a low-suds detergent in HE washers. I’ve personally been using homemade laundry detergent in my HE Washer successfully for years!
This homemade laundry powder soap is low to no suds, so it is safe for HE washing machines.
Where to Put Powder Detergent
- For a Front Loader: Sprinkle into the detergent drawer
- For a Top Loader: Add it to the drum before adding your clothes
What Do You Store Powder Detergent In?
Your DIY washing powder detergent can be stored in a variety of containers or dispensers.
- In the Cupboard: If you’ll be storing your detergent in a cupboard, you can use a durable plastic container with lid. Rubbermaid and Tupperware containers can work great for this.
- On the Counter: If you’ll be storing your detergent on the counter, a pretty glass container with pop-off lid can look lovely while being functional at the same time!
Homemade Laundry Detergent Powder Reviews
What Your Frugal Friends Are Saying About This Homemade Laundry Detergent Powder Recipe…
Monique writes: “I have been making for a long time. Cleans well and so much cheaper.”
Nani writes: “Works amazing.”
Jennifer writes: “Easy, economical and I loved the option of trying a small batch. Thanks!”
Debby writes: “It’s the best laundry soap I’ve ever used. And even with my family of 5, I only spend about $25 a YEAR on it.”
Tammy writes: “I find my clothes are much softer using homemade soap as well.”
Carie writes: “I’ve been making this for years…it’s easy – everyone should . The savings is crazy!”
Small Batch Homemade Laundry Detergent
- 1 Cup Borax
- 6 – 8 oz. Fels Naptha (you can even pre-treat stains with Fels Naptha!) – (6 – 8 oz. of Ivory soap can be substituted)
- 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.
What Does Borax Do for Laundry?
Well, put simply… Borax in homemade laundry soap helps to remove stains, brighten whites.
Large Batch Homemade Laundry Detergent
- 1 box Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (3lbs 7 oz)
- 4 pounds Baking Soda
- 65 ounces Borax (4lb 1 oz box)
- 3 bars Fels Naptha (5 oz. per bar, 15 oz. total) (or use 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.
Searching for more Easy Homemade Cleaners? Be sure to check out this Liquid Laundry Detergent, too!
Homemade Laundry Detergent Cost Comparison
To help you compare how much you’re spending on regular detergent vs. homemade laundry detergent, here’s what the cost was to make the LARGE batch:
- 1 box Arm & Hammer Super Washing Powder – $5.38
- 4 pounds of Baking Soda – $4.50
- 1 box Borax – $5.99
- 3 bars Fels-Naptha – $5.34
Total for large batch $21.21. If it lasts me my projected 6 months or 180 loads, that will be $0.12 per load!
Works for me!
K Coake is a 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 about scrapbooking, making cards, birthday parties for her girls, running, cooking, and all manner of fun things. You can follow along on Pinterest.
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So have you tried making this Homemade Laundry Detergent Powder recipe yet?
Leave a comment and share…
I seen several people ask without reply, so I’m asking again. Does anyone know how the powdered detergent works with septic tanks?
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)
Is the home made laundary detergent save for H E washers I would like to make the powder detergent ?
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.
Stephanie, you can use a bar of fels naptha for a stain stick. Just wet your stain and rub it with the bar.
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!
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!
The flakes sound like a great idea!
How many bars of soap should I grate if I am using “zote” soap?
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.
Deby- do you out the laundry soap in with the clothes or in the ‘detergent’ spot?
I add the detergent with my clothes. I am not sure if it would clog in the detergent dispenser.
What is Fels-Naptha?
A laundry bar soap find it in laundry aisle. Wal-Mart,dollar generals and some grocery stores.
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 🙂
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! 🙂
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.
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.
That’s a great idea to pre-grate the soap!
Great tip… thanks so much for sharing!
Is the homemade laundry detergent safe for septic tanks?
what about liquid laundry soap…any recipes yet
thanks
yaya
love your site
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!