Welcome Friend!
Thanks for visiting my little corner of the internet laundry room.
I’ve been making my own Homemade Laundry Detergent for almost two years now and I love it!
I started out just wanting to lower the toxic load in my house and commercial detergents have a surprising amount of junk in them.
But to my surprise, this fabulous laundry detergent also cleaned better than any store-bought brand I had ever used.
And it was a fraction of the price. Did I say love it? Yeah, baby!
This page contains affiliate links which means I may earn a commission if you use them. I only recommend tools that I use and trust.
I love this Homemade Laundry Detergent so much I decided I wanted to share the love and give it as neighbor gifts last Christmas.
I put the laundry detergent in mason jars, tied on pretty bows and attached homemade tags with directions. It was a true Pinterest moment.
I was so proud of myself because not only was my neighbor gift cute it was useful and it cost very little to make.
In the craziness of the season I didn’t have time to deliver them all so I sent my teenage son out by himself to deliver one to our next-door neighbors.
When they came to the door he handed them the gift and said Merry Christmas. They said thank-you and then asked him what it was.
He said, and I quote, “Laundry detergent. My mom made it. I don’t know what she was thinking”.
That was the last one he delivered.
Despite my son’s eye-rolling comment, all of my neighbors loved the laundry detergent and many asked for the recipe.
I’ve been wanting to do a post about it for a long time but I didn’t want to make more until my Christmas batch ran out. I’m telling you, this stuff lasts forever!
Okay, not forever, but six months for this family of 5 which seems like forever.
Here’s what’s in it and why:
Baking Soda—deodorizes your laundry, fights stains and balances the PH of your wash which gets clothes cleaner, fresher and brighter.
Borax—a naturally occuring mineral that is commonly used as a household cleaner, borax is and effective laundry booster as it helps the detergent work better.
Washing Soda—another detergent booster, washing soda is a chemical compound that can be used to remove stubborn stains from laundry.
Kosher Salt—works as a natural fabric softener (see note below).
Oxygen Bleach Powder—is used in stain removal as the oxygen bubbles help break down dirt, odor and germs.
Fels Naptha Soap—the only actual soap in this recipe, Fels Naptha has been used for over 100 years to remove all kinds of stains.
Essential Oils–kills germs and bacteria in wash water and helps deodorize clothes.
The first step is to add your essential oils to the kosher salt. The EOs will deodorize your clothes by killing germs and bacteria.
Use any single or combination of oils to get a fragrance you like although that fragrance will be very mild.
The fragrance will be very mild but the essential oils will also kill germs and bacteria in the wash water which, if you have teenage boys, is a very good thing.
If you don’t want to use EOs, no problem, just use the salt without adding any..
Note: This is important, people!
All over the internet I found recipes for homemade fabric softener crystals using Epsom salt instead of salt. Don’t do it as these two items are NOT interchangeable.
A lot of well-meaning people seem to think that Epsom salt is just another type of salt, like grey salt or Himalayan pink salt. It’s not!
Salt is sodium chloride (NaCl) and Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate.
Hard water is caused by basically two minerals: calcium and magnesium. So by adding Epsom salt to your laundry you are making your hard water actually harder.
Hard water causes soap to be less effective, fades colors and causes fabric to feel rough and scratchy. I love Epsom salt for lots of things like Lavender Bath Salts but not for laundry.
The next thing you need to do is get the Fels Naptha laundry bar into a useable form. There are three ways you can do this.The first method is to grate the soap on a cheese grater. This seems easy enough until about halfway through the second bar.
The second method is to cut one of the bars into six or eight chunks, then put it in your blender or food processor along with one cup of the oxygen bleach. Blend until soap is small and crumbly then repeat with the other two bars.
I, on the other hand, always use the third method. Put one bar of soap on a paper plate (image #1) and microwave on high for three minutes. It comes out looking like something from Invasion Of The Body Snatchers. Let it cool for a bit then cut it into chunks (image #3). Crumble by hand, or better yet, process in your blender or food processor (image #4).
Warnings:
–In order to get the Fels Naptha soap to expand properly in the microwave it can’t be old. I always buy it right before I make the detergent. If it’s old it will be a darker yellow and instead of expanding it will melt and burn. If you’re unsure how old your soap is then use method #1 or #2.
–My husband wanted me to tell you that microwaving the Fels Naptha soap makes your kitchen stink like Fels Naptha soap. In his defense, it’s not the prettiest smelling soap in the world but in the end your laundry detergent will smell great. He agrees with that.
–If, after microwaving, you leave the cut up soap on the plate for a while, everyone who walks by will think you made some new delicious bread recipe and may try to eat it (see image #3).
Now all you have to do is dump the ingredients in a big bowl and mix it up.
I highly suggest you do the mixing outside or at least open a window as it does create some soap “dust” which will probably make you cough or sneeze without some good ventilation.
Final Thoughts On Making Laundry Detergent
-If you’re already striving to live a DIY self-sufficient kind of life then making your own laundry detergent is a natural next step.
-If you’re a total newbie to all this, then making your own laundry detergent is an awesome first step.
-It’s easy, it’s cheap and you always need it.
-Because no matter how many times you do laundry, somebody is always out of clean underwear. Sheesh!!
Homemade Laundry Detergent
3 bars Fels Naptha Soap
3 cups borax
3 cups washing soda
1 cup baking soda
4 1/2 cups oxygen bleach powder
2 cups kosher salt
40-45 drops essential oil (I used a combo of lavender, wild orange and cedar wood)
One at a time, put each bar of Fels Naptha soap on a paper plate and microwave on high for 3 minutes. Let cool and cut soap into pieces. Put in food processor or blender until crumbly. (You can also use one of the alternate methods listed above). Set aside.
Put kosher salt in a large bowl. Add 40-45 drops of a single or blend of essential oils to get desired fragrance. Blend well. Add Fels Naptha soap, borax, washing soda, baking soda and oxygen bleach.
Stir until completely blended (preferably in a well ventilated room or outside).
Store in a large container with a tight-fitting lid.
Makes 16 cups, which will do about 128 loads of laundry. That’s a lot of laundry!
To use: For a regular washing machine add 2 tbsp. to washer and wash as usual. For a high efficiency machine (front-loading) use 1 tbsp for a small load or 2 tbsp. for a heavy load and put directly in the drum before adding clothes.
Anabelle Nieto says
I’ve come across many diy recipes and just never did them, this one makes me really excited about trying it, especially since you use doterra oils and I’m new to that too, love them, question….is this safe for cloth diapers too, since you say the oils are like fabric softener, would we just leave that out or can they still be used BC it’s not harsh to the cloth diapers like real fabric softener is, also would it be ok to change the oils to be like what we use for eczema for my Lil boy or does it have to be those 🙂 thank you so much for sharing your recipe, looking forward to making it
Fabulous Farm Girl says
Hi Annabelle-thanks for your questions. Let me first start by clarifying that the essential oils do not act as a fabric softener, they are there for scent and their antibacterial properties. You can use any combo of oils to come up with a scent you like. Second, fabric softeners are bad for diapers because they coat the fabric with chemicals (many of them toxic) and oils. These synthetics stay on your clothes and make them feel soft they but also makes them less absorbent which in the case of cloth diapers (and towels) is the last thing you want. This recipe uses kosher salt which acts a mild fabric softener, not by coating the fabric with chemicals and oils but by combating the hardness of your water. The minerals in hard water contribute to clothes feeling rough and scratchy. Another contributor is when the detergent doesn’t all get rinsed out so I always add white vinegar to the rinse compartment of my machine which is a great rinse agent. That said, if you’re still worried you can make this detergent without the salt/essential oil fabric softener and it will clean your clothes just as well. Finally, eczema oils will not work in this context as they will be rinsed out in the wash…literally. I have an awesome eczema skin salve that I recommend you check out instead. Worked wonders for my kiddos. That was a long answer but I hope it helps.
–Leah
Therese Bizabishaka says
Hi. I’m a bit like the previous poster. I’ve never had the guts to make and use this type of laundry powder. 1. Because I have a new and very expensive energy efficient top loading machine which in their instructions are very specific about what type of products to and not to use. For example they say don’t use nappy soaked powder etc as it may damage. 2. Also I always buy sensitive washing powder as my daughter has ezcma. 3. I use cloth nappies that have a PUL waterproof outer that you have to be careful with plus not use fabric softener as it reduces absorbancy. So what do you think, dive in or are my concerns founded?
Fabulous Farm Girl says
Hello Therese–thanks for stopping by. I think I’ve answered some of your concerns, at least about the fabric softener and absorbency, in my response above. As for your expensive washing machine I really can’t say and don’t want to steer you wrong. Since you call diapers “nappies” I am assuming you aren’t from the U.S. and are using a brand of machine I am not familiar with. I’m not sure how a detergent can damage a washing machine since it never comes in contact with the motor or inner parts but I am not an expert by any means. I don’t know what “nappy soaked powder” is but if any powder detergent is off-limits then I’d assume this recipe is too. Sorry that’s not much help. As far as your daughter’s eczema I would recommend my Eczema Skin Salve. It really helped my kids when they were younger. Have a great day!
–Leah
Laura says
I have always wanted to try that! Looks easy enough! Maybe when I am settled into my new house I can give it a try. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
~Laura
Fabulous Farm Girl says
You’re welcome Laura and congratulations on your new house. Moving is tons of work but I also think it’s so exciting to have a fresh start. Good luck with everything!
–Leah
mysocalledchaos@gmail.com says
I love that, and really am going to have to try it! Thanks for sharing, I’ve pinned it!
Fabulous Farm Girl says
You’re so welcome and you’re going to love it. Have a great week!
–Leah
Susie says
LOL on the thought that someone might think you made bread! I gave one of my friends a bar of homemade soap in a sandwich baggie and her oldest son came through and took a BIG bite out of it thinking it was white chocolate!
Fabulous Farm Girl says
Hi Susie-that story is hysterical and made my day! That’s what they get for not asking first, right? Thanks for stopping by.
–Leah
JayJay says
Which is why I use Zote with washing sodas, and Borax–smells so loverly!!!!
Fabulous Farm Girl says
Yes, JayJay I have heard that Zote laundry soap also works. Next time I make a batch I will try it out. Of course, that will be in about 7 months. LOL! Thanks for stopping by.
–Leah
Stephanie Kay says
Thank you for a very easy-to-follow tutorial. I keep wanting to make laundry detergent but just haven’t made the time to do it. Thanks for sharing via Family Fun Friday.
fabulous Farm Girl says
You’re welcome Stephanie. It really takes no time at all and the best part is that I only have to make it every 8 months assuming my family of 5 does 4 loads per week. Thanks for hosting a great link party and I’ll see you on Friday.
–Leah
lois marie snyder says
I too sell doTerra love your web site. Great job
Fabulous Farm Girl says
Thanks Lois Marie! That means so much coming from a fellow doTerra girl. I hope you come back often and find lots of great essential oil ideas! And please send your friends (although definitely tell them to get their EO’s from you:). Have a great week!
–Leah
Sonya says
I just made some homemade laundry detergent yesterday, but it was a different recipe. I will try this one next time. Stopping by from the SITS Sharefest.
Fabulous Farm Girl says
Thanks for stopping by Sonya! I think you’ll love it.
–Leah
kredit raten vergleich guenstigste tankstelle says
Awards are based on posts, not comments. Believe me, the many by AB and others are a huge detraction.Many people who love your blog and give you shout-outs, such as Richard Prince, Mr. Journalisms, have never read the comments.
Valerie says
Hi! First of all, I love the name and concept of your blog – super cute that you’re living a farm girl’s life in the city! 😀
And this recipe sounds great. Thanks for sharing! Found you at the SITS party. 🙂
Fabulous Farm Girl says
Thanks Valerie–you made my day! Hope you come back soon!
–Leah
Angi @ SchneiderPeeps says
What a great tutorial. We’ve been using a liquid version of homemade laundry soap for 7 years and it has saved us tons of money. Thanks so much for sharing at Simple Lives Thursday. Hope to see you again this week.
fabulous frmGirl says
Wow Angi–you’re one of the true pioneers! I’ve been using mine for two years and love it. Have a great week!
–Leah
Marian says
Can I use regular table salt instead of kosher salt? I’ve used a different recipe for detergent before and I ended up having to use 1/2 cup per load instead of the recommended 1 tbsp. I have 4 little ones, I don’t know if that had anything to do with it since their clothes are always filthy. I hope I get better results this time.
Fabulous Farm Girl says
Hi Marian–thanks for your question. Kosher salt has a larger crystal which absorbs the essential oils better so I do recommend it and it’s easy to find. Table salt, in theory, should work (salt is salt) but I haven’t tried it personally. You can also leave the salt out if you want. I have researched and tried lots of versions of homemade detergent and found that they all had too little actual soap. The only soap in the recipe is the Fels Naptha laundry bar. Everything else is a detergent booster. Every recipe I looked at had too little soap compared to the volume of other ingredients so maybe that was the problem with your different recipe. I always do full loads (3 teenage boys) in my front-loading washer, use 2 tbsp. in the drum and have great results every time. Hope that helps.
–Leah
Tina Ernspiker says
I made a similar recipe when we lived in the States only in liquid form, without the Oxy-Clean. I loved it! I love EO’s too 🙂 Thanks for sharing! #sitsblogging
Fabulous Farm Girl says
Hello Erin! Now you’ve got me wondering what country you moved to. I have a recipe for a liquid detergent but I am so in love with my dry detergent that I’ve never tried it. Maybe I will next time. Have a fabulous week!
–Leah
JES says
Thanks for sharing this recipe on the Art of Home-Making Mondays 🙂 We do a similar one but with our extreme hard water, I decided I needed to liquify it before adding to machine. Have a wonderful week and thank for linking up all your useful DIY’s with us!
Fabulous Farm Girl says
You’re welcome, Jes! I’ve seen lots of liquid versions on line but been so happy with this recipe that I’ve never tried them. Glad you found a version that works for you. Have a fabulous week!
–Leah
Leah Robles says
I use a recipe similar to this and I’ve used it for years and it never damaged my expensive front load washer nor has it irritated my daughters skin she has eczema. I’m going to try your recipe because I think the salt and essential oils will make it smell so good 🙂 thanks for sharing.
Leah Robles
Fabulous Farm Girl says
You’re so welcome Leah (nice name). So glad to hear your DIY detergent has worked for your family. I love this stuff and will never go back to store-bought as I’m sure you won’t either. Have a great day!
–Leah
Sara-Marie says
I might just have to give this a try! Thanks for the recipe!
Fabulous Farm Girl says
You really should Sara-Marie! And when you do please come back and let me know what you think. Have a great day!
–Leah
LaVonda says
I am interested in yours salve for eczema. My grand kids have it so bad! Please send me more info please.
Fabulous Farm Girl says
Hi LaVonda-thanks for stopping by. I don’t sell any of the products I blog about so I don’t have any information to send you. If you want to make it yourself I can help you get the doTerra essential oils and the other ingredients are easy to find in stores or online. You can email me through the contact button if there is any way I can help. Have a great week!
–Leah
Laura says
I have read that goat milk soap does wonders for eczema. My grand daughter has eczema as well. My daughter says it does he
Andia says
This probably sounfs silly, Can Dr. Bronners soap be substituted? if so would you use three bars? Also, would leaving out the oxy clean make a big difference?
Fabulous Farm Girl says
Hi Andia–don’t worry, there are no silly questions here. My concern with Bronner’s castile soap is that it will have too much sudsing action. Fels Naptha is a laundry soap so it makes almost no suds. If you don’t like Fels Naptha there is another laundry soap on the market called ZOTE. It didn’t microwave well so I would grate it. If you want to try castile soap, I would make half a batch and only use one bar. That way if it doesn’t work well you won’t be out a lot. As far as the oxy clean, I have never not used it but there are lots of other DIY recipes on the internet that don’t so you’re probably fine. I do get it really cheap at Dollar Tree if you want to try it. Let me know how it goes and have a great day!
–Leah
Laura says
I substitute 3 bars fragrance free goat milk soap and it works just as well. Everyone in my family is allergic to fragrance.
Ruth K says
I just made this and am so excited to use it. One random question though, is how do you neutralize the odor that the soap leaves behind in the microwave? I worry that any food I put in there will have a soapy taste to it. I’ve tried wiping it down with baking soda, then spraying it with vinegar. That didn’t work, so I tried a different odor eliminator and that doesn’t seem to have worked either. Eek.
Paul Thompson says
Ruth, I just made this soap and had the exact same issue. My microwave smelled like a bar of Fels Naptha! I left the microwave door open over night and that didn’t even help. Then I remembered a microwave cleaning formula using lemon, vinegar and water. Not only did it make cleaning my microwave a breeze, it also got rid of the soap smell! I cut a lemon in half and juiced it in a bowl along with about 1/2 cup of vinegar and 1/2 cup of water. I placed the juiced rinds in the bowl also. Placed the bowl in the microwave and nuked it for about 5 minutes. My microwave wiped down effortlessly. And I had more than a few spaghetti splash stains in it!
Leah says
Great cleaning tip Paul! I will definitely try it as my microwave always seems to be filthy. Thanks for stopping by.
–Leah
michelle b says
hi there! Good night there a lot of laundry recipes on the internet lol….. Like you mentioned, I had heard that Epsom Salts hardened water worse so I wanted to find a good recipe without it. I also use essential oils religiously (who are we kidding- its an obsession) however I use Young Living. Life changing, these therapeutic grade oils! I wanted to know about the oxygen part of your recipe. Before I buy it – what is it? I was about to make up a batch using borax, grated soap, washing soda, baking soda and kosher salt. And the oils of course (lemon, orange). Thank you!
Leah says
Hello Michelle–thanks for your question. Oxygen base cleaner is a multipurpose, chlorine-free formula that removes tough stains and odors from your laundry. It’s made from sodium carbonate and peroxide. The brand I use I got from Dollar Tree although I have seen another brand at my local grocery store in the laundry isle. Hope that helps.
–Leah
anna says
Hi!
Thank you for sharing this fabulous recipe. Being from Europe, I am not familiar with Fels Naptha Soap & was wondering if it can be substituted for anything else?
Also Borax is not available to consumers (only companies), can it be substituted for anything else?
I would really appreciate if you could help with suggestions.
Thanks! Anna
Natalie Butler says
Laundry Maid soap is similar. None of these soaps are the same as detergent though as they are oil based. I’ve read that over time the oil will accumulate in your clothes and actually trap dirt. I might still give it a try but I’ll alternate with an eco detergent.
misamei says
I use a similar recipe for homemade laundry detergent, but mine contains borax and not Fels Naptha; borax is much gentler. I can’t go a day without my borax – it’s amazing and for those hesitant to use it – google it, and then google Fels Naptha.
I use Borax when I shower and it helps to heal my skin. It makes my skin and hair so soft!
misamei says
and yes, the epsom salts will do the opposite of what one would want from a laundry detergent; use sea salt or kosher salt instead.
Kosher salt + a few drops of essential oils = homemade laundry scent booster.
I use ivory bar soap in my detergent – it’s so soft that it shreds easily with a metal hand-held cheese shredder.
Heidi Smith says
I just made and tried your laundry soap 🙂 I love it and my kids had so much fun helping me measure. We mixed it outside. Next on my list is the cleaning cupboard make over, dryer balls and phew order more DoTerra. Thank you for such a fun place to go for tried and true ways to make life a better and cleaner place.
Leah says
Heidi–you made me blush…and made my day. You are gonna love the laundry soap! I will never use store bought again and I bet you won’t either. So proud of you for taking control of your health and wellness and lowering your family’s toxic load. You will never look back, I promise. Keep up the good work!
–Leah
Kat says
I find that essential oils are a waste of money in homemade laundry detergent. The smell does not stay on the clothes at all.
Leah says
Hi Kat–as I said, the smell is very subtle and therefore EOs are optional. But I do find that, While they don’t add a lot of fragrance, they do help get neutralize the smell of stinky clothes. I have 3 teenage boys so I need all the help I can get. LOL!
–Leah
Emily says
I’m wondering if this formula is specifically for warm-water washing? I wash at least half of our laundry in cold water, to preserve the fibers and prevent color loss. I generally steer clear of powder detergents for this reason. Would this detergent break down enough in cold water to be an effective cleaning agent? Thanks for your help — I really want to use this recipe!
Leah says
Hi Emily–thanks for your question. I mostly do warm water washing but have used it in cold water with no problem. Just to be sure I did a load of clothes and towels in cold a few days ago and they came out awesome. No residue or bits of soap and everything was clean and fresh. I’ve been using this detergent for 2 years and will never use store-bought again. Remember that if you have a front-loading washing machine, just put the detergent right in the wash barrel before adding your clothes. Have a great day!
–Leah
Shewie says
Magnesium sulfate, Epsom Salt, is a salt. The word salt does not only refer to what we commonly refer to as salt, or better yet, table salt, NaCl. Salts are what are formed when an acid reacts with a base. Epsom Salt does make hard water harder and interferes with cleaning by reacting with the detergent. And, just cuz, it’s typically magnesium carbonates, as opposed to sulfates, that are naturally present in hard water and they are also salt. Magnesium carbonate is also known as chalk. So, chalk = salt. Interestingly, it’s actually other types of salts used to soften hard water. Table salt being one of them. So, you are right on with what you said about the effects of NaCl vs MgSO4. Anyway, that’s a long-winded way to say you’re right but Epsom salt is salt just the wrong kind.
Leah says
Hi Shewie–Science is cool and you are definitely better than me at explaining it. Thanks for the help. 🙂
–Leah
Ng zi Jian says
Awesome recipe.I will definitely try this out someday. thanks for the sharing.
Leah says
You’re so welcome!
–Leah
Phyllis says
I’d like to try this recipe, since I think commercial laundry detergent is far too expensive. Problem is, I’m allergic to borax, which I recognize for its phenomenal cleaning properties, but it makes my hands and fingers break out. Do you have any suggestion for a substitute, or should I just leave it out?
Leah says
Hi Phyllis–thanks for stopping by. I would substitute the borax with the same amount of washing soda to keep the ratios the same. Both the Borax and the washing soda are detergent enhancers and help the Fels Naptha soap do its job better so I don’t think that substitution will affect the effectiveness. Try it out and let me know what you think. 🙂
–Leah
Chukka Vishwavaram says
Hi,
I cannot find kosher Salt here in India that easily. Can I substitute table Salt for that?
You might find this doubt a bit silly, but we usually find only iodised salt here these days.
Would that be a problem? ( in case you would recommend using table salt at all).
Also we do not find the bar soaps that you mentioned in the recipe, here in our country. But I managed to buy a few bars of biodegradable laundry detergent cakes from a brand by name rustic art. Can I substitute these bars in the place of Fels Naptha? The ingredients mentioned on the packaging read as follows: Safonified non edible oils, Lemon and neem extracts. No fillers, no perfumes, no chemicals and no animal ingredients. I tried laundering a piece of hand towel with it, and it came out very clean.
I simply loved the recipe and after your reply, I am gonna try this out as I have kept all the ingredients ready.
Thank you sister.
Leah says
Hi Chukka–thanks for your questions. I have only used course salt for my homemade laundry detergent so I don’t know if table salt (with iodine) will be as effective. You could try it but you can also leave out the salt and the detergent will still work fine. As far as the Fels Naptha soap, it sounds like the laundry detergent cakes you bought would be a great substitute. Just make sure you grate them instead of using the microwave method as I have only found the Fels Natha bars to work that way. You could also cut them into small chunks and put them in a food processor if you have one. Hope that helps and definitely make yourself a batch. I’ve been using this homemade detergent for 3 years and will never use store-bought again. Love it!!
–Leah
Chukka Vishwavaram says
I tried the recipe leaving out the table salt and it came very well…and yes I used the food processor..
I used this in my front loader and I absolutely love my new detergent.
I was so excited after seeing the results, that I shared some powder with my friends and relatives.
Especially my dad was totally excited with the outcome…
Now all these people are never gonna get back to the store bought one…
Thank you Leah…
Yolanda says
Hi I can’t find oxygen. Do I need this to make the laundry soap?
Collette says
I always let my fels Naptha dry out on a cookie sheet overnight. Then blend it the next day. The reason is, it helps keep the laundry detergent totally clump free!
Tans says
Hi ,
Can I use table salt instead of kosher salt . If yes then how much ? . And what can I substitute oxygen bleach with ? And can I leave out icy gen bleach if I want ?
Nicole Ewart says
Is this effective in hard, cold water?
Tracy says
Hi there:
Great recipe. I think I”m going to try this week. Just bought cottage and want something safe for the septic tank – would this be?
The soap, I read somewhere that this soap, although been around for awhile has some bad stuff in it? thoughts? Is there another type of soap that I could use? Thanks for the recipe and all of the info.
Barbara moran says
Sorry I thought you sold your product,,,, not sure I could make my own
Shalom Barbara
CAROLYN MATHEWS says
I am baffled why you didn’t mention that making bath salts (epsom salt and sea salt) are the best water softener since potassium and sodium help the magnesium to soften the water. Science also showed that bath salts plus more soap, i.e. one more bar for more lathering effect will be more effective in trapping dirt and lifting them out to the rinse cycle for a cleaner laundry. Borax is only effective in hot water loads and can have adverse effects on health if not properly dissolved.
My father is water chemical engineer.
Jan says
I started making homemade laundry soap but someone asked me if the salt damages the washer? Do you know if it will damage the washer?
Andrea says
Have you used the Zote flakes? If so what you think and how much you used.
Thank you!
Lisa Fetty says
Does the oxygen bleach powder fade dark clothing?
Dianatha Harvey Barnhart says
I love using Purify Essential Oil in this soap.
Danny says
Hello,
For shredding the FelsNaptha, I do the following.
I have an old Oster kitchen center. One that can slice, dice, shred, grind, blend, knead, mix, make pasta etc etc etc. I just put the cheese grater/shredder disc on and go to town.
For those that have an issue putting this through their kitchen appliance, I say this. This is soap we’re talking about after all.
Sincerely
Danny
Laura says
I substitute 3 bars fragrance free goat milk soap and it works just as well. Everyone in my family is allergic to fragrance.
Serena Mitre says
Hi Laura! I was wondering what brand of goat milk soap do you use?
Serena Mitre says
Hi Laura! I was wondering what brand of goat milk soap do you use? Thanks so much!
Teddae Mare Hansen says
I’m waiting for the Fels Naptha soap to show up before making this recipe. It’s not in the 2 grocery stores we have so I ordered online. I have been using DIY powdered laundry detergent for a very long time and love it. I’m excited to try this one as it has the kosher salt and essential oils. I used the Fels Naptha soap on my cloth diapers back 39 years ago and it worked great!
My question is: Do you run another rinse cycle to add the vinegar? How much vinegar do you recommend?
Linda Evans says
What is a good replacement for these soap bars, as we don’t get them in this country
Dorothy says
This is wonderful and I appreciate you sharing. Do you sell this? I would most definitely purchase it.
Marnie Richardson says
I have such high levels of iron and magnesium it was over the highest amt when tested. To further complicate it there is salt that’s leeched through well into water from our very close proximity to ocean. We have a water conditioner that uses the crystals to soften it, which makes it literally taste like what you would gargle with! It corrodes the copper pipes and even seeps through the pvc causing slight crystals under sink on all types of pipes/hoses.
I was thinking because of this unique problem I should omit the Kosher Salt? 😆😭
Also I seen that using a detergent with phosphate helps get rid of iron but currently I use one without partly because I know it’s bad for environment but also because there are no dyes or perfumes to irritate my skin. Strong perfume, in particular synthetic scents give me migraines/nausea. Although I have no issues with EO’s! Your recipe has none but I am thinking with all those great ingredients that i really don’t need the phosphates to achieve a good stainless clean despite my horrible water?
Charlotte Fox says
I don’t care for the smell of fels naptha. Is it absolutely necessary?
Charleen says
Hey I have a question, the link you have for kosher salt doesn’t pop up on my Amazon is there a different one that you would recommend? A link for Amazon would be great! lol
Andrea says
Hi, your detergent recipe sounds great! Would I be able to make your recipe as posted minus the grated soap and instead use sals suds for the soap component? So use say a tablespoon or less of the dry ingredients in the washer drum of my he machine and then add to the drum 1T or less of the sals suds. Thanks for your help!
Regina says
Wow!
I’m excited to get started🤗
Thank You!
Serena Mitre says
What brand of oxygen bleach powder do you use?
Hannah says
Hi! I’ve read that washing soda is damaging to wool and silk fabrics…. have you had any issues with these kinds of fabrics?
Gary says
AS far as I know, Fels Naptha is made of really bad for you and the environment ingredients…
Bernadette Giancarlo says
I just wanted to share with you that your science about the salt should be updated.
Epsom salt, also known as magnesium sulfate, neutralizes the negative charge of magnesium in hard water with its positive sodium charge. This reaction transforms the hard water minerals into a soluble form that can be rinsed away.
Best wishes
Lindsey says
Hi!
I have a top loading HE machine, should I use the same amount as you suggest for a front loading HE machine?
Thank you!
Lona says
Would you have any idea how easily this will be to make into a liquid? Not the entire batch but as I need to use it? I’m thinking 2 T to maybe 2 C hot water or heat up 2 T with 2 C water, stirring until melted but not to boiling (I read this somewhere not to boil). I have a well and septic and using powdered detergents is not recommended. TIA