A year ago when I was moving into my new home in Abu Dhabi, my cousin Kate (@katemied) came to spend a month with us and enjoy the country. She showed me how to make this homemade, nontoxic laundry detergent and I’ve been using it ever since! Furthermore, she showed us the magic of wool balls in the dryer as a healthy alternative to dryer sheets (which are incredibly toxic). 

Switching to this homemade detergent is actually faster and more economical than ordering online and going to the store and you don’t have to worry about endocrine disrupting chemicals!

Here is the recipe for the 5-minute-once-every-3-months homemade laundry detergent: 

Ingredients (3-Month Supply):

  • 4 cups powdered washing soda
  • 4 cups borax
  • 4 cups baking soda
  • Optional: 1 cup oxygen bleach (OxiClean) for stain removal (oxiclean has junk in it. I omit when making a batch but I will add a scoop in when washing in case something is extra dirty) 
  • Optional: 30–40 drops essential oil (e.g., lavender, lemon, or tea tree) for scent

Instructions:

  1. Mix the Ingredients:
    1. In a large mixing bowl or bucket, combine the washing soda, borax, and baking soda.
    2. If using oxygen bleach, add it to the mixture. Stir everything thoroughly until evenly distributed.
  2. Add Essential Oils (Optional):
    1. If you want a scented detergent, add 30–40 drops of essential oil to the dry mixture. Stir well to ensure the oils are evenly dispersed.
  3. Store:
    1. Transfer the detergent into an airtight container, such as a large glass jar, plastic bin, or food-grade bucket with a lid. Make sure it’s labeled and kept dry.

How to Use:

  1. 2–3 tablespoons per load (or 1/4 cup for heavily soiled loads).
  2. For a standard washing machine, add the detergent directly to the drum or detergent dispenser.

Yield:

This recipe makes approximately 12 cups (96 tablespoons) of detergent, enough for 96 loads of laundry using 1 tablespoon per load (or 48 loads using 2 tablespoons). Adjust amounts based on your usage and family size.

This recipe is economical, eco-friendly, and will last for months!

__

Follow Kate at instagram.com/katemied 

Want to learn more about ancestral living and diet? I wrote all about it here.