The Ultimate Guide to Homemade Laundry Detergent

With so many laundry detergent options in supermarket aisles, why make your own? The answer is simple: laundry detergents from many popular brands contain toxic ingredients like parabens, phosphates, and dyes. Also, these products often use undisclosed ingredients for fragrance.

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Of course, there are plenty of safe, sustainable options, but some folks find it more cost-efficient to make their own, without compromising on the cleaning power. Having a DIY laundry detergent also allows you to personalize the scent.

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Here are some recipes for making your own homemade natural laundry detergent:

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DIY Laundry Detergent Powder

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To make a DIY laundry detergent powder, you need 4 essential ingredients: baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, borax, and a gentle dish soap (preferably from a sustainable brand). While borax helps to absorb dirt, baking soda extends the life of your garments and neutralizes odors. If you'd like a personalized scent, you can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Just remember to store your homemade laundry detergent in an airtight glass jar and keep it safely away from kids and pets!

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How to make laundry detergent powder→

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DIY Liquid Laundry Detergent

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A homemade liquid laundry detergent offers another non-toxic alternative to store-bought products. You can make it using either grated and melted castile soap or liquid castile soap. This quick and easy natural laundry detergent recipe combines castile soap with washing soda and borax. Simply combine all ingredients in a large jar or bucket and let the mixture sit for 1-2 days before use. You can use unscented castile soap or choose a scented version for fragrance.

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How to make liquid laundry detergent→

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DIY Laundry Pods

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You can take your DIY detergent game up a notch by making your own laundry pods or tablets. While they may not look as polished as store-bought versions, they'll clean just as effectively. This DIY laundry detergent recipe includes castile soap, washing soda, baking soda, and Epsom salts. Simply pack these ingredients into an ice tray to form the pods. Adding vinegar helps bind the mixture together. After letting them harden for 24 hours, store your homemade natural laundry pods in an airtight container.

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How to make laundry pods→

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DIY Laundry Sheets

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If you travel a lot and still want to have your own homemade laundry detergent handy, you can convert it into laundry sheets. To make your own travel-friendly laundry detergent sheets, you need liquid castile soap and washing soda along with a tablespoon of vegetable glycerin or vinegar. You can also add essential oils for fragrance. Spread this mixture thinly on a parchment-lined tray, let it dry for 24-48 hours, then cut into sheets and store in an airtight container to keep moisture out.

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