Over the past several months, I’ve been changing out our everyday products to natural, non-toxic products. In this blog post, I share with you how I made my own non-toxic detergent at home. It works wonderfully and it saves money!
I’ve been focusing on my family’s health as well as mine and paying attention to everything around us. I had no idea detergent was toxic. I didn’t understand how something we use to clean our clothes can be harmful for us.
I thought people made their own detergents to save a few cents, and that is not true! You can save so much (no just cents) AND you won’t be wearing toxins on your clothes nor smelling toxins.
Earlier this week, I saw a post on Instagram that said “My husband at the start of our debt-free/minimalist journey: “As long as we don’t start making our own soap.” I am now making our own soap.” I laughed because I am now making our own detergent. My husband laughed too.
This was my first time making my own detergent. It was super easy to make, but it was a hassle to gather everything I needed. I had to go to three different stores on a very hot day with a toddler and I was exhausted at the end. I went to Menards, Wal-Mart, and Target. You can easily order everything on Amazon and have it delivered. I ran out of our Grove Collaborative detergent, so I couldn’t wait for a shipment for these ingredients since I don’t have Amazon prime.
Here is what you need to make your own detergent:
I found recipe via blairblogs.
3 bars of Kirk’s Natural Castile Soap ($3.29)
1 box of borax ($4.47)
1 box of washing soda ($3.97)
2 cups of baking soda ($2.48 I bought a big box and didn’t use all of it)
2 55oz containers of OxiClean Free ($7.96 each)
You may add scent crystals or essential oils, but I didn’t use either.
TOTAL COST: $30.13 (I still have left over baking soda)
How to make it:
- 1. Open all containers/boxes/wrapping and cut all soap bars into little squares
- 2.Blend soap cubes with OxiClean
- 3. Place all ingredients in a large garbage bag and toss it together.
- 4. Store in a 2 gallon glass jar. I placed two silica gel packs in side of it to help absorb moisture.
How much to use and how:
You need 2 tablespoons per load. I use 2 and 1/2 tablespoons when I wash my husband’s work clothes because he works in a hardware store and is outside, but 2 tablespoons definitely does the work!
Toss the amount desired in the drum of your washer or powder drawer. It’s safe for HE washing machines.
From what I read on Blair’s blog post, this recipe will give you about a year’s worth of detergent.
I’m loving this DIY detergent!
I’ve done 5 loads of laundry so far, and it’s 10x better than the non-toxic detergent that I used to buy from Grove Collaborative.
I have a shirt that had a toothpaste stain for about a month despite several washes with Grove’s detergent, and after washing it with my DIY detergent, it’s gone!!
Our whites are whiter and our darks don’t fade. I love it. I’m the type of mom who puts darks and whites together in the washer and dryer.
I don’t ever see myself buying detergent ever again. I loved how easy it was to make and I have no complaints!

I would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below. Do you make your own detergent or home cleaning items? Are you looking into stating?

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