Skip to Content

DIY Dr. Bronner’s Laundry Detergent

I love making Dr. Bronner’s Laundry Detergent.

It all started in 2009 when I was pregnant with Gabriel and I was in hyper-nesting mode. By golly, when I had that baby I was NOT going to run out of laundry detergent. And every time I used up one of my 10-15 bottles of laundry detergent I would almost panic and look for deals on the internet so I could get more.

The Duggars

Everything changed when I watched a Duggar Episode, jaw to the floor, as they explained how they make their laundry detergent at home in industrial sized tubs (because, of course, they do a crap ton of laundry).

I thought that was pretty cool, however, I never attempted it because I wasn’t into having a slop bucket of laundry detergent hanging around my house. The slop factor turned me off. I have to keep up appearances, people!

Almost a year after Gabriel was born I was at a friend’s home and a mutual friend mentioned how she made her laundry detergent, but instead of using that stinky Felsnapthacrap soap that smells so strong, she uses Dr. Bronner’s delicious smelling castile soaps.

I REALLY love this laundry detergent. It works well and smells really good.

The Dr. Bronner’s soap does cost a little bit more, but the laundry detergent is still significantly cheaper than the typical store bought brand.

Here’s how I make my Bronner’s laundry detergent.

DIY Dr. Bronner’s Laundry Detergent

Ingredients

1 cup of 20 Mule Team Borax, Natural Laundry Booster

1 cup of Arm & Hammer Washing Soda

1 bar of your favorite Dr. Bronner’s Castile Magic Soap, finely shredded

Instructions:  Mix ingredients in a bowl and store in a glass jar.

Directions: For every load of laundry I use around 2 TBS of laundry detergent.

DIY Dr. Bronner’s Laundry Detergetnt FAQ’s

*I shred the soap using the fine side of a cheese grater, or a zester.

*Yes, the finished product looks a bit like butter and sugar mixed together.

*I store my soap in a glass container that has a lid.

*When I scoop out laundry detergent I try to make sure I get a good mixture of the white powder and the shredded soap.

*This soap isn’t going to sud. Sudsing doesn’t get your clothes clean, it’s the ingredients that do the work. Trust me!

*I have used this soap to wash cloth diapers with good results.

Susan Knight

Sunday 28th of May 2023

I made this and am very pleased with the results. Thank you.

sandy

Saturday 25th of June 2022

Is this ok to use in High efficiency washers?

Lindsey VanAlstyne

Thursday 4th of August 2022

I'm not sure to be honest.

laura

Wednesday 16th of October 2013

does anyone know can you leave out the borax and do Earth Friendly Products OXO Brite Non-chlorine Bleach instead so the recipe would read: 1c. oxo brite 1c. washing soda 1 bar of dr. bronner's

thanks.

Jams

Thursday 21st of January 2021

I only use washing soda and Dr.Bronners combined in washer, fill softener dispenser with white vinegar. Works great without Borax. Actually, I think it cleans better. My clothes are fresh and clean. No more nasty odor stuck in my workout clothes!

m wood

Tuesday 28th of May 2013

The only thing that is bad in this soap is the Borax. Check out this web site for yourself....EWG.org. Hope this may help any off you trying to go more natural.

Nicolas Martin

Friday 25th of January 2013

I found a product at a health food store this week, Earth Mama Laundry Detergent. Oddly it is not a detergent at all, it contains castile soap, sodium carbonate, sodium borate, and essential oils (says the label). I choice lemon and the other was lavender. It is a bag of powder which is claimed to provide 72 loads, and require 1-2 tablespoons per load. The listed web address is earth-mama.com.

Lindsey Morrow

Sunday 27th of January 2013

Nice! I'll have to check it out. :)