Last Updated on June 6, 2024 by Kiersten James
This easy homemade powdered laundry detergent has 3 ingredients and doesn’t require any measuring. Saves time, money, and trips to the store!
I don’t honestly remember where I found the recipe for this homemadepowdered laundry detergent because I’ve been using it for that long…I’m talking years.
Initially, I started making it to save myself some time running to the store with the amount of laundry I do.
When the pandemic hit and everything was out of stock for weeks on end, I realized that knowing how to make regular household items – like laundry detergent – has much more value than just saving time.
Tips For Using a Homemade Powdered Laundry Detergent
Warm water is necessary for the detergent to fully dissolve and activate.
For cold cycles, delicates, and dark colors: dissolve the detergent in warm water prior to adding it to the washer.
I have a top loading washer and dissolve 1/2 cup of the detergent in warm water. I then switch the cycle to “cold” after it dissolves and add the clothes.
If you have a front loader, dissolve the detergent in a separate bowl before adding to the washing machine with the clothes.
Scent Boosters
Some homemade powdered laundry detergent recipes add scent boosters directly to the detergent mix. I don’t do this in an effort to minimize use of artificial fragrances.
HOWEVER…
Essential oils alone were just not enough to make my clothes smell fresh. I also don’t like that they could possibly stain fabric.
The amount of essential oils required to produce a decent fragrance in a laundry load is more expensive than my entire 6 month’s cost to do laundry. SO…
When I wash bedding and towels, I run it on the hot/sanitize cycle and add 2 tablespoons of the Bounty Scent Boosters. I consider this a “scrunchy” aka sort of crunchy but has her flaws type situation.
You can completely opt to leave it out, I’m just being totally honest and feel like – as a psychiatric and oncology nurse for almost a decade – everything is okay in moderation.
Supplies You May Need
- Large mixing bowl or pot
- Box or hand grater
- Mixing spoon
- 128oz storage container with lid
- 1/2 cup measuring scoop to leave in the container
Ingredients
- 1 box Borax
- 1 box Washing Soda
- 1 Dr. Bronner’s Unscented Baby Castile Soap bar
How to Make Homemade Powdered Laundry Detergent
Grate the Castile soap bar using a box grater or hand grater into a large mixing bowl.
Add the entire box of Borax and the entire box of Washing Soda.
Use the back of a mixing spoon to break up any clumps from the Washing Soda.
Mix contents together until well blended and smooth.
Store in a glass or PET plastic 128oz container.
Add 1/2 cup of powdered laundry detergent to every wash cycle.
More Homemade Cleaning Recipes
Non Toxic Reusable Disinfectant Wipes
All Natural Bathroom Freshening Spray
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