How to Make Laundry Detergent: Clean Clothes, No Toxins!

Laundry detergent is a household essential, but have you ever stopped to consider what’s actually in it? Conventional detergents often contain skin-irritating chemicals, pollute our waterways, and arrive in plastic packaging that sticks around long after the soap is gone. With over 35 billion loads of laundry washed annually in North America, a staggering amount of detergent—and plastic—makes its way through our homes and into the environment.¹

Making your own laundry detergent is an easy, budget-friendly way to eliminate waste. A DIY batch can cost as little as $0.05 per load, compared to $0.20 to $0.50 for store-bought options. Plus, you get to call the shots on ingredients—no synthetic fragrances or harsh additives, just clean clothes.

Is Laundry Detergent Toxic?

The short answer is yes. Many conventional laundry detergents contain a cocktail of synthetic chemicals that aren’t just tough on stains—they can also be harsh on your skin, indoor air quality, and the environment.

What’s Lurking in Your Detergent?

Some of the most common (and concerning) ingredients in traditional detergents include:

Surfactants (like SLS & SLES): These help break down grease and grime but can also irritate skin and are often derived from petroleum.
Phosphates: Once common in detergents, these compounds can trigger algae blooms when they wash into waterways, depleting oxygen and harming aquatic life.
Optical Brighteners: These synthetic chemicals make clothes appear whiter by coating them in a residue that doesn’t remove stains but hides them. They can linger on fabric and cause skin irritation.
Fragrances & Dyes: A catch-all term for mystery chemicals, many of which can trigger allergies, disrupt hormones, or contribute to indoor air pollution.

Why Make Your Laundry Detergent?

If you’ve ever looked at a plastic jug of laundry detergent and thought, “There has to be a better way,” you’re right. Making your own detergent isn’t just a fun DIY project; it’s an easy, effective way to reduce waste, avoid unnecessary chemicals, and save money while you’re at it.

No More Plastic Bottles

Store-bought laundry detergents are almost always packaged in bulky plastic jugs, which are more likely to end up in a landfill than be properly recycled. When you choose homemade detergent, you can avoid the waste from plastic containers entirely. Instead, store your detergent in a reusable jar or container, cutting down on plastic consumption and helping to reduce landfill waste.

Non-Toxic Cleaning

Many conventional detergents are loaded with synthetic fragrances, dyes, and harsh surfactants that don’t just clean your clothes—they also stick around on fabric. These ingredients can cause skin irritation, allergies, and even disrupt hormones. DIY detergent lets you ditch the questionable ingredients and keep things simple with the essentials: effective, non-toxic cleaning without chemical overload.

Budget-Friendly

Laundry detergent shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg, but some store-bought brands charge premium prices for “eco-friendly” formulas that still come in plastic. The good news? A homemade batch can cost as little as $0.05 per load, compared to $0.20 to $0.50 for commercial options. That means you’re cutting down on waste and keeping more money in your pocket.

Customizable to Your Needs

Whether you have sensitive skin, hard water, or a preference for a certain scent (or no scent), DIY detergent puts you in control. You can adjust the formula to suit your needs—no mystery additives, no overpowering fragrances, just clean clothes your way.

Making your own detergent is a small change that can have a big impact on your health, wallet, and the planet. Plus, there’s something oddly satisfying about knowing exactly what’s in your laundry soap (and what’s not).

Essential Ingredients and Their Role

Washing Soda – Washing soda lifts dirt and softens water.
Baking Soda – Deodorizes and boosts cleaning power.
Castile Soap or Soap Flakes – The primary cleaning agent
Borax (Optional) – Enhances stain removal (with a note on alternatives for those avoiding borax)
Essential Oils (Optional) – For natural fragrance and antimicrobial properties

How to Make Powder Laundry Detergent

Ingredients

1 cup washing soda
1 cup baking soda
1 bar grated Castile soap (or 1 cup soap flakes)
(Optional) ½ cup borax
(Optional) 20 drops of essential oil (lavender, lemon, or tea tree)

Instructions

Grate the soap or use a food processor to get a fine texture.
Mix all ingredients in a large container.
Store in an airtight jar.
Use 1–2 tablespoons per load.

How to Make Liquid Laundry Detergent

Ingredients

1 cup washing soda
1 cup baking soda
1 bar Castile soap, grated
10–15 cups hot water
(Optional) Essential oils

Instructions

Dissolve the grated soap in boiling water.
Add washing soda and baking soda, stirring until dissolved.
Let cool, then add essential oils if using.
Store in a glass jar or repurposed container.
Use ¼–½ cup per load.

How Much Laundry Detergent to Use?

More detergent = cleaner clothes, right? Not exactly. Using too much detergent can actually make your clothes dirtier. Instead of rinsing away, excess detergent can build up on fabric, trapping dirt, bacteria, and even odors. Have you ever pulled clothes out of the wash only to find them feeling stiff or smelling off? That’s often a sign of detergent overload.

Recommended Measurements

How much you need depends on the type of detergent:

Homemade Powder Detergent: About 1-2 tablespoons per load.
Homemade Liquid Detergent: Around ¼ to ½ cup per load.
High-Efficiency (HE) Machines: Use half the amount since these washers use less water.

Adjusting for Water Hardness & Machine Type

Hard water: Minerals in hard water can prevent detergent from working properly. Add a splash of white vinegar to the rinse cycle or increase the detergent slightly.
Soft water: A little goes a long way! You may need even less detergent to avoid residue buildup if your water is naturally soft.
Front-load washers: These washers use less water, so you’ll need less detergent. Using too much can lead to excess suds and leave a sticky residue in the machine.
Top-load washers: A bit more detergent is fine since they use more water but still avoid overdoing it.

Shelf Life of Homemade Laundry Detergent

Homemade Powder Detergent: Lasts up to one year when stored in a dry, airtight container. Moisture can cause clumping, so keep it sealed and away from humidity.
Homemade Liquid Detergent: It stays effective for 3-6 months before the ingredients start separating or losing their cleaning power. Shake before use if separation occurs.

For the most extended shelf life, store your detergent in a cool, dry place and tightly seal the container.

Signs Your Homemade Laundry Detergent Has Gone Bad

Powder Detergent: If it’s clumpy or hardened, it has absorbed moisture, which can reduce its effectiveness. Store it in an airtight container to prevent this.
Liquid Detergent: Separation, an unusually watery consistency, or an off smell (especially in formulas with essential oils) may indicate it’s past its prime. Give it a shake—if it doesn’t mix back together, it’s time to make a fresh batch.

This Has Been About How to Make Laundry Detergent

Ditching store-bought detergent for a homemade version is a simple way to reduce plastic waste, avoid harsh chemicals, and control what goes into your laundry routine. Traditional detergents may clean your clothes but also pollute waterways and expose you to unnecessary toxins. With a DIY detergent, you get an effective, eco-friendly clean—without the plastic jugs and synthetic additives.

Beyond detergent, small swaps—like washing in cold water, skipping dryer sheets, and using a microplastic filter or a Guppyfriend bag—can further reduce your laundry’s environmental impact. Whether fully embracing DIY cleaning or starting with a homemade detergent, every step toward a greener routine makes a difference.

Even though this is a homemade laundry detergent, it’s important to keep it out of reach of children. Ingredients like washing soda and Borax can be harmful if ingested, so store your detergent safely, just as you would store-bought products.