Old-Fashioned Laundry Soap
This simple homemade laundry detergent is made with just four pantry-friendly ingredients and brings a touch of old-fashioned charm to your everyday chores.
Equipment
- Box grater For grating the soap bar into fine shavings
- Container (such as a jar): To mix and store your detergent
- Wooden Spoon To stir everything together
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups washing soda
- 1 cup borax
- ½ cup Epsom salt
- 1 bar soap such as Castile, Fels-Naptha, or your favorite natural soap
Instructions
- Grate the soap: Using a box grater, finely grate the entire bar of soap. The smaller the shreds, the easier they’ll dissolve in the wash.
- Mix the ingredients: In your container, combine the grated soap, washing soda, borax, and Epsom salt. Stir well with a wooden spoon until everything is evenly distributed.
- Store: Keep your detergent in an airtight container with a lid. Label it if you’d like, especially if you’re storing it in a shared laundry space.
- Use: Add 1–2 tablespoons per load, depending on the size and soil level. Works well in both regular and HE washing machines—just place it directly in the drum.
Notes
- Grate the soap finely: Smaller shreds dissolve better, especially in cooler water.
- Use 1–2 tablespoons per load: A little goes a long way, even for large or dirty loads.
- Store in a dry, airtight container: This keeps your detergent fresh and clump-free.
- Choose your soap wisely: For sensitive skin, go with unscented, natural soap bars like Castile or goat milk soap.
- Add essential oils (optional): For a light scent, mix in 10–15 drops of essential oil per batch.
- Great for both regular and HE machines: Just add directly to the drum before your clothes.
- Label your jar: Especially helpful if you're storing multiple homemade cleaners.