Homemade Laundry Soap with Baking Soda: A Cost-Effective and Eco-Friendly Alternative

Making the switch to homemade laundry soap with baking soda is a game-changer for your wallet and the environment.

Baking soda is a natural and non-toxic ingredient that's perfect for cleaning and deodorizing clothes without leaving any harsh chemicals behind.

According to the recipe, you'll need 1 cup of washing soda, 1 cup of borax, and 2 cups of baking soda to make a batch of this eco-friendly laundry soap.

This combination is a powerful cleaning agent that can tackle even the toughest stains and odors.

By using baking soda in your laundry soap, you can reduce your exposure to harsh chemicals and create a healthier environment for your family.

To make homemade laundry soap with baking soda, you'll need to gather some basic ingredients and supplies. Baking soda is a natural softener and can be used to make washing soda, but it's easier to just order it on Amazon.

Baking soda is a natural softener and can be used in a variety of ways, including in homemade laundry powder recipes. Use 1.5 cups of baking soda as it is a natural softener.

For your interest: Natural Laundry Soap Bar

You'll also need washing soda, which is a natural cleaner and powerful water softener. It's very basic with a pH of 11 and is safe and non-toxic, earning an "A" rating from the Environmental Working Group.

Sea salt can be used to soften water in your laundry, and you'll need about 1/4 cup of it. Epsom salt is another ingredient that can be used to soften water, and you'll need about 1/2 cup of it.

Here are the basic ingredients you'll need to make homemade laundry soap with baking soda:

You may also want to consider using essential oils for a fresh scent, but this is optional.

To make homemade laundry soap with baking soda, you'll need a few simple ingredients.

Start by gathering 1 box of baking soda (about 500g or 2 cups).

If you want a scent, add a few drops of essential oils to your load when you wash.

You can also use 1/4 cup of vinegar in your rinse if you have hard well water.

One recipe combines 3 cups of baking soda, borax, and washing soda.

Another recipe uses 1 box of baking soda, a bar of soap (grated finely), and adds fragrance booster or essential oils (optional).

A good rule of thumb is to use 2 tablespoons of the homemade laundry detergent per medium load, or 3 tablespoons for a large load.

Here's a rough estimate of how long the recipe can last, depending on your laundry needs:

Remember to mix the ingredients in a well-ventilated area, and use caution when handling powders that can irritate your lungs or eyes.

To use your homemade laundry detergent, simply add about 2 tablespoons to your washing machine before adding your clothes.

For small or lightly soiled laundry, 1 tablespoon should work fine.

Adding the soap to warm or hot water first helps it dissolve, and then you can switch to the temperature you need before adding your clothes.

To use your homemade laundry detergent, simply add about 2 tablespoons to your washing machine before adding your clothes.

For small or lightly soiled laundry, 1 tablespoon should work fine.

I've found it's best to add the laundry detergent to warm or hot water, then switch to the temperature you need before adding your clothes.

For heavily soiled clothes, you may need to add an extra tablespoon.

Using this recipe, you can do about 64 loads of laundry, which is equivalent to more than 6 weeks of laundry if you do 10 loads per week.

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Each individual ingredient in the homemade laundry detergent is HE-safe.

For heavily soiled clothes, add an extra tablespoon of soap.

Many readers have commented on this post that they have used the homemade laundry detergent in their HE washer with success.

Using the recipe above, you should be able to do about 64 loads of laundry, which is enough for more than 6 weeks if you do ten loads per week.

The Environmental Working Group gives washing soda, a main ingredient, an "A" on their scale, making it safe and non-toxic.

Washing soda is a natural cleaner and a powerful water softener, with a pH of 11.

Expand your knowledge: What Are the 3 Ingredient Homemade Dishwasher Detergent

Making homemade laundry soap with baking soda is a cost-effective option. You can make a batch of laundry soap for just $1.50, which is a significant savings compared to store-bought laundry detergent.

The cost savings are substantial because baking soda is a cheap and abundant ingredient. In fact, a 4-pound bag of baking soda can cost as little as $2.50.

By switching to homemade laundry soap, you can also reduce your environmental impact. The soap is free of harsh chemicals and artificial fragrances, making it a more eco-friendly option.

The soap is also gentle on clothes and skin, reducing irritation and allergic reactions. This is due to the natural ingredients used in the recipe, such as washing soda and baking soda.

One of the biggest benefits of homemade laundry soap is its ability to remove tough stains. The soap's high pH level makes it effective at breaking down and removing protein-based stains like blood and grass.

Regular use of homemade laundry soap can also lead to softer, cleaner clothes. The soap's natural ingredients work to remove dirt and odors, leaving your clothes feeling fresh and clean.

Related reading: Soap Making Using Soap Base

My first homemade laundry detergent 12 years ago was a mix of baking soda, washing soda, and Borax, along with grated bars of Fels Naptha or Zote soap flakes. I used a fragrance booster in the recipe, but I've since removed it and now add it per load instead.

A large box of baking soda was a key ingredient in my original recipe. I've stuck with this basic combination of ingredients over the years.

I've also experimented with using a box of Zote soap flakes instead of Fels Naptha, and I don't use these soap flakes every batch I make.

Additional reading: Fels Naptha Homemade Laundry Soap Recipe