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Why Homemade Laundry Detergent Rocks!
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Frugal Dad recently wrote a post about why he doesn’t make his own laundry detergent. He wrote that there are some things he refuses to give up, and store bought laundry detergent is one of those things. To his credit, he correctly stated that frugality is an individual thing, tailored to each person’s priorities in life.
I, on the other hand, proudly make my own laundry detergent. While saving money on homemade laundry detergent is nice, it’s not the only reason I take the time to make it.
I Know What’s In It
I have two children. I have sensitive skin. Too many times I’ve bought detergent that irritates somebody’s skin. By making my own detergent, I control what goes into it. There are no unnecessary perfumes. The detergent is as strong or weak as I make it. The first time I made homemade laundry detergent, I put too much Fels Naptha soap into it. The second time, I cut it in half, and it was perfect. My clothes were clean, and my skin wasn’t irritated.
Do you ever wonder why new mothers are encouraged to wash their babies clothes in pure soap, rather than laundry detergent, for the first month? It’s because laundry detergent is harsh. And if it’s harsh on skin, it’s probably harsh on clothing, too.
I try to take this attitude in all areas of life. I make dinner from scratch, because I know what goes into our bodies that way. I don’t want to be eating dinner made of stuff I can’t pronounce!
It Gives Me a Sense of Accomplishment
Instead of running to the store to buy something my family needs, making it from scratch serves as a reminder that you don’t need to buy something for every need you have.
Too often in our society when we need something, break something, lose something, (insert your reason here), we run to the store to purchase a replacement. Making my own laundry detergent reminds me that often what I need is at my fingertips, if I use a little creativity.
The other day I was making crockpot macaroni and cheese. Too late, I realized the recipe called for two eggs, and I didn’t have any. Instead of piling the kids into the car to run to the corner (and expensive, I might add) market, I thought about what else I could use as a binder. I ended up using a little corn starch and water, and it turned out just fine.
Making my own laundry detergent is just one step in my effort to see what I can reduce, reuse, recycle, or do without.
It’s All About Attitude
I like knowing that I’m able to do things that companies tell me only they can do for me. I make laundry detergent, household cleaners, and even my own mochas. I somewhat enjoy going against large retailers and doing things myself.
I’m not a total killjoy, though. There are things I splurge on from time to time. Clothes, dinner out, and yes, every once in a while a mocha from Starbucks. But I know when push comes to shove, if the economy tanks and we’re in a dire financial situation, I know how to do for myself.
Homemade Detergent & Cleaners Recipes
Simple Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe
If you’re interested in making your own laundry detergent, my favorite (and the easiest) recipe is for powdered laundry detergent.
- Grate 1/2 bar Fels Naptha soap (or you can try other soaps) in a food processor.
- Add 1 cup Borax,
- 1 cup Washing Soda, and,
- 1 cup Baking soda.
- Process until mixed.
That’s it. It takes 5 minutes. Use about 2 tablespoons per full load of laundry. You’ll be surprised at how little detergent it takes to get your clothes clean!
Simple Homemade Bathtub Cleaner
My favorite bathtub cleaner is super-easy, too. Besides being easy, it works better than a lot of commercial cleaners!
- Put 1/2 cup regular Dawn dishwashing liquid (or 1/4 cup of the ultra kind) into a spray bottle,
- Fill the rest with white vinegar.
- Give it a good shake to mix and you’re ready to go!
Now you can spray it on the bathtub and wipe off. It’s as easy as that!
If you find you enjoy making your own cleaners, there are tons of cleaning recipes on the internet. Just google “homemade [insert whatever you want to make]“, and you’re sure to find tons of options!
(Photo: Lall)
{ 57 comments, please add your thoughts now! }
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I thought about doing this, but I calculated the costs with shipping and it wasn’t cheaper. I guess if Fels Naphta and washing soda were available in the stores, that might be a different story.
You can use Classic Ivory soap or another light or no scented soap instead, just use the whole bar. Also, soda ash is the same thing as washing soda and can be found in stores that carry chemicals for pools. It’s just sodium carbonate. Hope this was helpful.
I found the washing soda in a major grocery store- you dont need to use the fels naphta soap you can use a mildly sented soap like dove or ivory. keep looking for the soda- i live in a very small town in Alaska and was able to find it-
I assume you have a separate “food” processor for this?
It is soap! You are probably cleaning the processor!
Wasn’t there a Borax Laundry Detergent you use to be able to buy?
I have found the Fels Naptha is both local supermarkets & drugstores, but I did have issues finding the Washing Soda, so I called Arm & Hammer. Actually, the parent company is called Church & Dwight Company, Inc.
The toll free number is (800) 524-1328… give them your zip code and they’ll tell you what stores to find it in & of you are too far away, they’ll send it to you.
Good luck!
I couldn’t find Fels Naptha anywhere, but I found a bar of Zote laundry soap at Target that I’m pretty sure will work just the same — It’s on my list to try very soon!
I also use Fels Naptha for posion ivy outbreaks! Its very handy to have around.
We keep lye soap on hand for poison ivy, and it also works great. I’m wondering how it compares to the Fels Naptha and if it (lye soap) could be used for homemade laundry detergent. Does anyone know?
Two things–I love fels namptha–I even took a bar of it with me to Africa last year not knowing what their detergents would be like. That said, does your detergent recipe work in front loader washers? I think my washer is supposed to only use liquid detergent. Has anyone tried it?
Second thing… any way I can get your slow-cooker mac and cheese recipe? That sounds YUMMY!
I can’t bring myself to make my own soaps. I have sensitive skin and I have to use the “Free and Clear” brands of detergent, I would hate to change what works, in fear of hives. I definitely agree that making dinner from scratch is the best thing you can do for your family.
Try some goat milk soap. It is very good for sensitive skin.
I started making my own laundry soap over a year ago and haven’t stopped. It lead me to making my own soap from scratch for bathing. I am obsessed with soap! I still have a lot of Fels Naptha (purchased on ebay)which I use for the clothes. When that runs out I’ll use some of my handmade soaps that didn’t turn out right. I cannot find laundry bar soap in my area, except for some made in Brazil and it doesn’t smell as nice as the Fels or Zote.
I buy the washing soda at the supermarket, the Borax at Wally world or Home Depot and it works out great. I don’t have a food processor, I use a cheese grater when my arm gets tired I make my husband do it
@FW – Coming to this post late, but yes, Zote would work fine. The original recipe actually called for any bar soap, but I like the power of Fels Naptha.
@Jessica – I don’t know if it would work in a front loader or not. It doesn’t create suds, so it wouldn’t be a problem from that standpoint. But I don’t know enough about front load washers to be sure. Also the mac n cheese recipe can be found on allrecipes.com. It’s called “All Day Macaroni and Cheese.”
@Chuck – I actually use my regular food processor and just wash it in the dishwasher. I haven’t died yet.
I, too, have been making my own soap for more than a year and don’t think I’ll ever go back to buying it. I use exactly the same recipe Lynnae wrote about in her post. I do have a front-loading machine and have never had a problem. There really aren’t any suds with this recipe. My clothes come out smelling clean, but not perfumed.
I use Castille soap instead of Fels Naptha. I’m curious what purpose you feel baking soda plays in your recipe. I make a liquid soap so I use several gallons of water and the process is different but, with the exception of the baking soda, the ingredients are the same. I can’t figure what the baking soda does for you that washing soda doesn’t. Just curious.
Did you ever get an answer to this? I was also wondering what baking soda did.
Baking soda changes the ph of the water allowing any soap to do its job better. I used to add it to all of my laundry loads and it can be used as a basic ingredient for many household cleaners.
The Washing Soda (Sodium Carbonate) already raises the pH.. It is also sold as “PH Up” for swimming pools..
I clean my entire house with household cleaners and I must say they are great. I currently use an environmentally friendly laundry detergent and I really should switch to a homemade recipe like the one you describe. I know with making cleaners, it’s so much cheaper than buying them and work just as well if not better.
i was thinking of doing this (homemade laundry soap) and mentioned it to my mother. she told me that people have had health problems related to borax. mostly just if allergies already exist or asthma. other sensitive systems. have you heard or experienced this? just wondering. if there’s not truth to that, maybe i’ll consider this again.
ps. a similar recipe also will work in your dishwasher.
I make my own soap too. I had a hard time finding the Fels Naptha soap, so I subsituted ivory bar soap. I use roughly the same recipe, only I leave out the baking soda. I works wonderfully. I have sensitive skin too, and I switched from the “free and clear” stuff to this. I even wash my newborn’s clothes with my home-made soap. I’ll never switch back.
Enviromental FYI: Fels Naptha Soap is not environmentally friendly as it contains something called “Stoddard solvent” which is a petroleum derivative. Here are some Wikipedia links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fels-Naptha
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoddard_solvent
Hi, ‘dageek’! Since naptha, borax, soda are NOT organic, does that mean that I should NOT recycle my wash water on lawn? I don’t have any vegetables on my yard, just grass,few flowers.
I used to recycle all wash water when I used bio-digradable detergent.
I suppose if borax and soda break down naturally, it isn’t a problem. But borax is organic as it is dug out of the ground. I was just pointing out for those people that care, that homemade stuff is not necessarily better than store-bought stuff.
I love the homemade soap and have turned alot of my friends and relatives to it. In a five gallon bucket I have about $2.50 in it and it lasts me 6 months. I spent way more than that on store soaps. I have found some Lavender Ivory that makes an awesome soap. If you find this you must try it.
Corinnea, I to started making homemade laundry detergent in a 5 gallon bucket. My son love’s it and it is cheaper than buying in the store. I love how you can change the soap to different scents as you make another batch. Will not go back to store detergent again.
I made the homemade laundry soap with these ingredients and it turned out fine with one exception. It cleans well, but I am having a problem with any of the synthetic fabrics that we wash in it. They do not smell clean at all. They look fine and clean, but the smell is a musty kind of smell. Anyone have suggestions about that? (I am rinsing with white vinegar, and have tried baking soda to no avail.) I am afraid to use more of the mixture in the wash due to the Borax. My washer is Australian-made and is designed to save water, so I’m afraid the Borax won’t completely rinse if I use too much of the homemade soap. Anyone else have similar problems or better yet, a solution? Thanks!
SW, i have the same kind of washer – New Zealand i think it is made in. I have not noticed the smell issue at all, but i am using fabric softener in the rinse. I do find a musty smell if i leave the items in the washer too long when their done though
forgot to add – i made the Duggar’s version listed below – it is a liquid.
Thanks cali! I may try it again and use a different soap base this time and see if that helps.
I asked earlier about if it would work in a front loader. I need a low-suds liquid or it’ll muck up my machine.
I found a recipe in Jim Bob Duggar and Michelle Duggar’s new book “20 and counting” about their large family. They included a low-suds liquid detergent, so I’ll put the recipe here for others in my place with finicky machines.
1 bar fels namptha, grated.
1 cup washing soda
1/2 cup borax
Grate the soap bar into a small saucepan and cover with water. Heat and stir until the soap completely dissolves.
Put the washing soda and borax into a 5 gallon bucket, pur in the hot, melted soap mixture. Stir well until the soap powder dissolves. Fill the bucket to the top with hot water.
Stir, cover securely and let sit overnight.
Mix equal parts soap concentrate and water in a smaller container, and shake before using.
For front loaders, use 1/3 cup per load, and for top loaders use 1 cup per load.
I am wondering if there is a recipe for homemade laundry soap WITHOUT the use of borax, as I have heard it can be dangerous (allergies, asthma, pets, etc…)
You don’t have to use Fels Naptha soap you can also use Zote soap which is also a washing soap. While searching the internet I seen that people also use just plain bath soap in their recipes, so I think it’s a personal choice. Also you can omit the borax if you have issue with it, it’s simply a cleaning booster, you may have to add more soap to your wash is all.
I feel silly for not knowing that you can make homemade detergent. I can’t wait to try the “recipe”. I’m actually excited.
I found this when looking up homemade laundry detergent, I just made my first batch
Anyway, reading your thoughts I also realized that sometimes not only do we sometimes get robbed of creativity but we are almost on auto-pilot in life, for me, it never occurred to me that you could make laundry soap, you just go to the store and buy laundry soap! I had never thought that you could use vinegar for just about a million things instead of toxic chemicals, and for only pennies. Until my son got an egg allergy I didn’t realize how many things you could use to replace eggs in a recipe, no more running to the store for eggs for me either 
Sometimes it’s hard to break out of the cycle of life where you do what you do because it’s what you always did. It’s just laundry soap but it’s really a metaphor for so much more.
Laura,
I would like to discuss your: “It’s just laundry soap, but it’s really a metaphor for so much more.” If you are agreeable, kindly send your email address and we’ll get the ball rolling. I would rather not clutter this web site with a philosophical conversation. My email address is tjagninski@yahoo.com
Tom
Clutter away!
Hi, I live in Denmark.
I wanted to make my own laundry detergent, but couldn’t get the fels naptha bar.
I called the institut for consumerproducts in DK to see if the could come up with a soap like it.
The woman from the institut was very helpfull and wanted to look into it.
She called me back and from what she could read from files about the fels naptha it contains among other things – terpentine!!??!!
So i had to find another soap, of course Idon’t wan’t to was my kids close in that, then I could just as well continue with conventional laundry detergent.
So I found this soapbar totally organic
http://sonett.eu/1eng/spotre.htm
I use 1 bar pr. 2 cups of washingsoda.
Just use the foodprosser to grate soap and put aprox. 2 tsp. of water (so it dosen’t dust) when it’s fully grated add the washing soda.
I dont use any perfumed oil like lavender, but that is optional.
I use 1 tbsp. pr. load and if laundry is very dirty 1,5 tbsp. NOTE. this soap works best with hot water and not silk and wool.
It works fantastic and the laundry is so soft even if I airdry it outside.so since I started using this soap, we haven’t used fabric softner.And we even have “hard water”.
Please bear with me if my spelling is hopeless im after all, from Denmark;0)
I use it in a frontloader. It works fine;0)
Kristen, I “love” you typed with an ‘accent’! Please don’t appologise.
I also liked your use of “Sonett” soap! And for same reasons you mentioned!
Now I can’t find it via ‘net’ search! Had problems finding “Fels Naptha”. Bought 5 bars at $1.19 at Krogers.
Do you have any suggestions where to find Sonett in Dallas, Texas? (hugz)
Hi Leo:)
Being from dk..I could only find theese links as I, of good reasons don’t shop around in Texas;0)
Online shop
http://www.novanatural.com/s.nl/it.A/id.1338/.f
list of organic shops in texas- they might be able to get the soap?
http://www.organicfacts.net/organic-stores/organic-stores/organic-food-stores-in-texas.html
Hope you can use theese links
And happy laundry detergent-making
Kirsten:0)
I did a calculation on the possible cost price.
arm and hammer washing soda 3 lb box 2,49
you only use 2 lb= 1,66
gall soap aprox 4,50
cost 6,16
Price pr. load (I get 121 loads by 1 tbsp.dose)
6,16 /121 =
ups sorry forgot the load price:) =
0,05 dlr.
Ups again major mistake, sorry it’s early morning here in DK:)
Forgot 1 gall soap in calculation but could not delete the posting….?
washing soda 1,66
2x gallsoap aprox 9
cost 10,11
121 loads(but try it out with your water in US)
10,66 devided by 121= 0.08
Kristen, since I can’t find any of your soap bar locally, have checked every whereever I shop. I found a laundry soap bar made with, …
1. Coconut oil; (like Sonnet)
2. Tallow soap; (like Sonnet)
3. Sodium Silicate;
4. Sodium Hidroxide;
5. Abietic Acid;
6. Sodium Chloride;
7. Sodium Lauryl;
8. Either Sulphate;
9. Coconut Fatty Acid;
10. Diethanolamide;
11. Prefum and Dye.
I still have a lot of “Fels Naptha” detergent, but, shall make another batch with this new soap called “Lirio” made in Mexico and weights 400g, about $.85 .
PS. Also found a bar of “ZOTE”
Shall report on it’s use.
A friend told me she had some t-shirts with ‘ring-a-round the collor, spots on front and could not remove with her detergent. I just layed it on flat surface, rubbed a bar in four directions of “Fels Naptha” soap (after dipping it in water). Didn’t even rub it between my hands. Threw them in washer, came out perfect! Now she wants to use the formula for ‘home made laundry detergent’.
Lrod in Dallas
Hi,
I’d recommend using recipes that doesn’t call for Borax, use baking soda instead. Also I use my homemade soap in the detergent.
There are at least 4 reasons to use Baking Soda and not Borax.
1. Borax is very toxic/poisonous.
2. If you have hard water the baking soda will act as a water softener. Nullifying the need for the Borax, even though Borax works best in soft water.
3. If you are using a gray water system, the Borax will kill your plants. Even though the water is filtered.
4. If you are using a septic system the Borax will kill the micro-organisms necessary for your septic system to function properly.
I think it past time hat we gave our ‘new’ love a name!
Read someone referred to it as ‘like snut’! Not arguing with that, but, too good for such a name. How about “Fels-a-tergent”, Jel-a-tergent, “Iva-tergent”? Anything but, “snut-a-tergent”! (wink)
Help! I am out of control!
I have developed a new habit of going straight to detergent section of every new grocery store I visit. If I find a new bar of laundry detergent,…..I buy it! So far I have 5 different names.
Here is where I lost it. I have 3 different 5 gal. buckets half filled homemade laundry detergents! I am running out of buckets! I don’t “need” this many! Another thing, there are only two of us in household, so I don’t wash that often! LOL!
I live in Dallas, do you need someone to make your detergent? Think I need to get it out of my system.
my mother makes goats milk soap and she puts alot of different scents in them.
Does anyone have any opinions on soaking and rinsing laundry? Let’s take rinsing first. For many years I washed my clothes, all cotton, in liquid soap rather than detergent because it was easier to get the soap out. Now that washing soap is almost impossible to get, I use detergent and wash by hand so I can rinse in hot water, as commercial washing machines rinse in cold water, which I understand prevents the cotton fibers from releasing the molecules. For that to happen you have to use hot water, and if anyone has a chemical explanation why this is so I would be interested to hear it. From my experience, if you place a cotton shirt in hot water after it has been washed by a commercial machine you will see detergent come out, and the hotter the water the more of it. FYI I had a cousin who sold washing machines and I asked him if there was a machine on the market which you could program yourself, all the ones I have seen rinse in cold water. He said one manufacturer did make such a machine, but stopped because consumers were not interested in programming. Actually there is a way round this, which is to use one of those top-loading machines that draw water from taps in the kitchen sink. When I had access to one I would do several cycles with only the hot tap open, one cycle with soap added, the others without as rinses. Upon drying in the sun the towels were so detergent-free they were almost stiff, which was a real discovery. Now for the subject of soaking. Soaking was brought to my attention in a book by Slavenka Drakulic, a Croatian journalist who writes for the London Guardian, and who like Laura on this site combines practicality with philosophy. In the course of describing her life Drakulic mentions her grandmother’s advice to soak sheets for the night before laundering them. I now do this with all my laundry, including white towels and underwear, which I soak in cold water with a bit of bleach added, and I think that makes washing easier. Would it be better to use hot water? For washing, I use the Arm & Hammer perfume-free detergent and although I use very little I still find it takes many rinses to get the detergent out, though never all of it. They recently increased the concentration, not sure what for, unless it is a marketing ploy. People will still use the same amount, but because the concentration is higher they pay more for it. From talking to one manufacturer I gather they are aware people habitually use too much detergent. In any case, soon all that will be in the past, now that I have discovered this site, thanks to its contributors I will make my own washing soap.
Just wondering about the hot water rinse—I don’t know if it would work, but…….what if you switched hot and cold water connection hoses–it would mean you would have to re think the programming of your wash cycle, as hot would be cold and cold would be hot.
Sue, I like your idea.
I often rinse my clothes with warm water. They do seem to be cleaner when I do, plus they dry faster.
I use a slightly different recipe and wondered if you thought it was too concentrated.
1 bar felsnaptha
1 1/2 C borax
1 1/2 C washing soda
Put in 5 gallon bucket and mix with hot water until dissolved.
I use 1/3 per load. This seems to be twice the strength at least that the Duggars use. What do you think?
Nicole, I made mine that way once and tried using 1/6 cup instead of 1/3. It doesn’t work. That version is just too concentrated and it forms into a nasty sticky lump that you practically have to carve pieces off of. Use the same ingredients, but make 10 gallons.
Good luck,
Jessica