7 Must-Have, DIY Laundry Detergents to Keep Your Family Clean & Healthy

Are you looking to try some must-have, DIY laundry detergents? Well, you’ve come to the right place. And good for you, for branching out! I mean, is it me or does it seem as if laundry detergent is somehow an incredibly personal thing? I know so many people who are picky about their detergent. They are either brand loyal or will only use powder (or liquid). Or they will only use a detergent if it is a particular scent, like lavender. And whatever their laundry detergent parameters are, once they find something they like, they stick with it. That’s a shame because it means that most people are then afraid to take the leap of faith and try making their own detergent.

So I am here to tell you that making your own detergent is not only worth it, but that you’d be crazy not to do it! That’s because the homemade laundry detergent recipes I am about to share with you not only work better than store-bought versions, but they will save you a ton of money too!

Haven’t you noticed how expensive laundry detergent it?? It’s crazy. A few years ago, I went to the store, bought two large bottles of detergent, and carried them to my car. Only to realize once I got outside that I had accidentally left my keys inside the store. So I laid the two bottles down on the pavement, trying to hide them under the front bumper, and went inside to retrieve my keys. When I came back outside, the detergent was gone! When I reported it to the store manager, do you know what he said? “Well, laundry detergent is expensive!” as if that somehow made the whole thing okay. Geez! Thanks! So yes, it’s expensive. Even the manager at my local CVS agrees. So why wait? Go ahead and make your own! I’ve got seven awesome DIY recipes for you to try.

But before I start listing them out, I want to say just a word or two about Borax. Borax is a mainstay in many DIY laundry detergents, but it is also a controversial ingredient. That’s why I’ve included both Borax and Borax-free versions of laundry detergent in this list. In the end, it is up to you to decide if you are comfortable using Borax with your family, but the best article I have ever read on the subject was by Katie, aka Wellness Mama. Take a look at it and use it to inform your decision.

And now, here we go:

Natural Homemade Laundry Detergent

Here is really awesome, Borax-free powder version for to try. Not only is it super effective, it’s also super affordable. (It ends up being only $0.04 a load!). This particular recipe gets its cleaning power from a combination of washing soda and castile soap.

From Bren Did.

Laundry Detergent- Gold Star Recipe

This recipe is another Borax-free powder version. It contains slightly different ingredients plus citrus essential oils. The essential oils will not only make your clothes smell great, but they will also work as a degreaser in your detergent.

From Homespun Engineer.

Homemade 5-Minute Powder Laundry Soap

If you’ve read Katie’s article and decided that you are comfortable using Borax, then this is definitely the recipe to try! It also contains essential oils to make sure that your laundry smells fresh and clean.

From Live Simply.

All-in-One Laundry Bombs

Some people love the convenience of detergent pods. If that is you, then try this recipe out. It takes a lot more effort in the beginning (you have to make the pods and let them dry), but you don’t end up with a huge five-gallon bucket full of detergent in the end. So if you don’t have that much storage or have a tiny living space, this is definitely the way to go.

From Pop Sugar.

Laundry Detergent Liquid with Castile Soap

I am obsessed with castile soap; are you? It has an EWG rating of A, meaning that it is super safe for your family, and it’s also very cost-effective; a little goes a long way. So if you love liquid laundry detergent AND you love castile soap, then this recipe is a must try!

From Bren Did.

Laundry Detergent Liquid with Sal Suds

While castile soap is traditionally made from olive oil, Sal Suds is a coconut-based liquid detergent. Sometimes it is easy to get them confused since Dr. Bronner’s is a popular manufacturer of both. So if you are wanting something even stronger than castile soap, then try this recipe.

From Bren Did.

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap

If you are looking for a liquid detergent that contains Borax, here it is! Although honestly, it coagulated as it cools and turns into more of a laundry gel. Either way, it is a laundry detergent that really works!

From Live Simply.

A Word About Curated Posts

The above is a curated post. Some people call them round-ups, but I like the phrase “curated post” a lot better because I have spent hours putting each of these lists together. I have been a Pinterest junkie for years, and I am always looking for the newest or best or most interesting DIY project out there. Finding these items, testing them, and then using them on a daily basis is so much fun AND, I have discovered, helps save me money.

So if you enjoyed this post, here are some others that you might like:

And now I want to hear from you! Which laundry detergent recipe was your favorite? Are you a gel or a powder person and why?

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