DIY Natural Laundry Soap: Non-Toxic, Sensitive Skin Safe & Budget-Friendly (No Soap Grating Needed!)
- Teja Spearman
- May 3
- 4 min read
DIY Laundry Detergent for Sensitive Skin | Natural, Non-Toxic & Multi-Purpose Cleaner

Learn how to make ultra-effective, sensitive skin safe laundry soap with no grating & no toxins—just clean clothes & huge savings! 🧼 Bonus Use: This DIY laundry soap also doubles as a powerful scrub for sinks, tubs, and toilets—just pair with natural dish soap!
🧺 Why Switch to Natural Laundry Soap?
As a natural products maker and founder of West Texas Soap Co., I’ve used this exact laundry soap recipe for years — both in my home and in the products I sell. It’s gentle, effective, and completely natural, making it a perfect fit for sensitive skin, cloth diapers, baby clothes, and even greasy workwear.
Laundry soap is one of the first items I tell people to switch in their home if they are suffering from any health issues or hope to prevent health issues. It is used on your clothes, bedding, and towels, you are in contact with it 24/7, inhaled, and absorbed through the skin.
Many mainstream liquid laundry detergents, including those marketed as “gentle” or “baby safe,” often contain synthetic fragrances, preservatives, and surfactants that have been flagged by ingredient safety organizations like the Environmental Working Group (EWG) due to their link to developmental delays, endocrine disruption, reproductive health effects, and more. See their report on ingredients found in leading newborn laundry soap here or type your favorite laundry soap brand into the search box to see the safety level. Some states have even taken steps to restrict certain chemical ingredients due to environmental or health concerns.
That’s why I use this powdered laundry soap recipe: simple, non-toxic, affordable, and free from questionable additives. No messy soap grating required. Just real, accessible ingredients that get the job done — without compromising your family’s health or your peace of mind. It's the easiest ways to cut daily toxins, protect sensitive skin, and even save money!
💸 Huge Savings for Families (Without Sacrificing Health)
With the rising cost of everything, this simple laundry powder can save your family hundreds of dollars per year. Unlike many DIY recipes, this one does not require grating soap bars (messy and unnecessary!). You’ll only need 1 tablespoon per load—seriously, a little goes a long way.
It’s safe for:
Sensitive skin
Cloth diapers
Mechanic grime & tough stains
Everyday laundry needs
🫧 My Exact DIY Natural Laundry Soap Recipe
Ingredient | Amount | Benefits |
Washing Soda | 1 cup | Boosts cleaning power, softens water, breaks down grime and oils. |
Baking Soda | 1 cup | Neutralizes odors, softens water, gently lifts dirt and stains. |
Epsom Salt (plain) | 1/3 cup | Helps deodorize, softens water, and reduces mineral buildup. |
Sea Salt | 1.5 tablespoons | Naturally abrasive for stain-fighting, water-softening, and fabric freshening. |
Essential Oil (optional) | 10 drops (peppermint/lavender) | Deodorizes during washing (scent won't linger after drying). |
📝 Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
Mix with spoon slowly in a well-ventilated area (powder in the air from mixing vigorously can irritate nose/throat).
Store in a jar with a tablespoon scoop.
Use 1 tablespoon per load—add directly to the washer before clothes.
For tough stains, you can use 1.5 tablespoons, but no more.
🧼 Pro Tips:
For a scent boost after washing, add a few drops of essential oil to wool dryer balls or a clean old washcloth you don't mind staining in the dryer.
Pair with 1/3 cup white vinegar in the rinse cycle for extra soft, fresh laundry. Or simply add in the beginning for a cleaner fresher load.
This laundry powder doubles as a powerful sink, tub, and toilet cleaner when used with natural dish soap (Ecos Free & Gentle is a favorite).
Be cautious on delicate surfaces—its scrubbing power can be too much for scratch-prone materials.
Always wear gloves when cleaning with it to avoid skin irritation.
🔢 Cost Per Load Breakdown:
🧼 DIY Laundry Soap Cost Breakdown (based on Walmart prices)
📌 Ingredients & Costs:
Washing Soda – $5.39 for 55 oz→ 1 cup = ~8 oz → Cost per batch: ~$0.78
Baking Soda – $1 for 16 oz (1 lb)→ 1 cup = ~8 oz → Cost per batch: ~$0.50
Epsom Salt – $4 for 64 oz (4 lb)→ 1/3 cup = ~4 oz → Cost per batch: ~$0.25
Sea Salt – $3.20 for 26 oz→ 1.5 tbsp = ~1 oz → Cost per batch: ~$0.12
Essential Oils (optional) – price varies (minimal per batch)
🧮 Total Cost per Batch:
$0.78 + $0.50 + $0.25 + $0.12 = $1.65 total
Each batch yields around 32 tablespoons, since 1 cup = 16 tbsp.
➡️ Cost per Load:
1 tablespoon per load = ~$0.05 (5 cents)If using ½ tbsp extra for heavy loads: still under 7–8 cents per load.
💰 Compare to Store-Bought:
DIY detergent = 5–8¢ per load
Tide/Dreft/commercial detergents = 20–30¢+ per load
🧺 You save 3–5x per load, and get a healthier, natural alternative!
🌿 Cleaner Clothes, Cleaner Life
This simple recipe helps you ditch harsh chemicals, save money, and still enjoy fresh, clean clothes—even on a tight budget. With no grating, no gooey mess, and no mystery ingredients, it’s one of my all-time favorites.
👉 Shop My Pure Essential Oil Blends as well as my other handmade by me natural products [Click Here]

