Making your own laundry soap is a great way to save money and make the switch to natural products. This homemade powder laundry soap only requires 3 ingredients and it works great!
When I first started my blog, homemade laundry soap was one of the first things I shared. I have been using that exact recipe for over 7 years, and I love that I can make 5 gallons for less than $2. Talk about a money saver!
Since sharing that recipe I have had several requests for a powder version. This recipe uses similar ingredients to the liquid soap making it very cost effective too!
It is sensitive enough to be used with baby clothes, delicates, and even cloth diapers! You only need a couple tablespoons per load.
HOMEMADE POWDER LAUNDRY SOAP VIDEO TUTORIAL
This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Get my full disclosure HERE.
HOMEMADE POWDER LAUNDRY SOAP 
INGREDIENTS
- 1 bar castile soap (or Fels Naptha soap bar)
- 2 cups washing soda
- 2 cups baking soda
- 30 drops lavender essential oil (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Finely grate the soap bar using a cheese grater.
- Add the shredded soap bar, washing soda, and baking soda to a large mixing bowl.
- Stir until well combined and add in essential oils.
- Store in airtight container.
Use 2 tablespoons per load. This soap is safe to use in high efficiency washers.
I store mine in a half gallon glass mason jar and I keep a tablespoon measuring spoon in the container to make it easy to measure.
A LITTLE ON THE INGREDIENTS
CASTILE SOAP BAR
If you have been around my blog long you know my obsession with castile soap. I use it in my foaming hand soap, baby wash, shampoo, and cleaning products.
Castile soap is a very concentrated, vegetable based soap. It is typically made out of olive oil or coconut oil. It has natural antibacterial properties that can help kill infections and germs.
Castile soap is a gentle soap making it safe on sensitive skin and babies. You can buy scented or unscented castile soap, I prefer unscented so I can scent it how I want with my essential oils.
You can also use one fels napa soap bar or any other natural soap bar. 
WASHING SODA
Washing soda is sodium carbonate, that dissolved in water for washing and cleaning. It is a natural cleaner and can be used to soften water. Washing soda is also neutralizing and eliminates odors.
Adding washing soda to your laundry can help remove stains and brighten clothes.
BAKING SODA
Baking soda has been used in laundry for many many years. Adding it into your soap will help to soften and bring clothes out whiter and brighter.
Baking soda is also very effective at eliminating odors.
ESSENTIAL OILS
Adding in essential oils is optional, but I highly recommend it. Essential oils will had scent that will linger in your laundry. You can use a single oil or make a blend.
I love adding in lavender or wild orange.
I share some of my favorite blends for laundry HERE. 
WHY SWITCH TO HOMEMADE NATURAL LAUNDRY SOAP?
- First off, it saves a whole bunch of money. We have a large family and just to keep up I do at least one load of laundry per day. That doesn’t include towels, sheets, blankets, or kids playing in mud puddles.
- When I was a nanny I remember the parents bought special soap for the kids clothes. When it was on the list and I had to pick some up from the store I couldn’t believe how expensive it was. This laundry soap is made with ingredients safe enough for babies and those with sensitive skin.
- Leading brands laundry soaps contain harmful ingredients that can cause skin rashes and other issues when inhaled. I love that this soap is made with all natural ingredients.
BEST ESSENTIAL OILS FOR HOMEMADE POWDER LAUNDRY SOAP
- LAVENDER- Lavender is a very calming, relaxing essential oil, with a lovely floral smell. This one is my favorite for laundry soap.
- WILD ORANGE- Invigorating, uplifting, and cleansing; wild orange is perfect for your laundry soap. It adds a fresh scent to your clean clothes.
- MELAEUCA- Melaleuca is a purifying and cleansing essential oil. If you ever forgot to put wet laundry straight in the dryer when it is done add 2-3 drops to the wet clothes and add to the dryer.
- PEPPERMINT- If you like a fresh, minty smell then this well be your oil. Peppermint makes a wonderful scent for your homemade laundry soap.
- EUCALYPTUS- Eucalyptus is a great oil to add to your laundry soap during times of sickness. The oil will freshen clothes and kill germs.
- LEMONGRASS- This citrus oil has a earthy smell and makes a great scent, especially for men.
- ROMAN CHAMOMILE- Another calming essential oil and great for kids. Roman chamomile adds a beautiful floral scent.
- CEDARWOOD- Another one for the men in your life. Cedarwood has a woodies scent that most men enjoy and it has cleansing properties making it great for your soap.
- PATCHOULI- Either you love it, or hate it. I am a patchouli lover and am obsessed with the scent. This is another favorite of mine for laundry.
- JASMINE- If you want to smell like a bed of flowers all day then add jasmine to your laundry soap. Jasmine is very calming and can help with stress and anxious feelings.
MORE NATURAL DIY LAUNDRY POSTS
Making homemade laundry products is a great way to cut down on the toxins in your home and save money. Using these products are better for your skin, clothes, and works great!
Have you ever made your own soap? Did you add in essential oils? Tell me your favorite blends to use!
PIN IT FOR LATER 
Beverly says
Can’t wait to try this ! I am new to essential oils and I am in awe at all the ways you can use them. Thank you for sharing your creativity and knowledge.
lauraascher says
You’re welcome! I am glad you are starting to use essential oils and natural products. I am happy to share!
Tammy says
Hi! Your videos are great! Short, sweet and to the point:) ~ recipes are the same way…thanks for sharing them! I *do* have one question about the powder laundry soap: does it ever solidify on you? I’ve made similar powder recipes (for toilet bowl cleaning and dishwasher too) and they end up becoming a slid brick! It got to the point where I just tossed them because I couldn’t get it out of the jar! So how does this one compare? Any problems? Thanks so much!
lauraascher says
Thank you so much! Glad you are enjoying my content and videos. So far I have not had any issues with my powder soap. Maybe it has something to do with weather change or the temperature in your home?
Tammy says
Thanks for responding Laura! Maybe it does…I live in New England the recipes I tried were all during this past winter, so I’m not sure. I could certainly see it happening now, in spring, or when it gets humid. I’ll try your recipe and see what happens! Thanks again!
lauraascher says
You’re welcome!! I hope it works for you! I have mine sitting in my laundry room and my house gets pretty hot during the day, 80-ish. It is still powdery.
Debra says
Hi! I love your blog, videos and DIY recipes. I always look into any product I am not familiar with. I looked up Fels Napa soap bar. The articles I read said it contains titanium Dioxide which is a carcinogen. Obviously, we don’t want to use that on our bodies but it also is known to contaminate the ocean and lakes and harm wildlife. I am just surprised you would use and recommend it. Just thought I would bring it up in case you were not aware since you use it for the kiddos. Source: https://www.livestrong.com/article/176905-information-on-fels-naptha-soap
lauraascher says
I have researched the product and found it to be safe. Thank you for the article! I will look into it further. 🙂
Beverly says
I bought my ingredients yesterday and can’t wait to make my own laundry detergent ! I follow your page and am enjoying learning about all the benefits of essential oils. I even used your body mist recipe and had the children at church make small bottles for the mom’s on mother’s day. Thank you for sharing with us.
lauraascher says
Thank you so much for your sweet comment! I am so glad you are enjoying my content! Making those for Mother’s day was a fabulous idea.