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Recipe: Clean laundry detergent

September 21, 2025

Ditch the Toxins: A Simple Clean Laundry Detergent Recipe

Did you know that most store-bought laundry detergents are full of chemicals that mess with our hormones? Things like fragrance (which hides phthalates), optical brighteners, and harsh surfactants (like sodium laureth sulfate) are often in the mix. These aren’t just hard-to-pronounce words—they’re linked to hormone disruption, skin irritation, and even long-term health issues. And since our clothes sit on our skin all day (and night!), it’s worth paying attention to what we’re washing them in.

The problem is, finding a truly clean laundry detergent at the store is way harder than it should be. You start reading labels, only to realize even the “green” or “eco” brands sneak in questionable ingredients. It’s frustrating and honestly exhausting—like, who has time to be a detective in the laundry aisle? A lot of it is just greenwashing (marketing something as clean when it’s really not).

That’s why I love making my own. It’s ridiculously easy, budget-friendly, and I know exactly what’s in it. Here’s my go-to 3 ingredient recipe:

Homemade Laundry Detergent

1 3/4 cup washing soda
1 3/4 cup borax
1 bar unscented castile soap, grated

Mix it all together and store in a jar. Use about 2–3 tablespoons per load. If you want a little extra freshness, add a couple drops of your favorite essential oil (like lavender or lemon) right into the wash.

That’s it! Fresh, clean laundry without the toxic junk.

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