This best homemade laundry detergent recipe is super simple to make and saves us a lot of money per year. You’ll only spend $21 to make enough to use for up to one year!
Call me weird, but I genuinely enjoy doing the laundry. There’s just something so satisfying about seeing empty laundry baskets—it feels like I’ve already checked off a major task for the day.
But let’s be real—laundry detergent is expensive. At the time of writing, my previous detergent cost $33 for just 110 loads. And since I’m doing more than one load a day (because, well, I have a baby, I’m always covered in something, and we have three dogs), I easily average 8 loads a week.
I was shocked when I realized that over the course of a year, I do more than 384 loads of laundry. That adds up to nearly four bottles of detergent—over $120 a year just on detergent alone. And that’s not even counting the cost of fabric softener, dryer sheets, bleach, water, and electricity. When you add it all up, laundry could be costing you around $300 a year.
That’s when I knew something had to change. I started digging into ways to cut costs and eliminate unnecessary laundry expenses—and I found some pretty effective strategies.
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Ways to Save Money on Laundry
Over time, I’ve picked up some awesome tips that have helped me cut down on laundry costs—without sacrificing clean clothes.
One of my favorite hacks is using dryer balls instead of dryer sheets. I found a pack of reusable, eco-friendly dryer balls for just $4 at Marshalls. They fluff clothes beautifully, which means I no longer need to use fabric softener. Plus, they help clothes dry faster, which shaves dollars off our electricity bill. Win-win!
I also discovered an incredibly easy homemade powder laundry detergent recipe—and honestly, I’m obsessed. It costs around $21 to make, lasts us a whole year, and it tackles tough stains like a pro. Our clothes come out smelling fresh, too.
While there are a lot of liquid detergent recipes online, I found most of them a bit too complicated and ingredient-heavy. Once I crunched the numbers, it became clear they weren’t the most budget-friendly option.
This powder detergent recipe I’m using is not only super simple to make, but it also performs just as well (if not better) than the expensive store-bought versions I used before.
The Best Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe
Now, onto the recipe and, I repeat, it’s really super simple.
Ingredients
Washing Soda 55 ounces / 3.53 lbs
Oxyclean 7.22 lb
You can substitute this with Borax but while Borax is a great stain remover, I’ve read it is not recommended for sensitive skin. Since I have a baby here, I decided to use a more baby-friendly ingredient.
2 Bars of Fels Naptha
Directions
First, grate the Fels Naptha bars in a bowl using a cheese grater.
Then, add Oxyclean and the washing soda into the bowl. Mix and voila, you already have a stain removing detergent!
How much does it cost per load?
As of writing this, these are the Amazon prices of the following ingredients:
Washing Soda- $4.12
Oxi Clean – $12.98
You can buy the 7.22 lb box here.
Fels Naptha – $2.08 each x 2
Total: $21.26
So, this jar full of detergent lasts us a full year as you’ll only have to use two tablespoons of detergent to clean a small- to medium-size load. You may need twice for big loads. Each load only costs between 4-8 cents!
I would love to hear from you!
What do you think of this recipe? Are you interested in making a homemade laundry recipe!
Christine
Awesome! I can’t wait to try this recipe. I have used a homemade liquid detergent for years and have thought about switching to a powder. Thanks for the recipe!
Jane
Hey Christine, thanks for stopping by! I hope you’ll love this recipe.
Lucia Harris
Can you use in HE washer?
Dorothy
Yes because it does not sud up like other detergents that are not he.
Debbie
What happens if we can find that bar of soap ? And can we put fabric pods in it too
rebecca
i have made homemade laundry soap and all the recipes ive made isnt sudsey enough. Ive used 4 bars of soap. what can i do?
Kaitlyn
This worked great! I only used one bar of soap since I was in a rush since there was a stain waiting for me (our puppy had a #2 accident on the bed) but one bar worked fine. I’ll be adding the second because I love the smell of the soap lol. We had planned on switching to powder detergent since the pods are so expensive and won’t work on a mattress so luckily I had all the ingredients waiting for me. This worked great at getting the stain out. And we’re so looking forward to saving the extra cash! Great recipe thank you!!
Krystena
What size scoop are you using to measure out the amount per load?
Missy
Does this work with front loading machines and does it keep dark colors bright over time?
Yvonne
What did you replace the Fels Naptha with?
Jane
Hi Yvonne, you can simply omit Fels Naptha and just mix the other two ingredients, as I’ve read it “collects” soap scum in the clothes. I’ve used this recipe (with Fels Naptha) for quite sometime now and it’s worked really good and I love it. It smells really clean and good.But I use the mix sans Fels Naptha for expensive clothes.
Lauren
Just ordered my supplies! For a front loader, do you put the detergent right in the washer or can you still use the drawer that takes the liquid detergent?
Jane
Hi Lauren! I just put the detergent directly in the washer 🙂
Tabby
Hello! I was just curious what size box or tub you use to store the detergent?(: I’m about to order my supplies and wanted to go ahead and order that too!
Jane
Hi Tabby, I didn’t buy my detergent container. I bought a huge jar of pickles from Costco a long time ago and saved the container for the detergent. You can find awesome air tight jars here
Jenn
How many cups does the mixture make? So I know what size container I need…
Barbara
Good luck trying to find washing soda in the states at least.
Bri
You can get washing soda at Walmart arm & hammer make it and you can also buy it on Amazon
Terri
Walmart. Tho I don’t like going there.
Jeannine J Cox
you can make washing soda, preheat oven 400- put baking soda in large pan, get all the lumps out with your hands spread it out evenly- now put in oven for 1 hour. Stir 3-4 times during baking time. it doesn’t matter if you leave it longer, you can’t over bake it. As soon as it comes out of the oven, put it in a container with a lid.
Michelle Windle
Got all of mine off Amazon & Walmart I’m in the states
SM
I find it in the cleaning supplies isle, close to laundry soap. I’ve also swapped it out for a giant box of regular baking soda and it worked well, Good luck to you.
Brittany Torres
How much of this are you using per load?
Lori
2 Tbsp for a small-medium load, more for a larger load
Queenkelz
I made this yesterday and my daughter in law tried it last night and I tried it today and so far so good we love it. Thanks for the recipe
Serena
Hi! I am wondering if this clumps if I don’t have an airtight container to store it in. Thanks!
Jane
Hi Serena, I stored it once in thin plastic containers that are not airtight and it was ok. Didn’t clump. But I recommend using airtight containers most especially if you are living in a humid area.
Kelsey
How much of all supplies do you use?? The whole box of washing soda and whole box of oxi clean? And how big are your boxes
Heidi
Trying this for the first time today. I made something similar yrs ago and loved it. Lasted our family of 7 six months. I used this recipe today and also added 2 lbs baking soda to it. No scent booster cause i want to see how i like it first without it.
Taylor
Would it be ok to use an all natural laundry bar instead of fels naptha?
Jane
YES! All natural laundry bar is great too!
Carol Flint
How much do you use per load?
Lori
2 Tbsp for small-medium load; more fore larger load
Texas Nana
I dont care for the smell of the bar soap you use inthis recipe and substitute zote bars instead (two bars per recipe.) I used borax with no skin sensitivity noted by me or my allergy sensitive daughter. Twelve dollars make 2 gallons of powder. I preferr a finer poeder and used ny blender to make a finer powder .Just blederized powder for 4-5 secongs every 1.5 cups. ) . I use a tablespoon per regular load and two of realy soiled.
Christine
The washing soda makes me itch along with the borax what can I use instead. Please reply.
Jane
Sorry for this late reply, Christine. Borax does the same to me. It’s the reason why I didn’t use Borax for this homemade laundry detergent because I have a toddler with sensitive skin. I highly recommend using Oxyclean instead of Borax
Michelle
Would this be OK for newborns?
Jill
Can I add laundry scent beads to this?
Jane
I’ve not tried it but I believe you can. Just make sure to store the detergent in an airtight container and keep in a cool place. 🙂
Jill
Thanks!
Elizabeth
Can this recipe be used to make laundry tabs by adding vinegar?
Julie
How much do you use per load? Thank you so much!!
Lori
2 Tbsp for small-medium loads; more for large loads
Valerie L Kotrc
I have made this and works wonderful. I did add the scented beads to it along with a 1/2 container of OxiClean. 1-2 Tablespoons per load and you’re off the to races.. Works Great!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kay Schuler
I have used a recipe almost identical to this for years and love it! I wouldn’t go back to store bought for anything. My teen daughter that is allergic to almost every brand in the stores can easily use this. I also use it in a front load machine (Missy) without issue. I just put it in with the clothes instead of the top cup. It tends to get crusty with any powder soaps so I just make that alteration and it works great. I also love a few drops of Dawn liquid for set in grease stains. A few drops, rub a bit and drop it in the wash. It works fabulously!
Jane
Adding a few drops of Dawn liquid is a great idea! Thanks!
Shelly
What is it that you use in your laundry soap cuz I have cancer and very sensitive skin and my son has psoriasis so is their a different way I can make it?
Diane Harroff
I have made this recipe and found that I can put whatever bar soap I use in the microwave for a minute or two, and it kind of foams up and becomes very crumbly. Then I simply crumble it up into the mix. Works great and saves my arthritic hands from the grater.
Ana
How much detergent do you use per load?
Lori
2 Tbsp for small-medium load; more for large load
Linda
Can I use essential oils in the recipe to boost the smell? Or, has someone already tried this…..would like your opinion.
Jane
Hi Linda! Yes, you can. I use essential oils as well and it works wonders!
Jamie
Do you add essential oil to the entire amount when you first make it, or are you adding the drops per load as you do laundry?
Tanis
Looking forward to trying this. Would you get the same results by omitting the oxyclean? I plan on using Sunlight laundry bars instead of the Fels Naptha. TIA.
Beckie
What is everyone using now that Fels naptha has been discontinued?? Kirks Castile is available but doesn’t get the job done very well. Looking for ideas. TIA
MacKenzie
Zote Brand bar soap is what I’ve always used!
MacKenzie
I just wanted to let you know that I have been using this recipe for over 2 years now and I absolutely love it! I refuse to use anything else as it doesn’t compare! I do however use the Zote brand laundry soap bars.
Vira
I made an eighth of the full recipe to try it (didn’t want to waste ingredients in case it didn’t work well). Well, I liked it so much that I just made a whole big container of it. I also added about 50 drops of Lemon Essential oil to it this time. It works well and I feel good about the ingredients. I’ve been looking for a natural laundry detergent for a while and now I can stop looking! Thank you so much for this!
Sommer
How big of a container do you need?