Pennies a Load and It Smells Amazing
I’ve used this homemade laundry soap for nearly fifteen years, ever since we moved to a small acreage with well water and a septic tank. It’s safe for septic systems, works well with well water, and I couldn’t be happier with the results.
Give it a try and see how simple and economical homemade laundry soap can be. It smells fresh and clean — I often leave the lid off the container just so I can enjoy the fragrance when I walk through the laundry room.
Each batch lasts a long time, cleans well, and is incredibly economical. One batch makes about 300 loads — that’s a big savings. The detergent is highly concentrated, so I use only two tablespoons per load. For very dirty work clothes I sometimes use three tablespoons.
I also keep a simple pretreating solution on hand for stubborn stains and will share that recipe below. Today I updated ingredient sizes and current prices so you can see just how affordable making a batch is.
If you’re budgeting at home like I am, stretching household supplies is as rewarding as stretching a grocery dollar. I use the same “make it go further” approach in the kitchen, too.
Ingredients for a large batch: you’ll need a very large bowl or bucket to mix everything and a long sturdy spoon. I use a food processor to pulverize the soap bars, but a box grater works fine. The grated soap dissolves quickly in the washer.
Sometimes you may need to shop a bit to find every item. If you can’t find Fels-Naptha bars, a 14-ounce Zote bar is a good alternative — one Zote bar replaces three smaller bars of Fels-Naptha. Zote also comes in a fragrance-free white bar that works well on colors.
Choice of bar soap is personal. I prefer Fels-Naptha for heavy dirt, grass, makeup, collar rings, and sweat stains. Zote is milder on delicates and tends to handle grease and oil well. I keep one bar of each in my laundry cupboard for different needs.
Step-by-Step Directions for Homemade Laundry Soap
Start by grating or pulverizing the soap bars. If you use a food processor, cut the bars into cubes first. When soap is soft, adding a little of the dry ingredients during processing helps it grind more evenly.
After pulverizing the soap, combine all ingredients in a large bowl or bucket and enjoy the fragrance as everything comes together.
Thoroughly mix the full batch with a big spoon — this can take a while because you want an even distribution of ingredients. When mixed, transfer the detergent into airtight containers or decorative open jars if you prefer to enjoy the scent. Two one-gallon ice cream buckets work well for storage.
I keep part of a batch in a pretty jar on the counter so I can take a whiff whenever I pass the laundry room. Others keep the batch in an open decorative bowl — the scent makes for a warm “welcome home.”
Remember: a little goes a long way. Use two tablespoons per average load; increase to three tablespoons for heavily soiled work clothes.
Updated Costs and Package Sizes (April 2026)
Grocery and supply prices have changed, but making a batch remains economical. Current retail sizes and prices I checked recently:
- A 3-pound tub of OxiClean (various formulas) — about $8.28.
- 20 Mule Team Borax — 65-ounce box for about $5.97.
- Fels-Naptha — three 5-ounce bars at about $1.87 each.
- Zote — 14-ounce bar for about $1.98 (use one instead of three smaller bars).
- Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda — 55-ounce box for about $5.38.
- Arm & Hammer baking soda — 3-pound bag for about $3.42.
- Scent booster beads — 24-ounce container for about $4.93.
Using Fels-Naptha and OxiClean Odor Blaster, the total cost of a batch is roughly $33.59 before tax. At 300 loads per batch, that works out to about eleven cents per load, far less than many commercial detergents.
Printable “Recipe Card”
How To Make Homemade Laundry Soap
Great-smelling powdered laundry soap that costs about eleven cents a load. Very easy to make.
20 minutes
20 minutes
EASY
Materials
- One 3-pound bag of baking soda
- One 55-ounce box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
- One 65-ounce box of Twenty Mule Team Borax
- One 3-pound carton of OxiClean
- One 37.8-ounce canister of scent booster
- Three bars of Fels-Naptha or one 14-ounce bar of Zote
Tools
- Very large bowl or clean bucket
- Food processor or box grater
- Long spoon
- Two one-gallon containers such as ice cream buckets
Instructions
- Grate or pulverize bar soap in a food processor (cut the soap into cubes before processing).
- Combine all ingredients in a large container and mix thoroughly.
- Store in a dry place.
- Use 2 Tbsp per wash load.
- Optional: add a cup of white vinegar when washing towels for extra fluffiness.
Notes
If using a food processor, adding some dry ingredients to the soap cubes makes processing quicker and easier.
FAQs About Homemade Laundry Detergent
How long does homemade laundry soap last?
Stored in a tightly covered container in a cool, dry place, it will keep indefinitely. The key is keeping moisture out to prevent clumping.
Can I use homemade laundry soap in an HE washer?
Yes — this formula produces low suds and generally works well in HE machines. Always check your washer manufacturer’s recommendations before regular use.
How much laundry soap should I use per load?
Two tablespoons per average load is enough. For very dirty work clothes, use three tablespoons.
Does homemade laundry soap really save money?
Yes. When you calculate cost per batch and cost per load, it is usually significantly cheaper than many commercial detergents.
Bonus: Three-Ingredient Homemade Stain Remover
You can also wet a bar of Zote or Fels-Naptha, rub it into a stain, and launder as usual. For tougher stains, mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide, Dawn dish soap, and baking soda in a dish or shake them together in a squeeze bottle. Apply to the stain and gently scrub with an old toothbrush.
This pretreatment is effective on blood, grass, grease, makeup, and tomato stains. It’s safe, simple, and it works.
I spend a lot of time in the laundry room and the kitchen and hope you’ll try both the laundry soap and the stain remover. I’ve had great results and would love to hear your tips and experiences.
If you enjoy saving money on meals too, try some budget-friendly recipes that reheat well and stretch servings.
Love, GB (Betty Streff)
Real food. Real kitchen. Real easy.