If you’ve been looking to simplify your laundry routine with something natural, effective, and gentle on your home and skin—you’re in the right place. Today, I’m sharing a simple DIY natural laundry detergent recipe that you can completely customize to fit your needs and your favorite scents. Whether you want something unscented, baby-safe, or infused with lavender and lemon, this recipe has room to make it your own.

Wood spoon mixing laundry detergent ingredients in white bowl

Why Make Your Own Laundry Detergent?

There are plenty of reasons to switch to a homemade option:

You want to avoid synthetic fragrances and harsh ingredients.
You’re tired of spending money on overpriced “green” brands that still sneak in questionable stuff and cost a lot!
You love the idea of putting together something that actually works and smells amazing.

Plus, it’s fun. You can make a big batch in 5–10 minutes and customize the scent and ingredients based on what you have on hand.

DIY Laundry Detergent Recipe

Laundry detergent ingredients in boxes: borax, baking soda, castile soap, epsom salt, washing soda

From above. Silver and wood measuring cups of all white ingredients for laundry detergent on a blue tile backdrop

Laundry Powder Ingredients

1 cup grated soap bar (or 1 cup soap flakes)
1 cup washing soda (sodium carbonate)
1 cup baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
½ cup borax (optional, but great for whites and odor-fighting)
¼ cup Epsom salt (for softness + mineral boost)
20–25 drops essential oils (optional for scent)

How to Make

Grate castile soap bar. You can use a box stile grate or a crank. Be sure to grate as fine as possible. I run mine through the rotary grater twice. This helps the soap not get stuck to the inside of your washing machine. This is CRITICAL! Big soap flakes won’t dissolve all the way and can gunk up your machine. If you find it getting gunky, run 1 cup of vinegar through a cleaning cycle.
Mix everything together in a large bowl and store in an airtight container.
Add in optional essential oils last.
Use 1–2 tablespoons per load.

Crank style grater grating castile soap — Grate Soap Bar

pouring baking soda into container — Grate Soap Bar

Herbal Essential Oils to Try

Add essential oils for a subtle, natural scent and extra benefits. Here are a few favorite combos:

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The 15 Minute Homestead Routine (for busy days).

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Fresh + Clean: Lemon, eucalyptus, rosemary
Calming Linen: Lavender, chamomile, vanilla
Uplifting Citrus: Sweet orange, bergamot, peppermint
Woodsy + Grounding: Cedarwood, sage, lavender

Make it your own or switch it up seasonally!

How to Use It

Add 1–2 tablespoons of the detergent directly to your washing machine drum. If you’re handwashing or working with delicate fabrics, start with 1 tablespoon and see how it goes.

pouring 2 tbsp laundry powder into washing machine

Storage

Since this recipe is dry and doesn’t contain any water, it stays fresh for a long time—usually 6 to 12 months, if stored properly. Just make sure you keep it in an airtight container away from humidity (a glass jar or repurposed food-grade container works great).
Bonus points for a cute label and scoop! I am currently using a metal tin from Walmart.
If you add essential oils, the scent may fade over time, but the cleaning power will still be there. You can always stir in a few fresh drops every couple of months if you want to revive the scent!

cute laundry detergent container (white metal tin) next to a plant

Herbal Laundry Tips

If you’re feeling extra herbal, here are some easy ways to go beyond essential oils:

Toss in a muslin bag of dried lavender or lemon balm with your laundry.
Use a homemade vinegar rinse with herbs like rosemary or mint for extra softness and scent.
Choose a soap bar that’s already infused with herbs (like calendula or chamomile).

FAQ + Troubleshooting

This is probably the most common question I hear about homemade laundry detergent—and it’s a valid one! Most issues arise when people use too much detergent, don’t grate their soap finely, or don’t account for hard water. Here are a few tips:

Use just 1–2 tablespoons per load (you don’t need more!).
Grate your soap finely so it dissolves easily, especially in cold water.
Run an empty hot wash with vinegar once a month to keep your machine fresh and buildup-free.

This powdered detergent is low-suds, which is exactly what HE washers need. Just be sure to add it directly into the drum, not the dispenser drawer, so it dissolves properly.

Borax (also called sodium borate) is a naturally occurring mineral that’s been used for over a century as a cleaning booster, laundry whitener, and general household helper. It’s especially good at cutting grime and deodorizing.

But here’s where things get confusing:
Borax is natural—but that doesn’t automatically mean it’s non-toxic. Just like baking soda or vinegar, it’s safe when used correctly, but it’s still a strong cleaning agent. You wouldn’t want to eat it or leave it where little kids or pets could get into it.

Many natural-living folks (me included!) still choose to use it in small amounts in things like laundry detergent, especially since it rinses clean and doesn’t linger on clothes. But if you’re not comfortable with it, you can totally skip it in this recipe and still get great results.

If you prefer to avoid it or want a more sensitive-skin version, just leave it out—the baking soda and washing soda still do a great job on their own.

Homemade detergents tend to be more neutral in scent, especially if you’re used to strong artificial fragrances. You can boost the scent naturally with essential oils or add a vinegar rinse with herbs or citrus peels. And remember—clean laundry doesn’t have to smell like anything to be fresh!

Yes, just skip the essential oils. Always test on yourself before trying for baby.

Not quite. You’ll want to stick with a pure, low-moisture soap that doesn’t have added lotions, moisturizers, or heavy oils. The best choices are:

Castile soap (like Dr. Bronner’s)
Kirk’s Original Coco Castile
Fels-Naptha (a classic for laundry)
Homemade cold-process soap with minimal extra oils

Soaps that are made to be super moisturizing—like Dove, Olay, or other creamy body bars—can leave residue on your clothes or in your machine. Look for firm, clean-rinsing bars, and go for fragrance-free if you have sensitive skin or are washing baby clothes.

This homemade laundry detergent is one of those small swaps that adds up over time—not just for your health and wallet, but for the mindset shift that happens when you start making simple, homemade things that work.

Let it be easy. Let it be yours. And enjoy laundry without the worry of harsh chemicals. ✨

three natural cleaning supplies on a wood table

Ready to Go Non-Toxic for all Your Cleaning Needs?

All Natural Cleaning Supplies are easy to make at home using what you have on hand! Creating your own natural cleaning routine can be a fun and creative way to get started on your non-toxic journey. This post is made so you can ditch harsh chemicals step-by-step.

Close up of white powdered laundry detergent in a white bowl with a white scoop. Text says DIY laundry detergent- super easy non-toxic recipe!

Brittany wearing a big hat. At the kitchen table working with herbs and potted plants

About the Author

Brittany Gibson is a modern suburban homesteader and the founder of The Homestead Challenge. She empowers women to adopt a simpler, more self-sufficient lifestyle, feeling confident to grow, create, and thrive on their own terms with joy and balance.

Read more about my transformation and join me in building our lives from scratch.

Contact Brittany

white bowl of white laundry detergent on blue backdrop.

DIY Natural Laundry Detergent Recipe

This east natural powder laundry detergent is non-toxic and effective for your natural laundry routine!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 7

Equipment

1 Grater Box or Rotary Grater
1 Air Tight Storage Container

Ingredients

1 cup grated soap bar
1 cup washing soda
1 cup baking soda
1/2 cup borax
1/4 cup epsom salt
20-25 drop essential oils optional

Instructions

Grate castile soap bar. You can use a box stile grate or a crank. Be sure to grate as fine as possible. I run mine through the rotary grater twice. This helps the soap not get stuck to the inside of your washing machine.
Mix everything together in a large bowl and store in an airtight container.
Add in optional essential oils last.
Use 1–2 tablespoons per load.

Notes

Lasts 6-12 months in airtight container.

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