Easy, DIY Laundry Detergent: It's Simple To Make, So Inexpensive, & It Works!

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Last updated on May 5th, 2026 at 05:06 pm

I recently took the plunge and tried a frugal experiment I’d been thinking about for awhile. Some of you may want to try this one yourself. I’m talking about trying a DIY laundry detergent!

It was incredibly easy and very inexpensive. I’m wondering now what took me so long to try it.

I used a simple three-ingredient recipe I found online for a powdered detergent. The liquid ones seemed like too much work, but this recipe is as easy as mixing together dry ingredients in any baking recipe. If you can mix flour and sugar, you can do this!

All of my ingredients cost about the same as just one bottle of good quality liquid detergent, but should last for several months, may-be longer.

The recipe I used only requires two tablespoons of detergent per large load, since it’s so concentrated. By the way, all the ingredients were available at my local grocery store.

So far, after several loads of laundry, this detergent’s doing a great job for me. It smells like “soap” but the clothes come out of the washer with almost no scent.

If you’d like to add scent, you can use dryer sheets or liquid fabric softener. Many people with sensitive skin like this detergent because it is free of artificial dyes and fragrances. And, I should mention my family’s clothes are coming out clean–may-be even a little brighter than before.

If you want to save money–and you can save quite a bit–don’t be afraid to trying making your own laundry detergent. It is so easy!

DIY laundry detergent

Mix together:

1 cup Arm & Hammer (or other brand) washing soda –not baking soda
1 cup borax
2 cups (or approximately 1 bar) very finely grated Fels Naptha laundry bar — some people prefer Zote brand soap

Use two tablespoons for a large load (adjust for smaller or less soiled loads of clothes).

I found all these products at the end of the laundry area in the grocery store. They are also available in Walmart. My parents are giving this a try too, and they found these products at Ace Hardware.

Update: I have been using this detergent for years, which tells you I’m very pleased with it.

I hope you’ll consider giving this DIY laundry detergent recipe a try. It’s so easy to make a part of your routine, and you’ll feel great when you get to walk past those expensive detergents in the laundry aisle.

Also read: Make Your Own Foaming Hand Soap: Easy & Thrifty

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DIY laundry detergent

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