Baking soda
3% hydrogen peroxide
Borax
Gentle dish soap
These simple ingredients are the backbone of our homemade laundry detergent. I love how easy it is to find them at any grocery store, and they’re usually already sitting in my pantry. Baking soda and borax are natural powerhouses for cleaning, while hydrogen peroxide tackles stains like a champ. A gentle dish soap, like Dawn, rounds it out by cutting through grease. Together, they create a detergent that’s tough on dirt but kind to your wallet and the environment.
Instructions for Making Homemade Laundry Detergent
Here are our experts’ steps for making homemade laundry detergent:
- Begin by boiling 8 cups of water.
- Next, add 2 cups of borax and 2 cups of baking soda.
- Dilute 1 cup of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide with 2 cups of water; add to mixture.
- Add 2 cups of dish soap and another 8 cups of boiling water.
- Once the mixture is well dissolved, you can choose to add in an essential oil (about 50 drops). This will personalize the scent of your detergent, says Kathy Cohoon, a cleaning expert and the director of franchise operations at Two Maids.
- Let your homemade laundry detergent cool down to room temperature. It will thicken into a white powder consistency.
- Finally, store your detergent in an airtight glass jar and away from pets and children.
I’ve made this recipe a few times, and it’s surprisingly straightforward. The boiling water helps everything blend smoothly, but don’t rush the cooling step—it’s key to getting that powdery texture. If you’re adding essential oils, lavender or tea tree are my go-to choices for a fresh, clean scent. One tip: use a large pot to avoid spills, as the mixture can get a bit foamy. Also, borax and baking soda are mildly abrasive, which is why they’re so good at scrubbing away dirt, but they dissolve safely in water, so no worries about residue if you measure carefully. A quick cost breakdown—I spent about $10 on ingredients for a batch that lasted me months, compared to $15 for a single bottle of store-bought detergent.
How to Use Homemade Laundry Detergent
For standard loads, add 1 tablespoon of homemade laundry detergent. Up that to 2 tablespoons for heavily soiled laundry to remove excess dirt—but don’t overdo it. “Using too much laundry detergent can leave a residue in the fibers of your clothing,” Balanzat notes. “It is important to not overuse laundry detergent, as it can create a surplus of suds, leaving your clothing oversaturated.” And if you also want to soften your fabrics as you wash them? Try our recipe for homemade fabric softener (our formula also whitens, brightens, and reduces odor using all-natural ingredients).
I learned the hard way that less is more with this detergent. The first time, I got a bit heavy-handed and ended up with sudsy clothes that needed an extra rinse. Stick to the recommended amounts, and your clothes will come out fresh and clean. For tough stains like grass or grease, I pre-treat with a dab of dish soap directly on the spot before tossing it in the wash. The hydrogen peroxide in the mix is a natural oxidizer, which is why it’s so good at lifting stains without harsh chemicals. If you’re washing in hard water, consider adding a pinch more baking soda to soften it up and boost the detergent’s effectiveness.
How Long Homemade Laundry Detergent Lasts
According to Cohoon, homemade laundry detergent will last for about six months at maximum efficacy when stored properly. “DIY laundry detergent contains powders like borax and baking soda which have a longer shelf life,” Balanzat adds. Of course, how long your batch lasts also depends on how regularly you do laundry and the amount of people in your home. Our mixture can last up to one year for a small family or a couple who does one load of laundry a week; larger families will likely use it up within six months.
I’ve found that storing the detergent in a glass jar with a tight lid keeps it fresh for ages. I keep mine in a cool, dry cupboard, and it’s still going strong after six months. The key is to avoid moisture, as it can cause the powder to clump. If you’re curious about shelf life, borax and baking soda are stable compounds, so they don’t degrade quickly, but hydrogen peroxide can lose potency over time, which is why the six-month mark is a good rule of thumb. For a family of four doing three loads a week, I’d estimate this batch saves about $30-$40 a year compared to commercial detergents.
The Benefits of Making Your Own Laundry Detergent
While there are plenty of shoppable laundry detergents on the market, using a homemade mixture has its benefits—starting with the fact that it’s both effective and cost-efficient. Commercial cleaners can be expensive, especially if you have to buy extra-large iterations for your family (and you know how fast it goes). Making your own detergent also makes laundry time more eco-friendly since it reduces the amount of plastic purchased and disposed of. In addition, you have full control over the formula, which is a major plus if you have sensitivities or skin allergies. “Many laundry detergents that can be purchased in the store have synthetic fragrances and chemicals,” Balanzat says. “A huge perk to making your own laundry detergent is that you control what ingredients are being used.”
I switched to this homemade version because store-bought detergents were irritating my skin, and I’ve never looked back. Beyond the cost savings—think $0.10 per load versus $0.50 for commercial brands—it’s satisfying to know exactly what’s in the mix. The environmental impact is huge, too; I’ve cut down on plastic jugs, which feels good when you see how much waste piles up. Studies show that households can go through 10-15 plastic detergent bottles a year, so this DIY approach really adds up. Plus, customizing the scent with essential oils makes laundry day feel a bit like a spa experience!
When to Use Store-Bought Laundry Detergent
A homemade mixture is effective, but it isn’t necessarily formulated for certain materials, like silk, explains Cohoon. “When in doubt or dealing with specific fabrics, store-bought could be the better option,” she says.
I’ve stuck with this homemade detergent for most of my laundry, but I keep a small bottle of store-bought for delicate fabrics like silk scarves or wool sweaters. Those materials need gentler, pH-balanced formulas to avoid damage. If you’re washing vintage or high-end pieces, check the care label first. Also, if you’re dealing with a high-efficiency (HE) washer, this recipe works fine, but double-check that you’re using the right amount to avoid suds buildup. For specialty items, I’ve found that a store-bought detergent formulated for delicates gives me peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is borax safe for laundry?
Yes, borax is safe to use in your laundry. As long as you are not ingesting it and it’s safely out of reach of children and pets, borax is safe to use as directed, including in homemade laundry detergent.
Is powdered laundry detergent bad for your pipes?
As long as you use the correct amount of powdered detergent per load, powdered detergent is safe for your pipes. There is always a slight increase of clogged pipes with powdered detergent over liquid detergent, but these risks are mitigated if you use the right dosage.
Borax gets a bad rap sometimes, but it’s been used in laundry for decades and is perfectly safe when handled properly. I always make sure to store it high up where my kids can’t reach it. For pipes, I’ve never had an issue with this recipe, but I’m careful to measure precisely. If you have older plumbing, running a hot water cycle every few months can help prevent any buildup. Another pro tip: if you’re in a hard water area, a water softener can make both homemade and store-bought detergents work even better, reducing strain on your pipes.
