My homemade laundry powder preference!

I tried a few different recipes and while they all worked to one extent or another I eventually found that the grated soap I used caused a buildup in my washing machine. This resulted in gunk coming out in my supposedly 'clean' clothes - not the end result I wanted!!!

Here are the two powders I finally settled on for my own use :

For cloth nappies/childrens clothes

• 1 cup Baking Soda
• 1 cup Washing Soda

 For household washing/grotty male workgear

• 1 cup Baking Soda
• 1 cup Washing Soda
• 1 cup Borax

Use 1-2 dessertspoons depending on load size/filth factor!
I also put a good dose of white vinegar in the softener holder :)

Other people have used the previously posted laundry powders without the gunk build-up issue so don't be put-off but I personally find the above is the simplest, most effective option for me and my machine!

Woolen Blankets

When washing your woolen blankets, add a dash of Olive Oil to the final rinse to keep them soft and fluffy!

Laundry Starch

Dissolve 1 tablespoon cornstarch in 200ml cold water. Place in a spray bottle. Shake before using. Clearly label the spray bottle.

Stain Remover

1/2 cup ammonia
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup baking soda
2 tablespoons liquid soap
2 litres water
Mix all ingredients together and pour into a spray bottle. Spray the solution on the stain and let it soak for a few minutes before washing as usual. Shake the solution before each use. Test on a small patch of whatever you're using beforehand.

Laundry Powders/Liquids

Mix 1 cup pure soap grated
1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 cup borax.
Use 1 tbsp for light loads; 2 tbsp for heavy loads.


12 cups Borax
8 cups Baking Soda
8 cups Washing Soda
8 cups grated Bar Soap
Mix all ingredients well and store in a sealed tub. Shake and use 1/8 cup of powder per full load.


1 cup Vinegar (white)
1 cup Baking Soda
1 cup Washing Soda
1/4 cup Liquid Soap (I find using something eco friendly like ecostore liquid detergent good but have also used budget dish detergent lol)
Mix well and store in sealed container.
I find it easiest to pour the liquid soap into the bowl first, stirred in the washing soda, then baking soda, then added the vinegar in small batches at a time (the recipe foams up at first). The mixture is a thick paste at first that will break down into a heavy powdered detergent, just keep stirring. There may be some hard lumps, try to break them down when stirring (it really helps to make sure the baking soda isn’t clumpy when first adding). I use 1/2 cup per full load with great results.

Laundry Tips #1

Baking soda increases the effectiveness of chlorine bleach. Add 1 / 2 cup to your laundry, along with the usual amount of bleach.

To remove grease stains, either add baking soda to the wash load or pretreat the stains with a baking soda paste.

Use 1/2 cup of vinegar in your washing machine rinse cycle as a natural clothes softener.

To decrease lint on clothing, add 1/2 cup vinegar to the rinse cycle. This also makes your "brights brighter".

White & Bright Whites
Pour 1 cup of lemon juice in a bucket half full of water and soak clothes overnight.

Remove sweat stains and smells by spraying full-strength white vinegar on underarms and collars of shirts before washing.

To remove smoky odor from clothes, fill your bathtub with hot water. Add 1 cup white vinegar. Hang garments above the steaming bath water.