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Hygiene and Sanitation · Formula · Book recipe 9.10

Shelf-stable laundry powder (baking soda, borax, washing soda)

The dry alkalis and soap in this formula keep for years on the shelf, giving you a laundry powder that does not lean on supply chains.

HazardousWorks without power

How it works

Grate the soapinto fine flakes
Mix in all powderssoda, borax, soda ash
2-3 tbsp / load¼ cup for heavy
Clean laundrystores for years
Every part stores for yearsa permanent laundry supply
Borax & soda ash irritatewear gloves; keep from kids & pets

Quick facts

Base
soda + borax + soda ash
Plus
grated bar soap
Machine
2-3 tbsp / load
Heavy
up to ¼ cup
Shelf life
years

Hazard

Borax and washing soda are skin and eye irritants; wear gloves when hand-washing if your skin is sensitive. Keep the dry mixture away from children and pets.

One batch yields roughly 120 to 150 loads. The powder is low-suds, so it works for both hand washing and high-efficiency machines, and because the active cleaners are blended with bar soap and optional oxygen bleach, each load needs only a few tablespoons rather than the larger scoop plain washing soda would take.

What you'll need

  • Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), 4 lbs
  • Borax, 4 lb 1 oz (one 20 Mule Team box)
  • Washing soda (sodium carbonate), 3 lb 7 oz; or make your own from baking soda, Recipe 9.21
  • Oxygen bleach (OxiClean or equivalent), 3 lbs (optional)
  • Bar soap, 2 bars (your own from Recipe 19.1, or store-bought Castile, Dr. Bronner's, Kirk's, Fels-Naptha, or Zote)

Steps

  1. Shred the bar soap with a cheese grater or food processor until you have fine flakes. Combine the shredded soap with all dry ingredients in a large container and mix thoroughly until evenly distributed, then store the finished mixture in a sealed, dry container with a measuring scoop inside. A degreasing laundry bar like Fels-Naptha or Zote cuts oily, ground-in stains the hardest; a castile or homemade bar is milder and the better choice if anyone in the household has sensitive skin.
  2. For machine washing, use 2 to 3 tablespoons per load, and up to 1/4 cup for large or heavily soiled loads. For hand washing, dissolve 1 to 2 tablespoons in a basin of warm water and agitate clothing by hand. For added softening or odor control, add 1/4 cup white vinegar to the rinse cycle; never to the wash cycle, because the acid will neutralize the alkaline cleaners before they can do their work.
  3. For pretreating stains, wet the stained area and rub a small amount of the dry powder directly into the fabric. Let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes before washing as normal. For heavier degreasing on non-laundry items, see Recipes 14.2 and 9.8.

Warnings

Keep the dry mixture away from children and pets. Borax and washing soda are both skin and eye irritants, so wear gloves when hand washing if your skin is sensitive. Do not use on silk or wool, since washing soda and borax will damage the protein structure of both fibers; test a small hidden area first for other delicate fabrics. Never mix this powder with chlorine bleach or commercial detergents in the same load. If you include oxygen bleach, never let the batch meet chlorine bleach, in the wash or by mixing the two products, because the combination releases toxic chlorine gas.

Storage and shelf life

Store in a sealed container away from moisture and strong odors. The base formula (baking soda, borax, washing soda, shredded soap) lasts indefinitely when kept sealed and dry. If oxygen bleach is included, use the batch within 12 to 18 months because percarbonate loses potency over time. Label the container clearly with the batch date. Best container: sealed HDPE container or glass jar, keep moisture-free. Avoid metal in humid conditions (promotes corrosion). See the Containers section.

Questions this answers

Tap a question for the short answer.

What's the recipe for homemade laundry detergent powder?

Shred 2 bars of soap into fine flakes and mix with 4 lbs baking soda, 4 lb 1 oz borax, 3 lb 7 oz washing soda, and an optional 3 lbs of oxygen bleach. Store it sealed and dry with a scoop inside. One batch yields roughly 120 to 150 loads.

How much homemade laundry powder do I use per load?

Use 2 to 3 tablespoons per machine load, and up to 1/4 cup for large or heavily soiled loads. For hand washing, dissolve 1 to 2 tablespoons in a basin of warm water and agitate the clothing by hand.

Is homemade laundry powder safe for he washing machines?

Yes. The powder is low-suds, so it works in high-efficiency machines as well as for hand washing. Use 2 to 3 tablespoons per load, and never mix it with chlorine bleach or commercial detergents in the same load.

How do I wash clothes without commercial detergent?

Blend baking soda, borax, washing soda, and grated bar soap into a powder. Use 2 to 3 tablespoons per machine load, or dissolve 1 to 2 tablespoons in a basin of warm water for hand washing. Add 1/4 cup white vinegar to the rinse only, never the wash.

How long does homemade laundry powder last?

The base formula of baking soda, borax, washing soda, and shredded soap lasts indefinitely when kept sealed and dry. If you include oxygen bleach, use the batch within 12 to 18 months, because percarbonate loses potency over time. Label the container with the batch date.

Can I use fels naptha or zote in diy laundry soap?

Yes. A degreasing laundry bar like Fels-Naptha or Zote cuts oily, ground-in stains the hardest. A castile or homemade bar is milder and the better choice if anyone in your household has sensitive skin. The batch takes 2 bars, shredded into fine flakes.

Keep going

Read nextHygiene and Sanitation When the Water Is OffWhat to do when the water goes off: bucket toilet, hand washing, waste, body, teeth, laundry, dishes, disinfecting, and pests, with the shelf item and recipe page for every job.Hygiene and Sanitation · Guide

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Hygiene and Sanitation · FormulaSource: Prepper's Chemical Survival Guide, Recipe 9.10, p. 50 · Last reviewed 2026-09-18

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