Before You Get Started: What You’ll Need

Ingredients

• 2 5-oz castile soap bars – Cleans, removes dirt and grime, fights against stains, and freshens. Castile soap is a plant-based, concentrated soap. It’s the best option for making your own laundry detergent. Dr. Bronner’s brand is easy to find in the grocery store (body/beauty aisle) and has over 20 uses. I also use castile soap to make liquid laundry detergent. 
• 3 cups washing soda – Boosts the power and effectiveness of the soap, helping to remove stains and eliminate odors. Also called “soda ash.”
• 2 cups borax – Laundry softener and water conditioner. Boosts the cleaning power of the soap, removes odors, and fights tough stains. 
• 30 drops essential oil of choice (Optional) – For a subtle scent. My favorite essential oils for homemade laundry soap are orange, lemon, eucalyptus, lavender, and peppermint. (How to use essential oils for natural cleaning) 

Equipment

• Food Processor – To grate the castile soap bars. Alternatively, use a cheese grater and a large bowl.
• Storage Container – Choose a storage container holding at least 6 cups of dry powder.

How to Make Homemade Laundry Powder Detergent: Recipe Steps

• Step 1 Cut & Grate Soap Bars – Cut the castile soap bars into small slices or chunks using a sharp chef’s knife and cutting board. Place the castile soap pieces in the food processor bowl. Pulse the soap on high until the soap resembles large crumbs (about 1 minute). If you don’t have a food processor, use a cheese grater and a large bowl.
• Step 2 Add Washing Soda & Pulse – Add 3 cups of washing soda to the food processor. Place a towel over the top of the food processor lid and pulse for 1 minute. After pulsing, the ingredients should be well combined. If you don’t have a food processor, stir the washing soda with the grated soap in a large bowl.
• Step 3 Pour Into Storage Container & Add Borax – Pour the combined washing soda and grated soap into a storage container, stir in 2 cups of borax (or seal the lid on the container after adding the borax and shake the container to combine). 
• Step 4 Add Fragrance – If desired, add your favorite essential oil or a couple of essential oils to create a custom scent blend. Stir to combine (or shake the container with the lid on).

The detergent is now ready to use. Read on to learn how to use the detergent for the freshest, cleanest laundry.

Watch & Follow My Video Tutorial For This Recipe

How to Use DIY Laundry Detergent For Top Loaders, Front Loaders, & HE Machines​

• For Top-Load Washing Machines –  Add ⅛ cup of laundry powder per load directly to the washer basin/drum, then add linens or clothes. Close the lid on the washer and turn on the wash cycle of choice.
• For Front-Loaders and High-Efficiency Washing Machines – Add 1 tablespoon of laundry powder per load to the washer basin/drum, then add linens or clothes. Close the lid on the washer and turn on the wash cycle of choice.
• Adding Fabric Softener – If you want to use fabric softener, add the liquid softener (vinegar is a great option) to the softener compartment of the washing machine. If you’re using a powder softener (like this salt fabric softener), add the powder (and homemade soap) directly to the washer basin/drum, then add fabrics and wash. 

What Temperature Water Should I Use? 

• Cold Water Setting is Best – Most laundry detergents and soaps require water that is at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit to work (this is true for both homemade and conventional laundry detergents). The good news is that when you use the cold water setting in your washer, it’s usually a mix of hot and cold water. Hence, the water temperature reaches the ideal 60 degrees needed for a detergent to work correctly. For this reason, you can use the cold water setting without issue for both my liquid soap and this powder recipe. 
• Colored Fabrics – The cold water setting is always best for colored fabrics. 
• Sanitize Sheets & Towels – If you’d like to sanitize sheets, towels, and bed linens, use this laundry powder and the hot water setting. 

Storage & Shelf Life

• Store the powder for up to 12 months in a sealed container.
• Store at room temperature.

How to Prevent Soap Residue on Clothes

• Avoid The Laundry Soap Dispenser – Add powder laundry detergent directly to the washing machine basin/drum. Do NOT add the powder to the laundry soap dispenser. Adding the clothes directly to the washing machine and then adding the clothes on top will ensure that water reaches the powder and dissolves it without getting caught in the folds of clothing and linens, which can leave a residue on clothing. 
• Try the Laundry Soap Dispenser in Certain Machines- Every washing machine differs. If adding the powder directly to the wash basin/drum isn’t working, try adding the laundry soap to the dispenser. Some machines have a small drawer where you can move from liquid to powder, which is specifically made to help circulate the powder during the wash cycle. 
• Soften Hard Water – Castile soap can leave a residue on dark fabrics if you have hard water, even after trying the tricks above. The borax in the recipe helps to soften water and should eliminate residue issues. The case may be hard water if you still have soap residue issues. You can try using an additional water softener (like white vinegar or a salt solution).

Essential Oil Blends For a Clean Scent

The best part about this recipe is that you can customize it to create your scent. Essential oils, a natural fragrance, offer a lovely, clean scent without the harsh chemicals and scent additives.

Here are a few of my favorite essential oil combos to create various scents (use 15 drops of each). Of course, you can also use individual essential oils, like lavender, orange, or lemon to create a fresh scent.

• Orange & Lemon 
• Eucalyptus & Lemon 
• Peppermint & Orange
• Rosemary & Peppermint
• Learn how to use essential oils and make homemade cleaners in this article. And listen to my in-depth podcast about using essential oils safely in the home.

FAQ

• Can I use the fels-naptha bar instead of the castile soap bar? Yes, you can. Use 2 bars fels naptha bars, grate in the food processor (or use a cheese grater and bowl), then add the remaining ingredients. 
• Can I use an ivory soap bar instead of the castile soap? Yes, some recipes online use ivory soap bars instead of castile soap. I haven’t tried this substitution option, but you can test it. 
• Can I use baking soda instead of washing soda? No, baking soda and washing soda have two different chemical compositions. You’ll need to use washing soda to make the best product. Washing soda is also called soda ash (source). 
• Is it safe to use the same food processor used to make food to grate the soap? Yes, it is. Just wash the food processor well with soap and water after use. 
• Does this recipe work with hard water? Yes, it does. See my tips above under “How to Prevent Soap Residue on Clothes” to learn more about hard water and this detergent.
• Does this recipe work in a high-efficiency washer? Yes, it does. Add the soap directly to the washer basin/drum, then add clothes and wash. Use 1 tablespoon of powder per load and the cold water setting.
• Can I make this recipe without borax? For a borax-free laundry powder, make this recipe.

More Natural Products For Clean Laundry

• Stain Remover Spray – Remove tough stains with this simple formula made with castile soap, hydrogen peroxide, and lemon essential oil. 
• Wool Dryer Balls – Soften laundry naturally with these easy-to-make wool dryer balls—a great alternative to dryer sheets. Add a few drops of essential oils to boost the scent in the dryer. 
• Liquid Laundry Detergent – Combine castile soap, borax, washing soda, and water to make my popular liquid laundry soap. 
• Powder Laundry Detergent – Make a powder variation of my popular liquid laundry soap using this simple recipe.
• Laundry Softener – Use vinegar to make this simple liquid laundry detergent.  

Print

DIY Homemade Powder Laundry Detergent Recipe

Clean clothes, eliminate odors, and fight stains with my homemade laundry powder. I've been using this powder laundry detergent recipe and DIY liquid detergent for over 11 years, and my laundry always smells and feels fantastic. 

Course Homemade

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword diy powder laundry detergent, homemade powder laundry detergent, natural powder laundry detergent

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 56 loads of laundry

Author Kristin Marr

Cost $9

Equipment

• 1 food processor or use a cheese grater and large bowl
• 1 storage container with lid that holds at least 6 cups of dry powder

Ingredients

• 2-5 oz lavender castile soap bars any scent variety or unscented
• 3 cups washing soda also called "soda ash"
• 2 cups borax see notes below for a borax-free recipe
• 30 drops essential oil optional for scent, such as: lavender, peppermint, orange, or lemon

Instructions

• Cut & Grate Soap Bars – Cut the castile soap bars into small slices or chunks using a sharp chef's knife and cutting board. Place the castile soap pieces in the food processor bowl. Pulse the soap on high until the soap resembles large crumbs (about 1 minute). If you don't have a food processor, use a cheese grater and a large bowl.
• Add Washing Soda & Pulse – Add 3 cups of washing soda to the food processor. Place a towel over the top of the food processor lid and pulse for 1 minute. After pulsing, the ingredients should be well combined. If you don't have a food processor, stir the washing soda with the grated soap in a large bowl.
• Pour Into Storage Container & Add Borax – Pour the combined washing soda and grated soap into a storage container, stir in 2 cups of borax (or seal the lid on the container after adding the borax and shake the container to combine). 
• Add Fragrance – If desired, add your favorite essential oil or a couple of essential oils to create a custom scent blend. Stir to combine (or shake the container with the lid on).
• The recipe is now ready to use.

Storage:

• Store in a container with a lid for up to 12 months at room temperature.

How to Use:

• For Top-Load Washing Machines –  Add ⅛ cup of laundry powder per load directly to the washer basin/drum, then add linens or clothes. Close the lid on the washer and turn on the wash cycle of choice. For Front-Loaders and High-
• Efficiency Washing Machines – Add 1 tablespoon of laundry powder per load to the washer basin/drum, then add linens or clothes. Close the lid on the washer and turn on the wash cycle of choice.
• Pre-Treat Tough Stains – Before washing garments with tough stains, pre-treat the item with my stain remover spray. Then wash with this detergent.

Video

Notes

• For a borax-free laundry powder, make this laundry detergent recipe. 
• For more homemade laundry recipes, check out my guide: How to Go Natural in the Laundry Room. 

Key Takeaways

• Simple Ingredients – The 2 key ingredients you’ll need are kosher salt, sea salt, or Epsom salt and essential oil.
• Natural – Most commercial laundry boosters (like Mrs. Meyers) are made with artificial fragrances and toxic chemicals that can irritate sensitive skin (source). This laundry booster recipe is 100% natural.
• Great Smell – Use your favorite essential oils to make a simple homemade recipe smell amazing.
• DIY Fabric Softener – This recipe adds a fresh scent to laundry and softens laundry (thanks to the salt). 
• Quick & Easy to Make– This simple DIY recipe takes less than 5 minutes. 
• Shelf Life – Store the natural scent booster for up to 12 months. 

Before You Get Started: What You’ll Need

Ingredients

• 4-5 cups coarse salt – Sea salt, kosher, or Epsom salt are the best type of salt. The salt works as a carrier to carry the essential oil (the scent) to your laundry and also softens laundry (particularly important if you have hard water). I buy a 3lb box of coarse salt from Costco or the grocery store for about $3-4.
• 1-2 teaspoons of your favorite essential oil (100-200 drops) – This is the most crucial ingredient for making your scent booster. Choose your favorite essential oil or combine 2-3 essential oils to create a beautiful blend. I love lavender essential oil, peppermint, sweet orange, lemon, or lemongrass for laundry.

Equipment

• Large Bowl – For mixing the salt and essential oil(s). 
• Large Spoon – Also used for mixing the salt and essential oil(s). A large wooden cooking spoon or fork (for whisking) works well. 
• Large Storage Container – Something to store the laundry booster. Think about something that will allow you to easily pour the scented salt into the washing machine or a jar that will enable you to scoop the mixture from the jar. 

How to Make a Laundry Scent Booster: Recipe Steps

• Step 1 Add Salt & Essential Oil – Pour the salt into a large bowl. Then, add the essential oil. 
• Step 2 Combine – Using a spoon, mix the salt and essential oil with a spoon or whisk. 
• Step 3 Spoon into a Storage Container – Spoon the mixture into a container with a lid (like a wide glass jar). For best results, I let the mixture rest for 24 hours, allowing the essential oil to infuse the salt. After 24 hours, the scent booster is ready for your laundry routine. 
• Pro Tip for Combining the Essential Oil & Salt – If mixing the salt and oil in a bowl is difficult, pour the ingredients into a large plastic bag. Seal the bag and use your fingers (from the outside) to massage the ingredients and combine. 

How much should I use for the best smelling laundry?

• 1/2 Cup Per Load – Add 1/2 cup of scented salt per load. Add directly to the washing machine with clothes, sheets, towels, etc. For HE machines, you may want to try 1/4 cup.
• Adjust to Your Preference – This will vary on your water, so test different amounts to see what works best for you. 
• Add Directly to Washer – The salt should be added to the washer at the same time as the laundry soap. Add the salt directly to the washer basin with the clothes.

Essential Oil Blends For a Clean Scent

The best part about this recipe is that you can customize it to create your own scent.

Essential oils, a natural fragrance, don’t have the long-lasting scent found in most commercial scent boosters, but they offer a lovely, clean scent without the harsh chemicals and scent additives.

Here are a few of my favorite essential oil combos to create various scents. Use 1/2 teaspoon of each individual oil (about 50 drops).

• Orange & Lemon 
• Eucalyptus & Lemon 
• Peppermint & Orange
• Rosemary & Peppermint

Learn how to use essential oils and make homemade cleaners in this article. And listen to my in-depth podcast about using essential oils safely in the home.

What to Avoid Doing

• Laundry Softener Compartment – Don’t add the salt to the laundry softener compartment of the washing machine. The salt should be added directly to the washer along with the garments. 
• Delicates – Don’t use this booster on delicate items like silk and other garments that require special care. 
• Fine Salt – Don’t use fine salt to make this recipe. Choose a salt with large, coarse granules for best results.

FAQs

• How much of the softener/scent do I need the add per load? I recommend 1/2 cup of salt per load. For HE machines, you may want to try 1/4 cup.
• Can I add baking soda? Yes, you can add baking soda to this recipe. Instead of using 4-5 cups of salt, use 3 cups of salt + 1 cup of baking soda. Baking soda neutralizes odors, so this is an excellent formulation for stinky clothes (like workout clothes, sports uniforms, etc.)
• Is any kind of salt okay? Yes, any kind of large granule course salt.
• Can I make a homemade scent booster without salt? Yes, you can. Use all baking soda mixed with the essential oil. However, I’ve found that using all baking soda may leave a white film on clothes. So I recommend something other than this combination for dark-colored garments. 
• Is it safe to use salt in the washing machine? Yes, I haven’t had any issues with using salt in my washing machine. If you’re concerned, reduce the amount used.
• Do you use this salt fabric softener/scent booster with vinegar or is it one or the other? No, choose one. Both this recipe and vinegar act as a fabric softener, so I recommend sticking to one option: either salt or vinegar.
• Does the scented salt go in the rinse water? I add the scent booster salts with the clothes/towels before turning on the wash.
• Do you know how it will work in a HE front loader? Yes, it will. For a front loader start off with 1/4 cup of salt per load. Add the scent booster directly to the washer, along with the clothes, before turning on the cycle.

More Natural Products For Clean Laundry

Here are my favorite homemade products to use in the laundry room.

• Stain Remover Spray – Remove tough stains with this simple formula made with castile soap, hydrogen peroxide, and lemon essential oil. 
• Wool Dryer Balls – Soften laundry naturally with these easy-to-make wool dryer balls—a great alternative to dryer sheets. Add a few drops of essential oils to boost the scent in the dryer. 
• Liquid Laundry Detergent – Combine castile soap, borax, washing soda, and water to make my popular liquid laundry soap. 
• Powder Laundry Detergent – Make a powder variation of my popular liquid laundry soap using this simple recipe.
• Laundry Softener – Use vinegar to make this simple liquid laundry detergent.  

How to Use Vinegar to Soften Laundry: Step by Step Guide

Here’s the simplest, homemade liquid fabric softener. This simple way of softening laundry requires no mixing, expensive ingredients, or hair conditioner (yes, that’s a thing). All you need is a cheap bottle of vinegar!

What You’ll Need

• 1 bottle of white vinegar (1/2 cup Distilled White Vinegar per standard load of laundry)

Instructions

• Add the vinegar to the washing machine during the rinse cycle, to the fabric softener dispenser, or a fabric softener ball (like a downy ball) at the beginning of the wash cycle. 

Can you Add Essential Oils? 

Some people like to mix a couple of drops of essential oils with vinegar in a small bowl before adding to the wash, but I don’t see the point in doing this. The clothes will not end up smelling like the essential oil. Instead, save the essential oils for other natural cleaners. 

Why Use Vinegar to Soften Laundry? 

The easiest and cheapest fabric softener is straight white distilled vinegar.

• Excellent Cleaning Power – Vinegar is a natural ingredient containing 4-6% acetic acid, making vinegar an excellent cleaning ingredient.
• Breaks Down Detergent – When used in the wash, vinegar may help soften fabrics by breaking down excess detergent left on the clothes (source).
• Neutralizes Odors – Vinegar also neutralizes odors, even mildew odors that can linger on clothes.
• Breaks Down Mineral Deposits – A high mineral content in your water may also leave clothes feeling stiff. Vinegar works to break down mineral deposits, which can also help soften garments. 

What to Avoid Doing 

​Vinegar isn’t always the right answer. There are certain times when you shouldn’t use vinegar or need to take precautions. Let’s talk about each scenario.

• Elastic Workout Clothes – The acid in vinegar breaks down elastics over time. Don’t use vinegar with elastic fabrics, like your favorite Lululemon yoga pants. Instead, opt for the non-vinegar options below.
• Never Mix Baking Soda and Vinegar – Some recipes call for mixing baking soda and vinegar to make a fabric softener. Baking soda is a base, while vinegar is an acid. When combined, they create a chemical reaction and cancel each other out. Not harmful, but not effective. When you do this, you’re wasting ingredients. Instead, use plain vinegar (distilled white vinegar) straight in the washer. 
• Mixing Castile Soap & Vinegar – Another combination that doesn’t mix is castile soap and vinegar. Homemade laundry detergent recipes are often made with castile soap, including my favorite liquid detergent and powder laundry soap. The good news is you can use straight vinegar as a softener and castile soap laundry detergent. You will not have an issue since you’re not mixing the two ingredients directly but instead using them in a giant washing machine (filled with lots of water). Keep the two products in separate compartments (one in the laundry soap compartment, the other in a downy ball or fabric softener compartment), as they’ll release at different times.
• Never Mix Vinegar With Bleach – The two ingredients will create a dangerous gas. If you plan to use bleach in the washer, skip this fabric softener and choose another option below. Or, try my homemade bleach alternative.

Three More Natural Fabric Softeners

Option 1: Salt

Salt is a favorite ingredient for lifting some laundry stains. And you can use salt as a fabric softener. I share a detailed recipe for this softener/scent booster here.

Option 2: Wool Dryer Balls 

Dryer balls are not a traditional fabric softener but an excellent option for softening laundry. Wool dryer balls are an alternative to commercial dryer sheets.

Option 3: Homemade Dryer Sheets

I share how to make your own dryer sheets in my Natural Cleaning Made Easy cleaning course.

FAQs

• Can I use both salt and vinegar as a fabric softener? Yes, you can! The only combo I don’t recommend using together is baking soda and vinegar.
•  I know castile soap and vinegar don’t mix well. Can I use a homemade laundry detergent (made with castile soap) with vinegar? Yes, you can. Since the machine has so much water to dilute the two products, you can use castile soap detergent and vinegar as a fabric softener. Just don’t combine the two directly in one container.
• I’ll definitely have to try these out and see which I like best. Which one would you say leaves clothes smelling the freshest? Vinegar works great for eliminating odors, so it’s my favorite for the freshest clothes.

More Natural Laundry Products

I’m a big fan of making laundry products, as they’re cheap and effective. That’s what I teach in my course, Natural Cleaning Made Easy. Here are a few of my favorite products.

• Homemade Detergent Recipe: Pick your favorite, either homemade liquid soap or powder laundry soap. ​
• Best Store-Bought Laundry Detergents: Don’t want to make your own laundry soap? Here are the best store-bought detergents.
• Stain Remover: Combining the power of castile soap, lemon essential oil, and hydrogen peroxide. This stain remover is excellent for pre-treating laundry and tackles any stain!
• Bleach Alternative: Avoid bleach with this simple formula. Perfect for soaking fabrics that are dull and need brightening.

Laundry Detergent Ingredients to Avoid 

This list comes from Molly’s Suds, a long-time natural laundry soap company.

Not everyone agrees on what is considered “natural” or “toxic.” These words get tossed around a lot and there’s research on both sides, both for the use of an ingredient and against it. But this list is a great place to start when doing your own research.

• Synthetic Fragrances
• Artificial Dyes
• Optical Brighteners
• Chlorine
• Formaldehyde
• Synthetic Nonylphenol Ethoxylates
• Phosphates
• Phthalates
• Methylisothiazolinone
• Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
• 1,4-Dioxane

How to Easily Find The Best Detergent Options

According to EPA.gov, “Unlike food products, manufacturers of chemical products are not required to list ingredients on their containers or make them public.”

A cleaning product doesn’t need to list all ingredients. And most include only active ingredients on the bottle. For this reason, it can be challenging to navigate cleaning products. Just going by the word “natural” on an ingredient list doesn’t mean anything, as no qualifications make a product “natural.” 

Two easy ways to find great brands and research products:

• Laundry detergents and other cleaning products may contain certifications easily identified on the label. These certifications range from the Green Seal to the Leaping Bunny Seal. Learn about each certification and what to look for.
• You can also research cleaners and cleaning ingredients using the Environmental Working Group’s website. 

Best Natural Laundry Detergents (Store-Bought) 

• What Made My List & Why? After many years of testing and research, here are the laundry detergent options that work the best. I’ve only recommended laundry products that meet my strict cleaning requirements: clean clothes, don’t leave behind residue, work in all washers (including high-efficiency washing machines), and don’t leave clothes with an awkward scent. 
• Transparency is Important: These options perform just as well as conventional laundry detergents, like Tide or Gain. However, they take pride in their ingredients, using biodegradable ingredients, plant-derived ingredients, and natural scents (like essential oils). The companies also willingly list all the ingredients (not just active ones) so you can research and determine if the ingredients align with what you need/desire. They may not all be “perfect,” but I think they’re better than traditional laundry detergent. 
• Where to Buy? Some detergent brands on this list may be found at a local grocery store (depending on your area), and others may be ordered online (Thrive Market, Amazon, and other online retailers). 

Best Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipes

One of the easiest ways to avoid potentially harmful chemicals (source) is to make your laundry detergent. Here are my top 3 DIY laundry detergent recipes. 

12. Liquid Laundry Detergent

This popular recipe combines washing soda, liquid castile soap, and borax to create a powerful liquid laundry soap that lifts dirt, removes fresh stains, and brightens clothes. It’s easy to make, taking just 15 minutes from start to finish. 

Cost to Make: $6-8

Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent Recipe

With four simple ingredients and ten minutes, you can make your own homemade laundry soap. Nothing fancy, just simple ingredients that freshen, deodorize, fight stains, and remove dirt.

Make This Recipe

13. Laundry Detergent Powder

If you love powder laundry soap, this is a great recipe. It works best with hot water, as this is the case with most powder laundry soaps. The ingredients are similar to liquid laundry soap, made with castile soap (bar form), washing soda, and borax. 

Cost to Make: $8

DIY Homemade Powder Laundry Detergent Recipe

Made with simple ingredients: castile soap bars, borax, and washing soda. Easy to make in just 5 minutes with a long shelf life.

Make This Recipe

14. Borax-Free Laundry Soap Powder

Some folks don’t care for borax. If that’s you and you want to make DIY laundry soap without borax, this powder soap is the best formula.

Cost to Make: $8

(No-Borax) Homemade Laundry Soap with Natural Laundry Softener

Homemade laundry soap made with natural ingredients. This easy-to-make laundry soap can be used just like a powder store-bought soap. 

Make This Recipe

More Natural Laundry Products

I’m a big fan of making laundry products, as they’re cheap and effective. That’s what I teach in my course, Natural Cleaning Made Easy. Here are a few of my favorite products.

• Stain Remover: Combining the power of castile soap, lemon essential oil, and hydrogen peroxide. This stain remover is great for pre-treating laundry and tackles just about any stain!
• Fabric Softener: Made with epsom salt and essential oils.
• Wool Dryer Balls: Make your own dryer balls as an alternative to dryer sheets. Or, purchase pre-made dryer balls. I also show you how to make your own dryer sheets in my cleaning course.
• Bleach Alternative: Brighten whites with this simple 3-ingredient formula.

Before You Get Started: What You’ll Need

This recipe is a great starting point. Use the recipe (just wax and wicks) and customize with your favorite scents (I love to combine rosemary and lavender essential oils) or go all natural with no added scents. 

Candle Ingredients 

• 4 cups of wax: either soy wax flakes or beeswax pellets
• 2 wicks: Wicks with a metal base are the easiest to work with. I have no experience with wooden wicks.
• (OPTIONAL) 1 teaspoon dried herbs, 60 drops essential oils, or fragrance oils: For naturally-scented candles. Fragrance oils have a stronger, longer-lasting scent, but most fragrance oils are not natural. Essential oils have a very subtle scent. And dried herbs, like dried lavender or dried rosemary, may be used for decoration.

​Candle-Making Equipment

• Small cooking pot/saucepan: You’ll fill this pot with water to make a double boiler. The wax will not come into contact with this pot, so use what you have in the kitchen.
• Wax melting pot: Such as a medium-size glass mixing bowl, metal mixing bowl, tall glass measuring cup, or candle pourer. You’ll never be able to use this pot for anything other than candle making, as the wax will adhere to the pot and be difficult to scrape off and remove. 
• 2 8-ounce heat-safe jars: mason jars, glass jam jars, tin cans, tea cups, etc. Or use 4 4-ounce jars for smaller candles. Any kind of high-rimmed, heat-proof jar will work for candle making. 
• 2 clothespins or mechanical pencils: For keeping the tall wicks upright in the jars.
• 2 washcloths or small towels: This isn’t required. Insulting the outside of the candle jar with a towel can prevent the wax from cooling too fast which may cause shrinkage and cracks at the top of the candle.
• 1 wooden skewer, popsicle stick, or chopstick: Also not required, unless adding a fragrance. For stirring the fragrance into the melted wax. Use something you can toss (or purposely reuse for candle-making) as wax will adhere to this utensil.

How to Make Homemade Candles: Step-by-Step Guide

Once you have your ingredients and tools, you’ll need about 20 minutes to make the candles.

You’ll find a printable version of the ingredients and instructions at the end of this article. Here’s my step-by-step guide with photos to guide you…

• Step 1:  Add water to the saucepan/pot, about 1/2 way full. Place your heat-safe bowl, tall glass measuring cup, or candle pourer either in the water or sitting on top of the water-filled pot (either way is safe). This is called the double boiler method, which keeps the wax out of direct contact with the heat source and avoids burning the wax. 
• Step 2: Add the soy flakes or beeswax pellets to the bowl. Then turn the heat to medium-high, bringing the water in the pot/saucepan to a lively simmer.
• Step 3: Allow the wax to completely melt. This takes about 15 minutes (more or less). Soy wax melts much faster, beeswax pellets take a bit longer. 
• Step 4: Once melted, place the candle jars on a towel (to protect your countertop) and dip the metal part of each candle wick in the hot wax.
• Step 5: Place the metal base of the wick at the bottom of each jar. Use a clothespin or mechanical pencil (the clip portion works well) to secure the wick, placing the pin or pencil on top of the jar to keep the wick upright. 
• Step 6: Pour the melted wax into the jars.
• Step 7: For a scented candle, add drops of natural essential oils, candle fragrance oil (according to the package), or any dried herbs (like dried lavender or dried rosemary). The wax will instantly begin to harden as it comes in contact with the jar. Let the wax cool and solidify. This takes about 20 minutes, or longer.

FAQs

• What’s the best kind of wax to use for homemade candles? Paraffin wax is a common wax used to make candles; however, it’s derived from petroleum and not the best natural product. Soy wax and beeswax are both natural waxes that are inexpensive and easy to find. Both soy candles and beeswax candles are slow-burning. Soy holds fragrance better than beeswax. But beeswax has its own honey scent, which many folks (including myself) find appealing.
• Can you reuse old candle jars to make homemade candles? Yes, you can! It’s a great way to save money. Place the used candle jars in the freezer. After a couple of days, remove the jars and gently scrape out the old wax and wick. Or, leave the old wax and just remove the wick, since you’ll be re-pouring new wax overtop anyway.
• The wax cracked on top of my candles. What can I do? Melt a bit more wax and fill in the cracks with the wax. The candles are still usable with tunneling or cracks in the wax; it’s just a cosmetic issue.

Give this candle recipe a try and tell me what you think and how you decide to customize your candles!

How to Clean Your Home With Baking Soda (19 Ways!)

1. Clean the Kitchen Sink and Remove Food/Grease Build-Up

• Sprinkle baking soda over the surface of the sink.
• Use a scrub brush or sponge to gently scrub the surface with the baking soda in a circular motion. Watch the grease and dirt/food build-up magically disappear.
• Rinse the surface with clean water.
• If you’d like to add a fresh lemon scent, mix a few drops of lemon essential oil with the baking soda, and then follow the steps above.

I’ve done this with ceramic (white) and stainless steel sinks. For an extra dirty sink, add a squirt of dish soap and scrub the soap and baking soda over the surface.

Learn how to clean the sink with baking soda and other natural ingredients. 

2. Clean the Bathroom Tub and Sink

• Sprinkle baking soda over the surface of a bathtub and sink.
• Use a scrub brush, sponge, or damp cloth to gently scrub the surface with the baking soda in a circular motion. As you scrub, build-up will lift away, leaving behind a sparkly tub and sink.
• If you’d like to add a fresh lemon scent, mix a few drops of lemon essential oil with the baking soda.

Or, make a baking soda paste in a small bowl by combining baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and castile soap.  

3. Deodorize and Freshen Carpets and Rugs

Between pets and kids, our carpets and rugs are subjected to all sorts of fun activities. Here’s how to keep I carpets and rugs fresh and odor-free…

• Sprinkle rugs and carpets with baking soda (optional: whisk with a few drops of a favorite essential oil, like lavender essential oil). 
• Wait at least 30 minutes. 
• Vacuum the area. 

4. Deodorize and Freshen Bed Mattresses

• Lightly sprinkle baking soda onto an exposed mattress (no sheets). 
• Wait 30 minutes. 
• Use a hose attachment to vacuum the surface.

5. Deodorize and Freshen Pet Bedding

• Generously sprinkle baking soda onto pet bedding. 
• Wait 30 minutes. 
• Vacuum the bedding with a hose attachment. 

6. Deodorize the Fridge or Freezer

Regularly cleaning the fridge helps take care of most odors. Help minimize odors in between cleanings by adding an open box of baking soda to the back of your fridge or freezer.

• Combine baking soda (1 cup) and a few drops of lemon essential oil in a storage container. The essential oil is optional.
• Store the open container/mason jar in the fridge. 
• After one month, dump the baking soda (or use it to clean your sink or toilet bowl), and create a new deodorizer.

7. Deodorize and Freshen Toilets

• Generously sprinkle baking soda into the toilet bowl. 
• Wait 10 minutes. 
• Use a toilet brush to scrub away stains and odors.
• If you’d like to add a fresh lemon scent, mix a few drops of lemon essential oil with the baking soda, and then follow the steps above.

Alternatively, make a homemade toilet bowl cleaner with castile soap, water, and baking soda. 

8. Deodorize and Freshen Garbage Cans

• Sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of a trash bin to keep odors away. 
• Discard and refresh the baking soda every few weeks. 
• If you don’t want to sprinkle baking soda in your trash can, sprinkle the powder in a short cardboard box first, then place the box at the bottom of your trash can.

9. Deodorize and Freshen Sneakers

• Sprinkle baking soda in stinky sneakers.
• Let the baking soda rest all night in the shoes.
• In the morning, shake out the shoes to remove the baking soda.
• The odor-neutralizing powder will naturally get rid of the stinky odor in smelly shoes.

10. Clean and Remove Crayon Marks from Walls

Thankfully, we’re past the scribbling-on-the-wall stage of parenting. In the past, when crayon marks were accidentally added to the wall decor, I used baking soda to remove the unwanted drawings. Here’s how to do that…

• Sprinkle a clean wet cloth (or wet sponge) with baking soda. 
• Gently wipe the wall with the cloth until the crayon marks disappears. 
• Repeat as needed until the crayon disappears from the surface. 

11. Clean and Brighten Pots

Enameled Dutch ovens are my favorite pots to use for cooking. (I use Lodge Brand.) The pots can be used to make bread, soup, beans, chicken, or steam veggies. They’re also beautiful statement pieces. While the outside of the pots may look gorgeous, the inside can quickly go from white to brown (due to food, heat, etc).

• To clean the interior, fill a pot with water (about 3/4 of the way full), add 1/3 cup of baking soda, bring the water and baking soda to a boil, then turn off the heat. 
• After about 30 minutes, dump the dirty water, sprinkle the wet interior generously with more baking soda, scrub the surface with a textured sponge. 
• Rinse the interior with fresh water.

​Baking soda also works to clean stainless steel pots using the same method. 

12. Deodorize Wooden Cutting Boards

I love to use salt and a lemon to deodorize my wooden cutting boards, but that’s not the only simple formula that will deodorize a board. Here’s another way to clean smelly cutting boards…

• Sprinkle baking soda onto a wooden cutting board, scrub the baking soda over the surface, and rinse with fresh water.
• If you’d like to add a fresh lemon scent, mix a few drops of lemon essential oil with the baking soda.

13. Clean the Bottom of the Oven

• Sprinkle baking soda across the bottom of your oven surface, then spray the surface (and baking soda) with water. 
• Allow the wet baking soda to sit for a few hours. 
• Use a textured sponge to scrub away the baked-on grime inside of your oven. 
• Wipe the surface with a wet cloth, until the surface is clean.

Pro Tip: If the oven is super greasy, mix the baking soda with dish soap and water to create a paste. Scrub the paste inside the oven, let rest, then use a clean sponge and water to scrub and rinse the surface.

14. Make Your Own Laundry Soap 

Make your own laundry soap powder by combining: 

• 1 5-ounce castile soap bar (shredded)
• 1 cup washing soda
• 1 cup baking soda
• 1 cup kosher salt
• 30-40 drops essential oil (optional)

Here’s how to make this easy laundry soap recipe. 

15. Bathroom All Purpose Cleaner

Make an all-purpose bathroom cleaner for toilets, sinks and tubs, tile and grout, and all other bathroom surfaces (except glass surfaces-you’ll want to make this glass cleaner instead). Combine…

• 2 cups warm distilled water
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 2 tablespoon liquid castile soap
• 30 drops tea tree essential oil
• 20 drops sweet orange essential oil

Here’s how to make bathroom all-purpose cleaner.

16. Clean Produce

To clean fresh produce, make a vinegar bath or use baking soda. To use baking soda…

• In a large bowl or sink, combine 1 teaspoon baking soda with 2 cups of water (increase amounts depending on how much produce you have). 
• Add fruit to the solution and soak for 10 minutes. 
• Remove the produce and rinse under clean water.

17. Remove Stubborn Stickers and Sticker Residue From Surfaces

• Combine olive oil and baking soda in a small bowl to make a paste.
• Apply the paste to a surface with a stubborn sticker or sticker residue.
• Let the paste rest on the surface, then give the area a good scrub.
• Repeat until the sticker residue disappears. 

Recipe from Natural Cleaning Made Easy. 

What to Avoid Doing

• Don’t Mix Vinegar & Baking Soda – Many recipes online combine baking soda and vinegar. However, this combo produces a chemical reaction and is not an effective cleaning product. Baking soda (a base) and vinegar (acid) cancel each other out resulting in nothing more than salty water. Never mix apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, or any other kind of vinegar with baking soda. 

What’s your favorite way to use baking soda to clean, deodorize, and freshen your home?

Key Takeaways

• To make this liquid toilet cleaner, you’ll need simple ingredients and no harsh chemicals: castile soap, baking soda, and water. 
• Use this cleaner instead of store-bought toilet bowl cleaner. Yep, goodbye harsh chemicals. 
• Use this recipe to clean toilets (removing dirt and grime), remove hard water and most other toilet bowl stains, and dissolve odors.
• You can store this cleaner for up to 1 month. So make a bottle today and use it each week to naturally clean your toilets.

Recipe 2: Castile Soap All-Purpose Spray

• 1 16-ounce glass spray bottle
• 2 cups distilled water (water with impurities removed; found at any grocery store)
• 2 tablespoons scented or unscented liquid castile soap OR 1 teaspoon Sal Suds (a detergent-based soap that’s tougher than castile soap) 
• Optional: 15-30 drops of your favorite essential oil

Instructions

• Add the water to the spray bottle, followed by the castile soap (or Sal Suds), and (if using) essential oil of choice.
• Place the spray nozzle on the bottle and gently shake the bottle to combine the ingredients. You’ll want to do this each time you use the cleaner, particularly if it’s been sitting and the ingredients have settled or separated.

Best Natural Cleaning Recipes to Make Next

• homemade glass and mirror cleaner
• best homemade bathroom cleaners
• tub and sink scrub
• stain remover spray (for tough stains)
• homemade laundry detergent

More Laundry Recipes

• Homemade Powder Laundry Soap
• Homemade Powder Laundry Soap Without Borax
• DIY Laundry Softener
• Homemade Fabric Softener and Scent Booster
• Homemade Stain Remover

Key Takeaways

• You only need a few natural ingredients to make multiple bottles of stain remover spray: vegetable glycerin, water, liquid castile soap, hydrogen peroxide, and lemon essential oil. You can easily find these ingredients in the grocery store or online (like Amazon).
• Use this stain remover to remove many different stains on fabrics (including sofas, carpets, and clothing): food stains, pet stains, grass stains, baby stains, and more.
• Store this recipe in a dark amber bottle for up to 1 month in the laundry room.

More Easy Stain Remover Options

The good news is my homemade stain remover spray will conquer just about any stain!

I also want to provide you with a guide for how to use natural household ingredients to tackle stains. Different types of stains require different types of solutions.

There are 8 simple ingredients that work best for natural stain removal, no matter what kind of stain you need to conquer. Here are the best options that can easily be found at most grocery stores.

• SOAP – Liquid castile soap or Sal Suds are fantastic for removing grease stains.
• BAKING SODA – Remove any oily stain, rust stains, crayon on surfaces, permanent marker on surfaces, and freshening the laundry. For rust stains and cleaning, combine baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and castile soap (scrub recipe). How to use baking soda for stain removal and cleaning.
• LEMONS – Apply lemon juice to a garment to remove yellow underarm stains on white clothes. And remove rust stains on surfaces.
• WHITE VINEGAR – Remove mildew stains with vinegar. And remove yellow underarm stains: spray a garment with vinegar, rest, then scrub and wash with laundry soap.
• BORAX – Borax is a naturally-occurring mineral and safe for the environment. Used to make liquid homemade laundry soap and powdered laundry soap to boost the soap’s effectiveness and fight against stains. Make homemade bleach alternative using Borax and Washing Soda.
• TABLE SALT – Used to soften hard water (homemade laundry softener with salt) and lift red wine stains. Immeadiately after a wine spill, sprinkle the surface with salt. Allow time for the salt to absorb the wine, then brush the salt off and wash the garment with laundry soap.
• CORN STARCH – Absorbs grease and oil stains. Immeadiately after an oil stain occurs, sprinkle the garment with corn starch and rub the area. Allow the starch to rest for 10 minutes, then wash the garment with laundry soap. Do NOT dry until the oil stain is fully removed.
• VEGETABLE GLYCERIN – A natural solvent, glycerin works to easily lift stains from garments.