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Homemade Laundry Detergent - HE safe - natural
  • Natural Home

Homemade HE Laundry Detergent Recipe (Laundry Soap)

Katie WellsFeb 6, 2017Updated: Oct 7, 2019
Reading Time: 6 min

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Wellness Mama » Blog » Natural Home » Homemade HE Laundry Detergent Recipe (Laundry Soap)
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • Laundry Detergent vs. Laundry Soap+−
    • Natural Detergent (That Works)
  • High Efficiency Safe?
  • Safe Laundry Detergent Ingredients+−
    • Borax-Free Option
  • Why Natural Laundry Detergent?
  • Laundry Detergent Ingredients…
  • Clean Laundry: Two Ways
  • Laundry Soap Ingredients
  • How to Make Laundry Soap
  • Natural Stain Treatment
  • Bottom Line: Which to Use+−
    • Simplest Natural Option
    • Inexpensive Natural Option
    • Favorite Pre-made Laundry Detergent Brands (More Expensive but Convenient!)
    • Best for Really Hard or Soft Water

Laundry detergent is an easy switch from store bought to homemade. DIY alternatives are often just as effective and much less expensive. I’ve shared my Homemade Laundry Soap but this variation is formulated for high-efficiency washers.

I first considered the idea of homemade laundry detergent when a friend’s mom made hers while I was visiting their house 15 years ago (wow, I just felt old!). Once I started doing my own laundry, I experimented with recipes for laundry soap. This HE version is an updated take on my original creation.

Laundry Detergent vs. Laundry Soap

It is important to note that laundry soap and laundry detergent are not the same thing. A soap is by definition a mixture of fats and oils with an alkali or base, like this recipe for crock pot soap that uses a mixture of olive and coconut oils with a lye and water base.

Detergent, on the other hand, is typically synthetic (at least partially) and is typically designed for a specific purpose, such as to dissolve even in hard water or cold water. Most recipes for “natural” laundry detergents are almost always talking about soaps, and recipes for actual detergents are seldom natural.

Since store bought versions are called “laundry detergents,” I’ve opted to call this tutorial a DIY Laundry Detergent recipe, though it uses a soap base.

Natural Detergent (That Works)

Detergents are designed to work in hot or cold water and to clean inside the fibers of clothes effectively. Depending on water quality, some people find that natural laundry soaps don’t work well on their clothes. Others may notice build up or a dingy color over time.

There is one natural cleaner (not technically a soap) that I’ve found is highly effective and that works as well as high-end commercial detergents. Instead of laundry soap, using 2 Tablespoons of Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds per load gets clothes really clean without the added fragrances and harmful chemicals.

High Efficiency Safe?

That is the question I’ve gotten the most in the 100+ comments on my original laundry detergent recipe tutorial. I don’t personally have a high efficiency washing machine but have heard from dozens of readers and friends who do and they’ve used this in an HE washer with no problems.

The main concern with a high efficiency washer is creating too much suds, so a low-suds soap or detergent is suggested. This recipe is low-suds by definition and should be safe for HE, but always check with the instructions that came with your machine to make sure before using.

Safe Laundry Detergent Ingredients

Many readers questioned the safety of Borax in my original recipe. After much research, I (still) feel completely comfortable using Borax in laundry soap and other uses that do not come in direct contact with food. Here’s my take on Borax but do your own research and make sure you are comfortable with it (or any ingredient) before using!

Borax-Free Option

A simple borax-free option (that doesn’t require grating) is:

  1.  2 Tablespoons Sal Suds
  2. 1/4 cup baking soda OR 2 Tablespoons washing soda (optional)

Just add those at the beginning of the wash cycle. For an extra boost, add 1/4-1/2 cup white vinegar to the rinse cycle. This step is entirely optional but seems to help keep clothes from pilling and looking worn.

Why Natural Laundry Detergent?

I switched to natural homemade laundry detergent/soap to avoid the harsh chemicals, fragrances, colors, and additives in many regular detergents. It turns out that homemade is also much less expensive and incredibly easy to make! I also started making my own linen spray.

Even if you’re just starting out with natural living and wouldn’t dream of making your own deodorant, laundry soap is a simple switch you can make without much effort and without expensive speciality ingredients.

Laundry Detergent Ingredients…

This homemade laundry soap recipe uses three basic ingredients:

  • Borax: A naturally occurring mineral- I get mine here.
  • Washing Soda: Also called Soda Ash, this helps remove oils and residue. Available at most local grocers or here.
  • Grated Bar Soap: Like Dr. Bronners or homemade. I now use this coconut oil laundry soap recipe for our homemade detergent. Many recipes call for Fels Naptha which works well but has some questionable ingredients so we avoid it. I personally think the coconut oil laundry soap works better anyway.

Optional Add-Ins: I’ve also experimented with adding Oxi-Clean or oxygen boosters to this recipe. I’ve found that they don’t do much good when mixed into the recipe, but can be great when added to especially dirty loads of laundry along with the homemade soap.

Another optional addition is essential oils for scent. I prefer lemon or lime essential oils added to the powdered recipe, though most of the scent is gone after drying.

Clean Laundry: Two Ways

This recipe can be made two ways: as a powder or a liquid. The powder is much faster to make and requires much less room to store, but the liquid is more effective for stain treating. The liquid also seems more effective for those with hard water.

I currently use the powdered version and use other natural products for treating stains (see below). Both recipes use the same natural ingredients, so just pick the one that is most convenient for you. This recipe is my powdered version, and the liquid version is in this post.

Laundry Soap Ingredients

  • bar of grated bar soap (homemade or natural store bought)
  • 1 cup of washing soda
  • 1 cup of borax (or additional washing soda)
  • 20 drops of lemon or lime essential oils
  • optional: 1 cup of oxygen booster (This one lasts us a year.)

How to Make Laundry Soap

  1. Grate the soap using a hand grater or food processor. Grate into fine particles so it dissolves easily.
  2. Carefully mix with the washing soda and borax (use gloves or a spoon as these can by drying if used directly on skin)
  3. Add essential oils and stir.
  4. Store in an air-tight glass jar.
  5. Use 1-2 tablespoons per load. Add 1 tablespoon of oxygen booster if needed… I use this on white loads.

Natural Stain Treatment

small Wellness Mama Stain Treatment Laundry Guide smallHomemade laundry detergent works well, but it won’t work as well as chemically formulated stain-release and cold water formulas from the store. I keep a variety of natural stain treaters in my laundry room and use them depending on the stain.

This post has the full list of natural stain treaters and a printable chart to keep in your laundry area.

I also keep a small bottle of diluted Sal Suds in my purse for immediate stain treating on the go and it has worked really well. Even on wine. And mustard. Or red clay from the baseball field. And… well, you get the idea.

Bottom Line: Which to Use

Confused by all the options above? Here’s a simple way to figure out which method will work best for you:

Simplest Natural Option

Want the fastest & easiest method with no extra work required? Do this:

  • Use 2 Tablespoons Sal Suds (here’s where I get it)  per load just like you would a regular laundry detergent
  • Add 2 Tablespoons washing soda or 1/4 cup baking soda if you want to for an extra boost (you can actually do this with any laundry soap or detergent)
  • If you’re feeling like an over-achiever, add 1/2 cup white vinegar to the rinse cycle.
  • Voilà! Clean laundry!

Inexpensive Natural Option

Want to save money and avoid the harmful ingredients lurking in many traditional laundry detergents? Use the Laundry Soap recipe above. Just note that it may not work for all water types and you may need to experiment with soap/washing soda combinations and ratios to find out what works best.

Favorite Pre-made Laundry Detergent Brands (More Expensive but Convenient!)

Homemade may be the least expensive way, but over the years as life has gotten busier, I’ve often bought my laundry soap. Here are some of my favorites:

  • My Green Fills Laundry Detergent – Smells fantastic, works well on dirt and stains, and cuts down on plastic waste with concentrated refill packets so you can reuse the same bottle.
  • Ecover Zero Laundry Detergent– Works well, relatively cost effective and low/no risk of developmental or reproductive toxicity and cancer according to the EWG.
  • Emma Eco Me Detergent – Also rated well by the EWG and cleans up to 64  loads for $12. Good scents.
  • Planet Natural Detergent –  Relatively eco-friendly and cost effective at $9 for 32 loads.
  • Branch Basics – Not only is this a great for laundry, it is also a basic cleaner that you can use around your house. Multiple functions in one!

Obviously, the most frugal option is to make your own, but these natural alternatives are a good choice if you aren’t able to make your own or don’t want to.

Best for Really Hard or Soft Water

If you have really hard or really soft water, the Sal Suds method above may be the best bet.

Do you make your own laundry detergent yet? Will you consider starting now? Share your experience and recipe if you already do! 

This homemade laundry detergent uses coconut oil soap, borax, washing soda, and optional essential oils to naturally clean laundry effectively. HE safe.

Category: Natural Home

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About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a wife and mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

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Reader Interactions

Discussion (198 Comments)

  1. Sarah Hamrick

    March 1, 2015 at 11:21 PM

    Katie, how many ounces of soap do you use per batch? The recipe says 1 bar. I just made a batch of the coconut laundry soap, and was wondering how to cut my bars the right size to get the amount of ounces needed for a batch. Should I make a 5 ounce bar like the Dr. Bronner’s bars? I just want to make sure I get enough soap in relation to the other ingredients. 🙂 Thanks!!

    Reply
    • Katie - Wellness Mama

      March 2, 2015 at 1:12 AM

      I use 1-1.5 ounces for this recipe so that size should be perfect.

      Reply
  2. Debbie

    February 26, 2015 at 11:03 PM

    Is this safe to use with a septic system?

    Reply
  3. Melanie

    February 12, 2015 at 10:48 AM

    I just wanted to comment on this. I made the powdered version and used for about a month in my HE washer then my washing machine started to leak water out the front. A repair main came in and checked my seal and there was a build up of the undissolved soap causing a leak. I recommend trying the liquid version in an HE washing machine.

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      February 12, 2015 at 12:47 PM

      You must have been using my regular dishwasher detergent. This HE recipe has not been up for a month yet 😉

      Reply
    • Nikeva

      April 16, 2015 at 10:03 PM

      My washer just started to leak today. I’ve been using the powder version of the detergent for almost two weeks. I need to switch to the liquid ASAP. It seems like the leakage is coming from a seam that’s on the front of the washer but below the door. I certainly hope I won’t have to incur a repair bill to fix this problem.

      Reply
      • Gabenthad

        June 7, 2015 at 7:42 PM

        Under the rubber seal on your door is a hole. This hole can become clogged, we had to take the rubber seal off and clean it out. We have a dog and cat and it gets clogged at least once every couple of months. Also when you open the door take a rag and wipe around the window. Hair gets stuck under there as well and ca cause it to leak. Hope this helps

        Reply
  4. Carleen

    February 11, 2015 at 8:39 AM

    I used to make my own laundry detergent with a similar recipe but eventually started buying free and clear stuff again-seemed to get smells out better, but I think I mostly just got lazy. I’ll be a new mom very soon so I’m thinking about giving the homemade idea another try. Do you know if this will work effectively/safely for cloth diapering? The special detergents recommended for cloth diapering tend to be expensive-it’d be nice to cut down on the cost!

    Reply
  5. Chris

    February 9, 2015 at 7:49 AM

    My daughter (6yrs old) has very sensitive skin. Will this be ok to use for her clothes. We currently have to buy “all clear” detergent.

    Reply
    • Katie - Wellness Mama

      February 11, 2015 at 9:04 PM

      One of mine has sensitive skin also and she has done fine with this one…

      Reply
  6. Mandie

    February 8, 2015 at 2:33 PM

    How diluted is your bottle of Branch Basics for spot treatments? I love this idea – Tide pens always worked so well; I was a little sad that I couldn’t use them anymore once I went natural. 😉

    Reply
    • Katie - Wellness Mama

      February 11, 2015 at 9:07 PM

      Typically 3 parts water to 1 part BB. On really bad stains I’ve used up to a 50:50 mixture if I was washing right away.

      Reply
      • Jennifer

        September 8, 2015 at 1:05 AM

        Do you still dilute 3:1 with the new 2X Concentrate? Or more like 6:1? Then instead of 50:50, wouldn’t it be 75:25?

        Reply
  7. judith

    February 8, 2015 at 1:56 PM

    Fels Naptha does not contain napthalene, as some bloggers have claimed. It might irritate your skin if you are washing your hands with it, but that’s not what it’s for. I use Fels Naptha bar soap as part of my home made laundry soap. I have an HE washer and have experienced no problems whatsoever with its ability to dissolve. If you feel strongly against using it, use Ivory soap in bar form instead. Here’s the recipe I have used for well over one year with excellent results:

    One four lb. box Baking Soda
    One four lb. box Borax
    One four lb. box Washing Soda
    three grated bars Fels Naptha soap (use a cheese grater)

    I store it in an old cat litter bucket with a tight lid. Use two tablespoons per load. Works well in cold water, which I use for jeans, sweaters, and dark items. Works equally well in hot water, which I use for sheets and towels.

    As far as HE washers “smelling bad.” Don’t shut the door when the washer is not in use. Use chlorine bleach occasionally (I use it for white towels and bath mats). This keeps your washer clean and is not corrosive. I have never had a problem with a bad smell emanating from the washer. Now, for heavily-soiled loads and sheets, I will add a small scoop of BIZ. I have no idea if this is natural and don’t want to know, because it works GREAT. For treating stains before washing, I have some WISK in a small squirt bottle that does the trick 99% of the time. For blood stains, I have some hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle, which I will apply two or three times before putting the item in the wash. I have NEVER had a blood stain not come out.

    I did not know vinegar was bad in a washing machine, and will stop my occasional use of it. I do like to put it in the “rinse aid” box on my dishwasher, however.

    Reply
  8. Donna

    February 8, 2015 at 12:24 PM

    Hi Katie, can HE soap be used in a regular washing machine? I love all of your emails. Thank you

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      February 10, 2015 at 1:22 PM

      I don’t think it would hurt, but you might have better luck with the regular stuff: https://wellnessmama.com/12217/homemade-dishwasher-detergent/

      Reply
  9. Jenn

    February 8, 2015 at 12:18 PM

    I have used this recipe only the liquid version with liquid Dr. Bronners and I wanted to love it but after a few months my towels smelled weird and so did my cloth diapers. I hated to go back to store bought but nothing I did cleaned them well enough. Any helpful suggestions?

    Reply
    • Katie - Wellness Mama

      February 11, 2015 at 9:09 PM

      Consider trying Branch Basics? I still use this detergent, but BB is the best ever for the diapers (and leaves absolutely no residue)

      Reply
      • Jennifer

        September 8, 2015 at 12:12 AM

        Katie, what do you use for fabric softener with branch basics? I’ve only washed 2 loads so far and the first one I didn’t use any softener, the second I used white vinegar in my rinse cycle. I recently got the starter kit and am just beginning with it, but I have noticed that my hands feel a lot dryer than normal…I wash my hands like crazy and usually I use Dawn with Hand Renewal because it’s the only soap that doesn’t dry my hands out from repeated washing. Have you noticed BB drying your skin? I was wondering if I need to start applying lotion every time I wash my hands. I want to try it as a body wash, but I’m scared that it’s not moisturizing enough for me. I washed my face with it last night and it felt dry as well. I really like it as a cleaner though, just not sure about for my skin.

        Reply
  10. jeanette

    February 8, 2015 at 11:30 AM

    I have very hard water in the country—I find that the laundry does not come as clean—what can I do
    Thanks

    Reply
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