1 Cup Zote or Castile flakes or grated bar.
2 Cups Borax laundry booster
2 Cups washing soda (sodium carbonate) laundry booster
You can add one cup of baking soda to the recipe to increase the cleaning power of your homemade laundry detergent. You can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the detergent mixture, stirring it thoroughly.
Mix well with a wooden spoon and promptly seal the container. Do not vacuum seal or us oxygen absorbers.
Add the detergent directly to the washer drum before loading the dirty laundry. Do not use it in an automatic dispenser, as the soap flakes may cause clumping that can clog the dispenser.
Bleach
Avoid adding bleach to homemade laundry detergent. Bleach can unintentionally stain or discolor clothing and cause skin irritation, especially in sensitive people.
When handwashing, add one tablespoon of homemade laundry detergent to one cup of hot water to help the mixture dissolve. Then, add the water and detergent solution to a sink filled with warm or cool water before adding the dirty clothes.
| Washer Type | Load Size | Amount of Detergent |
| Standard Top Loader | Small | 2 tablespoons |
| Standard Top Loader | Medium | 3 tablespoons |
| Standard Top Loader | Large | 1/4 cup |
| Front Loader & HE Washer | Small | 1 tablespoon |
| Front Loader & HE Washer | Medium | 1 tablespoon |
| Front Loader & HE Washer | Large | 2-3 tablespoons |
| Handwashing | Small | 1 tablespoon |
The powdered laundry detergent generally will not expire or lose effectiveness unless exposed to excess moisture.
If the detergent becomes hard or develops clumps due to moisture, discard it. It will not dissolve well in the washer and can leave soap residue on your clothes.