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The BEST Homemade Laundry Soap you can make with just three simple ingredients! This all-natural laundry detergent is perfect for sensitive skin and actually smells great! An easy homemade laundry soap that only costs pennies a load.

ingredients for homemade laundry detergent - washing soda, borax, and soap.

Making your own laundry detergent is a super simple way to get clean clothes at a fraction of the price as storebought. Even better, you’re cutting down on packaging waste by not purchasing new bottles/boxes every few months.

Does Homemade Laundry Detergent Really Work?

Yes! It works great and it is effective and super affordable. We have used this in traditional top loader washers as well as a HE washer. I will say that it works best in warm water, especially if using a HE washing machine.

Homemade Laundry Soap Supplies

You’ll need:

Super Washing Soda
Baking Soda
Borax (only about $5 in the laundry aisle of major stores)
Bar soap
{optional} essential oils
Mixing bowl
Measuring cups
Cheese grater
Spoon
Storage container

Various recipes suggest using Fels Nelpha soap, but I cannot stand the smell of it! We use whatever bar soap we have hanging around. Use a brand that you already know is sensitive enough for your family’s skin.

The dryer is often the number two user of electricity in American homes. For extra money and energy savings, we love to line dry our laundry outside whenever possible (we have this great retractable clothesline) and use these drying racks when the weather does not cooperate. Check out all my tips for line-drying laundry.

Pro Tips

If you want to make a bulk batch, I find using the grating attachment on my food processor makes super quick work of it.
Using warm water is best to help dissolve the grated soap.
If you want to use essential oils, use 30 drops of your favorite scent.