Homemade Lavender Laundry Detergent

If you’ve ever flipped over a bottle of laundry detergent and wondered what half the ingredients even are, you’re not alone.

That’s exactly what pushed me to start making my own homemade laundry detergent. It’s simple, budget friendly, and made with ingredients I actually recognize.

Even better? It cleans just as well as store bought detergents, without the harsh chemicals or overpowering fragrances.

This recipe has become a staple in my laundry routine, and once you try it, I think it’ll become one in yours too.

Things to Note:

Making homemade laundry detergent is not for everyone. If you try it and don’t like, simply switch back to store bought.

If it overwhelms you to make your own, let me reassure you it is really actually very easy! But again, you don’t HAVE to make your own.

There are a few other non-toxic laundry detergents I have used in the past and still love. (they just got a little pricey for me).

Those would be Molly’s Suds and Truly Free. Both are great options for natural laundry detergents.

Why Make Homemade Laundry Detergent?

It’s Much More Affordable

Store bought detergent can get expensive fast, especially if you’re doing multiple loads a week.

Making your own costs just a fraction of the price, and one batch lasts a long time since you only need a small amount per load.

Buying all of the ingredients up front is about the same as buying one container of non-toxic laundry detergent (actually it’s still less $$) but once you buy the ingredients once you can make multiple batches of this detergent.

A Non-Toxic Option for Your Home

Many conventional detergents contain dyes, synthetic fragrances, and unnecessary additives.

This homemade version uses simple, effective ingredients that clean your clothes without leaving behind chemical residue.

It’s perfect for sensitive skin, kids’ clothes, or anyone trying to create a cleaner home overall.

Customizable Scents

You get to choose exactly how your laundry smells.

Whether you love fresh and clean, floral, or something cozy, essential oils let you tailor the scent to your preference.

How to Make Homemade Laundry Detergent:

Below you’ll find ingredients needed, helpful tips, and more for making your own laundry detergent!

Add all of the ingredients to a large glass container and mix well. I like to shake it a bit to toss it all together.

Ingredients:

• 3 Cups Baking Soda
• 3 Cups Washing Soda
• 1 Cup Epsom Salt
• 1/2 Cup Sea Salt
• 35-50 Drops of Lavender Essential Oil (optional, can also use any scent and any brand oil)
• 2 Grated Bars of Castile Soap (optional)
• Gallon Glass Jar

When making this the first time (and a few times after that) I did not use the castile soap.

I posted this recipe on Tiktok, and so many people told me to add a bar of soap because it wouldn’t be “clean” enough without it.

So, I decided to buy the castile soap. Personally, I think it worked just fine without it, but if you have especially sweaty or dirty clothes, the soap does give it an even greater “clean.”

How to Use This Laundry Detergent:

Regular loads: Use 1 tablespoon

Heavily soiled or large loads: Use 2 tablespoons

For Extra Soft Laundry

If you like extra soft clothes, there’s an easy natural solution. Add ¼ cup of white vinegar to the fabric softener compartment of your washing machine.

Don’t worry, the vinegar smell disappears as everything dries, leaving your laundry soft and fresh.

Watch the Video Tutorial:

Watch me put together a batch of my own laundry detergent!

Conclusion

Making your own laundry detergent might sound intimidating at first, but it’s surprisingly simple and so worth it. It’s affordable, non-toxic, and easy to customize, plus you’ll love knowing exactly what’s going into every load of laundry.

Once you try it, you may never go back to store bought detergent again.

If you give this recipe a try, let me know how you scent yours, I’m always looking for new essential oil combinations to try!