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Keep laundry simple, affordable, and sustainable with these natural laundry DIYs! You can transform your entire laundry routine with natural DIY laundry products that you will love.

Using a metal scoop to add homemade laundry soap into the washer drum.
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When I first started making my own home, bath, and beauty products over a decade ago, homemade laundry soap was one of the very first things I switched to. 

Laundry soap felt like an easy place to start because you can make your own laundry detergent so easily! It was a great way to dip my toes into natural living. 

Not only that, but making laundry soap also had a big impact on my natural living journey. Our clothes sit directly on our skin all day and night, so I wanted to switch to products that are free of harmful ingredients but still get the job done. 

It was an added benefit that making my own laundry soap saves me hundreds of dollars every year!

Iโ€™ve since branched out from simple laundry soap. I now make my own dryer sheets, laundry soap pods, fabric softener, and so much more. You can, too, with all of my simple, affordable, and sustainable laundry product recipes!

Want to keep it quick? If you only have time to try one of these natural laundry recipes, I recommend this homemade liquid laundry soap. That is my most popular recipe and the one I use most often!

Sustainable Laundry Products

Making your own laundry products couldnโ€™t be easier. All of my recipes take just a few ingredients that are affordable and usually quite easy to find. 

Youโ€™ll love how DIY laundry products get your clothes clean, soft, and smelling fresh without the use of commercial detergents!

I love, too, how making homemade laundry products is so much more sustainable than purchasing them. With all of the bottles, packaging, and other waste associated with commercial products, I can feel great about making my own. All of my recipes produce minimal waste and they use natural ingredients! 

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap

Iโ€™ve been making my own laundry detergent for years and this is one of my favorites that I always fall back on! Liquid laundry detergent is easy to make, simple to use, and it dissolves well even on the coldest wash setting. Customize the scent with your favorite essential oils and enjoy fresh and clean laundry without any of the harmful ingredients

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Homemade liquid laundry detergent in a glass mason jar.
Homemade Laundry Soap
This liquid laundry soap is easy to make, effective and safe for front end and HE washing machines.
Liquid Laundry Soap Recipe

Homemade Powder Laundry Soap

If you prefer powder laundry detergent, I have a fantastic recipe for that, too! Powder laundry soap is even easier to make than liquid and it works just as well. Many readers love this recipe because it is made without any borax; I personally love both. I always have powder laundry detergent on hand because it works great with hot water wash cycles.

All natural powder laundry soap scented with essential oils.

Homemade Powder Laundry Soap

This simple recipe for powder laundry detergent gets your clothes clean without the harmful ingredients. You'll love how easy it is to make and use!
Powder Laundry Soap Recipe

DIY Laundry Scent Boosters

I love how freshly washed laundry smells, especially when itโ€™s scented with my favorite blends of essential oils! These DIY laundry scent boosters will make your clothes smell fresh and clean without any synthetic fragrance. Have fun making your own custom scent and enjoy clothes that smell really clean.

Epsom Salt and baking soda mixture in mason jar on white shiplap with dryer balls and amber colored essential oil bottle.
4.47 from 241 votes

DIY Laundry Scent Boosters

DIY laundry scent boosters are perfect for adding to your laundry routine to make your clothes smell fresh and clean.
Laundry Scent Boosters Recipe

How to Make a Laundry Soap Bar

Take your DIY a step further with homemade laundry soap bars! Both powder laundry soap and liquid laundry detergent call for a bar of laundry soap. You can purchase them at the store, but why not try your hand at a homemade version? Making your own laundry soap bars is an excellent way to ensure you are using only the best ingredients in your laundry detergent. Plus, it is very rewarding to make your own bar soap!

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How to Make a Laundry Soap Bar
Made with all-natural ingredients, this laundry bar will be perfect for sensitive skin, kids, and babies.
Laundry Soap Bar Recipe

Homemade Fabric Softener

Getting soft, fluffy clothes is easier than you think! Fabric softeners do wonders to eliminate static and wrinkles, soften clothes, and give your laundry that fresh smell. It doesnโ€™t have to be a pricey bottle from the store, though! Homemade fabric softener is easy to make with just 3 ingredients and it works wonders on your clothes. 

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Homemade fabric softener on a laundry folding table with towels and dryer balls next to it.
DIY Fabric Softener
Homemade fabric softener is easy to make, cost-effective, and sustainable. Made with natural ingredients, this fabric softener leaves clothes fresh, soft and with a lasting scent.
Fabric Softener Recipe

How to Make Natural Dryer Sheets

Homemade dryer sheets will help you save money, reduce your waste, and keep your laundry nontoxic. These reusable dryer sheets will last you years and take minutes to replenish! Toss one in the dryer with each load and enjoy fresh-smelling, softened clothes without a hassle. 

DIY dryer sheets in reusable glass container.
4.50 from 12 votes

Natural Dryer Sheets

A simple natural dryer sheet recipe to soften clothes, reduce static and provide a blissful scent.
Natural Dryer Sheets Recipe

Powder Soap Nut Laundry Detergent

Laundry detergent doesnโ€™t get simpler than this! Soap nuts are an age-old natural soap from the Sapindus (or โ€œsoapberryโ€) tree. Once ground, they work as a natural soap that is especially great for laundry. Free from any potentially harmful additives such as preservatives and fragrances, this laundry soap recipe is perfect for those who want to avoid any ‘extra’ ingredients! 

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Soap nut laundry detergent in a glass storage container on a wooden shelf.
Powder Soap Nut Laundry Detergent
Soap nut laundry detergent is an excellent, natural cleaning agent thatโ€™s recently made a popular comeback to the planet-loving eco scene.
Soap Nut Laundry Detergent Recipe

DIY Laundry Soap Pods

Skip the measuring (and inevitable spilling) when you start a load of laundry! Laundry soap pods make washing your clothes so easy; just pop a pod in the washer and you are ready to go. They also prevent the overuse of laundry soap, which can put undue wear on your clothes and washer. If you love making laundry quick and easy, this is the recipe for you. 

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Homemade laundry soap pods drying on a towel and wooden tray.
DIY Laundry Soap Pods
Make laundry easier and more sustainable! These homemade laundry soap pods reduce waste and are so easy to pop in the washer. No measuring required.
Laundry Soap Pods Recipe

Top 10 Benefits of Wool Dryer Balls

It took me a few years after learning about them to try out wool dryer balls, but once I did, I was hooked! Wool dryer balls are an eco-friendly and natural addition to your laundry routine with loads of benefits. Save money, live more eco-friendly, and say goodbye to wrinkled or staticky clothes! But those arenโ€™t the only benefits; keep reading in the article below. 

The Top 10 Benefits of Wool Dryer Balls

Dryer balls have been a game-changer for my natural laundry routine! Learn the many benefits and why you'll love them as much as I do.
Top 10 Benefits of Wool Dryer Balls

How to Scent Wool Dryer Balls with Dried Herbs

If youโ€™re already sold on wool dryer balls as a wonder ingredient for your laundry routine, perhaps youโ€™d like to take it up a notch. Wool dryer balls can add a delightful scent to your laundry without any synthetic fragrances. All you need is dried herbs! Learn how to have wonderful-smelling laundry by making scented wool dryer balls.  

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Scenting wool dryer balls with dried herbs in breathable muslin bags.
How to Scent Wool Dryer Balls with Dried Herbs
Discover an easy way to scent your wool dryer balls naturally using any herbs of your choice.
How to Scent Wool Dryer Balls with Herbs

Homemade Spray Starch

Make ironing a breeze with this homemade spray starch. If you love the feel of crisp, wrinkle-free clothes, you need to try spray starch! This simple 2-ingredient recipe makes ironing easier and more effective while leaving your clothes crisp and beautiful for hours. Skip the store-bought starch and opt for a natural, easy-to-make spray starch that comes together in minutes!

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Homemade starch spray on a white marble laundry table.
Homemade Spray Starch
Give your clothes that crisp, put-together look with homemade spray starch. Ironing starch is easy to make at home for a fraction of the cost of store-bought.
Spray Starch Recipe

DIY Wrinkle Release Spray for Clothes

This recipe is for you if you would rather skip the ironing but still need to get those wrinkles out of your clothes. Wrinkle release spray works to dampen and relax the fabric, leaving you with wrinkle-free clothes without a lot of effort. I always have this spray on hand for those easily wrinkled garments or the days when I donโ€™t get to folding fast enough!

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Stretching out a wrinkly shirt after spraying with a homemade wrinkle release spray.
Wrinkle Release Spray for Clothes
Reduce creases and ease ironing time with this super practical, easy-to-use wrinkle-release spray.
Wrinkle Release Spray Recipe

How to Fix a Mildewy Washer

Nobody wants to take clean clothes out of a washer that smells awful! If you find yourself with a mildewy washer, there is a very simple and natural solution. Give your machine a good cleaning and a fresh new smell with this simple tutorial on how to get the mildew smell out of your washer. 

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Adding baking soda to the drum of a front loader washer.
How to Get Mildew Smell Out of Washer
Washer smells like mildew? Donโ€™t worry; weโ€™ve all been there! Instead, try this simple DIY cleaning solution using only two ingredients. Itโ€™ll leave your washer smelling fresh and clean in no time.
How to Get Mildew Smell Out of a Washer

How to Get Mold Out of Clothes

Mold stains on your clothes can be a bit frightening, but they are treatable! You can avoid the harsh cleaners and still have mold-free, stainless clothes. With a couple of natural ingredients you already have on hand, you can treat those mold-stained clothes in no time.

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Soaking a shirt with a small mold spot in a bowl of water and vinegar.
How to Get Mold Out of Clothes
Don't panic just yet. Vinegar makes a great mold remover! Follow along to remove mold from your clothing safely and effectively without any special supplies!
How to Get Mold Out of Clothes

Getting the Smell Out of Workout Clothes

Because of their intended use and type of material, workout clothes can get smelly (and stay smelly) so easily. If you pull your freshly washed workout clothes from the dryer and they still donโ€™t smell good, try these helpful tips for getting the smell out. I tackle any of our particularly stinky clothes with these methods and it works every time!

How to Get the Smell out of Workout Clothes

Learn how to get the smell out of workout clothes simply and naturally.
How to Get the Smell Out of Workout Clothes

Natural Homemade Laundry Detergent

Be ready for laundry day with thisย natural homemade laundry detergent. Made withย just 3 ingredientsย and ready inย under 5 minutes, this fragrance-free detergent really couldnโ€™t be simpler.

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A mason jar with homemade laundry detergent next to dried lavender and a measuring cup.
Homemade Laundry Detergent
Be ready for laundry day with this natural homemade laundry detergent. Made with just 3 ingredients and ready in under 5 minutes, this fragrance-free detergent really couldn't be simpler.
Homemade Laundry Detergent

Laundry FAQsย 

Can you make laundry detergent without borax?

Yes! If you prefer to avoid borax or you have difficulty finding it, you can still make laundry detergent without that ingredient. My homemade powder laundry detergent, soap nut laundry soap, and laundry soap pods are all made without borax and they work wonderfully!

Does making your own laundry detergent save money?

While this depends on the availability and cost of homemade laundry soap ingredients in your area, I have found that homemade is much less expensive. The ingredients that go into homemade laundry soap are minimal and inexpensive; plus, they last a long time! I have saved hundreds a year, making my own laundry soap for my family.

In Conclusion

Making your own laundry products is a great place to start if you’re embracing natural living. They are easy to make, work well, and will save you money!

I hope you enjoy these Sustainable, Natural Laundry Recipes. If you try one, please leave a review and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks for visiting!

About Laura

Welcome to Our Oily House, Iโ€™m so glad youโ€™re here! Explore DIY cleaners, homemade soaps, skincare and hair care recipes, fragrance-free solutions, and sustainable laundry tips for a naturally inspired home.

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7 Comments

  1. Michelle Broome says:

    Looking for some recipes for laundry soap and other household swaps like bar soaps and dishwasher

  2. Megan R says:

    Iโ€™m trying to switch over to non toxic and homemade products and Iโ€™ve been trying a lot of your recipes but I havenโ€™t been able to find a laundry stain remover recipe. Do you have any suggestions?

    1. Laura says:

      Way to go! If you will use the search bar on the blog, you will be guided to a recipe for a stain remover ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. Madison says:

    Hey, do you have a refresher spray recipe? Currently I am using a fabreeze scent spray after I wash with the powder soap.

    1. Laura says:

      I have a linen spray. You can search for it at the top of my blog.

  4. Patricia says:

    I am very susceptible to being zapped by my laundry, and everything else. I have to hit my car when getting out to avoid getting zapped, and shaking out clothes fresh from the dryer can light up a room. My skin, especially legs, are frequently itchy and Iโ€™m pretty sure thatโ€™s thanks to the fabric softener I use to combat the static electricity. Can you point me in a helpful direction, please?

    1. Laura says:

      I have a fabric softener recipe as well as dryer sheet recipe you can find on my blog.