Store-bought detergent gets expensive fast, especially when your wash still comes out looking tired. This homemade powdered laundry detergent gives you two simple options: a basic everyday blend and a stronger version for heavily soiled clothing. Both mix in minutes and tuck into a covered container without a lot of fuss (because the laundry pile already provides enough drama).
A comparable powdered detergent at Walmart runs several dollars for a single box, while the ingredients for these homemade blends can be portioned out by the cup for a much lower per-batch cost. Making your own also lets you control the soap base and skip added fragrance if you prefer a plain powder.
You only need 3 ingredients for each version, and both recipes make 1 batch of powdered detergent to store in a covered container. Plan on a grater if you’re starting with a soap bar, plus a bowl or jar for mixing and storage.
- 🧰 Materials You'll Need
- 🔧 Tools/Equipment
- 🛠️ How to Make Soft or Hard Water Laundry Detergent
- 🎨 Customization Ideas
- 🛠️ How to Use It
- 🛡️ Safety and Care
- 📦 Storage
- 💸 Cost Breakdown
- 🛍️ Need Help Finding Everything?
- ❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Soft or Hard Water Laundry Detergent
- 📌 Love this Soft or Hard Water Laundry Detergent? Pin it!
- 🖨️ Print-Friendly How-To: Soft or Hard Water Laundry Detergent
Materials You’ll Need
- Strong Laundry Detergent (Heavily Soiled Clothing): 1 cup grated Fels Naptha soap
- Strong Laundry Detergent (Heavily Soiled Clothing): 1/2 cup washing soda
- Strong Laundry Detergent (Heavily Soiled Clothing): 1/2 cup borax
- Basic Laundry Detergent: 1 cup soap flakes, or grate a bar of soap
- Basic Laundry Detergent: 1/2 cup washing soda
- Basic Laundry Detergent: 1/2 cup borax
Tools/Equipment
- Grater, if using a bar of soap
- Mixing bowl or large jar
- Covered container for storage
- Tablespoon measure
How to Make Soft or Hard Water Laundry Detergent
- For the Strong Laundry Detergent, grate enough Fels Naptha soap to measure 1 cup.
- Add 1/2 cup washing soda and 1/2 cup borax.
- Blend well, then store the mixture in a covered container.
- Use 3 tablespoons per wash for heavily soiled clothing.
- For the Basic Laundry Detergent, measure 1 cup soap flakes, or grate a bar of soap to make your own flakes.
- Add 1/2 cup washing soda and 1/2 cup borax.
- Mix all ingredients thoroughly and store in a covered container.
- Use about 2 tablespoons per load.
If you want to compare a few more homemade options, take a look at Make Your Own Laundry Detergents, Stain Removers, Pre-Wash Sprays and More! or try Basic Powdered Laundry Detergent for another simple powder blend.
Customization Ideas
- Use the basic blend for regular everyday laundry loads.
- Choose the strong version when clothing is heavily soiled.
- For delicate washables, make a gentler separate batch such as Soft Soap (for delicate washables) instead of using the stronger powder on everything.
- If you prefer a liquid version, see Liquid Laundry Detergent.
How to Use It
- Use 3 tablespoons per wash of the strong detergent for heavily soiled clothing.
- Use about 2 tablespoons per load of the basic detergent for regular laundry.
- Measure before adding it to the washer so you keep the amount consistent from load to load.
Safety and Care
Keep powdered detergent in a tightly covered, dry container and out of reach of children and pets. Moisture can cause caking, and the American Cleaning Institute recommends keeping laundry products tightly sealed after use, which is solid advice here too.
- Do not leave the powder where it can get damp.
- Label the container clearly so nobody mistakes it for another household powder.
- Use a dry scoop or spoon to help prevent clumps.
Storage
- Store in a covered container.
- Keep the container closed between uses.
- Choose a dry laundry-area shelf or cabinet if possible.
Cost Breakdown
Using current Walmart pricing as a rough guide, the strong batch comes out to about $1.89 per batch, and the basic batch comes out to about $1.84 per batch, depending on the soap you use. That estimate uses a 5 oz Fels-Naptha bar at $1.87, a 65 oz box of borax at $6.98, and typical current retail pricing for washing soda, so your exact cost will vary by store and brand.
🛍️ Need Help Finding Everything?
- Fels-Naptha Laundry Bar & Stain Remover, 5.0 oz at Walmart
- Washing soda at Walmart
- 20 Mule Team Borax, 65 oz at Walmart
- Covered storage container on Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions about Soft or Hard Water Laundry Detergent
Yes, but don’t combine the two formulas in one batch unless you want to change the recipe. Mix and store each version separately so you can choose the basic detergent for regular loads and the stronger one for heavily soiled clothing.
The main difference is the soap base and the amount used per wash. The strong version uses 1 cup grated Fels Naptha soap and calls for 3 tablespoons per wash, while the basic version uses 1 cup soap flakes and about 2 tablespoons per load.
Only if you’re starting with a bar. The basic recipe already allows for soap flakes, so you can use those instead. The strong version specifically calls for 1 cup grated Fels Naptha soap.
Use 3 tablespoons per wash for the strong detergent and about 2 tablespoons per load for the basic detergent. Stick with those amounts first before deciding whether you need to adjust for your washer or load size.
Yes. You can scale the recipe up as long as you keep the same ratios for the version you’re making. Just make sure you have a large enough container and mix it thoroughly so the ingredients stay evenly distributed.
Powdered detergent usually clumps because moisture got into the container. Use a dry spoon, keep the lid closed, and store it in a dry place. A few small clumps don’t mean it’s ruined, but you may need to break them up before measuring.
You can, but this post already gives you a better option for routine washing. Use the basic version for regular loads and save the stronger one for heavily soiled clothing so you don’t waste product where you don’t need the extra punch.
Any clean, dry covered container works well. Choose one with a lid that closes securely and leaves enough room to scoop out the detergent without spilling it all over the shelf. Laundry already makes enough mess on its own.
It’s giving you two separate powdered detergent recipes: a Strong Laundry Detergent for heavily soiled clothing and a Basic Laundry Detergent for everyday use. They share similar ingredients, but they are not written as the same formula.
📌 Love this Soft or Hard Water Laundry Detergent? Pin it!
Did you try this laundry detergent project? Tell us which version you made and whether you stuck with the basic blend or switched to the stronger batch for grimier loads.
🖨️ Print-Friendly How-To: Soft or Hard Water Laundry Detergent
Soft or Hard Water Laundry Detergent
Equipment
Materials
Instructions
- Grate enough Fels Naptha soap to measure 1 cup.
- Add 1/2 cup washing soda and 1/2 cup borax.
- Blend well.
- Store in a covered container.
- Use 3 tablespoons per wash.
- Measure 1 cup soap flakes, or grate a bar of soap.
- Add 1/2 cup washing soda and 1/2 cup borax.
- Mix all ingredients thoroughly.
- Store in a covered container.
- Use about 2 tablespoons per load.
- Store in a tightly covered, dry container.
- Keep out of reach of children and pets.
- Use a dry scoop or spoon to help prevent clumping.
- Estimated cost reflects consumable ingredients only and will vary by store and brand.
i love the myo detergent. it saves my family of 8 so much. Can you mix the purex crystals with either recipes?