Tariffs Are Here: Save Money with DIY Laundry Scent Boosters and Detergents
Tariffs Announced: Save Money with DIY Laundry Scent Boosters and Detergents
With rising tariffs increasing the cost of household essentials, making your own laundry detergent and scent booster can save you money without compromising freshness or effectiveness. This guide shows you how to make both liquid and dry laundry scent boosters and a DIY laundry detergent powder that’s cost-effective, eco-friendly, and easy to store for over a year.
By combining simple, inexpensive ingredients, you can achieve laundry that smells amazing while saving pennies per load.
What You’ll Need
For DIY Laundry Detergent Powder
- Borax (found in the laundry aisle)
Luonix Borax in a resealable bucket.Acts as a natural multipurpose cleaner & laundry additive. Use for deodorizing fridges, toilets & more. Products that bring results.Packaged in the USA
- Washing Soda (not baking soda, also found in the laundry aisle)
One 55 oz box of ARM & HAMMER Super Washing Soda Household Cleaner and Laundry Booster100% fragrance-free and phosphate-free washing soda neutralizes and eliminates odors naturally without the use of heavy fragrances, leaving a long-lasting fresh and neutral clean scent
- Bar Soap (e.g., Fels-Naptha, Zote, or natural castile soap like Dr. Bronner’s)
Fels Naptha Laundry Soap Bar is a trusted and powerful stain remover that effectively removes tough grime and dirt from your laundry. It’s gentle on fabrics and safe for all washing machines. The 5.0 oz bar comes in a convenient 2 pack, making it perfect for families and those who do a lot of laundry. For generations, Fels Naptha has been a go-to choice for tackling stubborn stains and keeping clothes looking their best. Try it today and experience the difference for yourself!
For a delicate wash.Pink laundry soap with a minimum fatty acid content of (66%).7.0 ounces bars
NOW SOURCING REGENERATIVE ORGANIC CERTIFIED COCONUT, PALM, AND OLIVE OIL: Grown by fairly-paid farmers to ensure sustainable harvesting through intercropping, biodiversity, & reforestation—providing the smooth & creamy lather of our soaps while benefiting farmers, the planet & you.
- Essential Oils (optional, for added fragrance)
High Quality Glass Bottle with Free Droppe: The fragrance oils come in high-quality glass bottles and are infused with a UV coating to protect the fragrance oils from sunlight and degradation. It also comes with a dropper for easy use.
A safe recipe to make your life easier and toxin-free. ARVIDSSON Laundry Fragrance Oils Set include six naturally fresh scents: Fresh Linen, Citrus Clean, Laundry Day, Chamomile Bliss, Crisp Breeze, Meet Minty. These oils are formulated to freshen and scent laundry, making them a safe choice for the whole family.
- Cheese Grater or Food Processor
STACK AND SNAP TECHNOLOGY FOR EASY ASSEMBLY: With this well-designed food processor, you can skip frustrating, awkward assembly. Stack & Snap technology provides easy assembly and removes the need for difficult twist-locking.
- Airtight Container
For DIY Dry Laundry Scent Booster
- Epsom Salt or Coarse Sea Salt
- Baking Soda (neutralizes odors)
- Essential Oils (customizable for your preferred scent)
- Mixing Bowl
- Storage Jar
For DIY Liquid Laundry Detergent and Scent Booster
- Borax
Luonix Borax in a resealable bucket.Acts as a natural multipurpose cleaner & laundry additive. Use for deodorizing fridges, toilets & more. Products that bring results.Packaged in the USA
- Washing Soda
- Bar Soap (grated)
Fels Naptha Laundry Soap Bar is a trusted and powerful stain remover that effectively removes tough grime and dirt from your laundry. It’s gentle on fabrics and safe for all washing machines. The 5.0 oz bar comes in a convenient 2 pack, making it perfect for families and those who do a lot of laundry. For generations, Fels Naptha has been a go-to choice for tackling stubborn stains and keeping clothes looking their best. Try it today and experience the difference for yourself!
For a delicate wash.Pink laundry soap with a minimum fatty acid content of (66%).7.0 ounces bars
NOW SOURCING REGENERATIVE ORGANIC CERTIFIED COCONUT, PALM, AND OLIVE OIL: Grown by fairly-paid farmers to ensure sustainable harvesting through intercropping, biodiversity, & reforestation—providing the smooth & creamy lather of our soaps while benefiting farmers, the planet & you.
- Essential Oils
High Quality Glass Bottle with Free Droppe: The fragrance oils come in high-quality glass bottles and are infused with a UV coating to protect the fragrance oils from sunlight and degradation. It also comes with a dropper for easy use.
A safe recipe to make your life easier and toxin-free. ARVIDSSON Laundry Fragrance Oils Set include six naturally fresh scents: Fresh Linen, Citrus Clean, Laundry Day, Chamomile Bliss, Crisp Breeze, Meet Minty. These oils are formulated to freshen and scent laundry, making them a safe choice for the whole family.
- Distilled Water
- Large Pot
- 5-Gallon Bucket with Lid
- Storage Bottles or Jars
How to Make DIY Laundry Detergent Powder
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Borax
Luonix Borax in a resealable bucket.Acts as a natural multipurpose cleaner & laundry additive. Use for deodorizing fridges, toilets & more. Products that bring results.Packaged in the USA
- 1 cup Washing Soda
- 1 bar soap (grated)
Fels Naptha Laundry Soap Bar is a trusted and powerful stain remover that effectively removes tough grime and dirt from your laundry. It’s gentle on fabrics and safe for all washing machines. The 5.0 oz bar comes in a convenient 2 pack, making it perfect for families and those who do a lot of laundry. For generations, Fels Naptha has been a go-to choice for tackling stubborn stains and keeping clothes looking their best. Try it today and experience the difference for yourself!
For a delicate wash.Pink laundry soap with a minimum fatty acid content of (66%).7.0 ounces bars
NOW SOURCING REGENERATIVE ORGANIC CERTIFIED COCONUT, PALM, AND OLIVE OIL: Grown by fairly-paid farmers to ensure sustainable harvesting through intercropping, biodiversity, & reforestation—providing the smooth & creamy lather of our soaps while benefiting farmers, the planet & you.
- Optional: 20-30 drops of essential oil
Instructions:
- Grate the Bar Soap
- Use a cheese grater or food processor to finely grate the soap. Smaller pieces dissolve more easily in water.
- Mix the Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, combine grated soap, Borax, and Washing Soda.
- Optional: Add Essential Oils
- For added fragrance, mix in 20-30 drops of your favorite essential oil (e.g., lavender, eucalyptus, or citrus).
- Store the Mixture
- Transfer the detergent powder into an airtight container to keep it fresh.
- Use: Add 2 tablespoons per load of laundry.
For a full tutorial of how to make your laundry soap, click here for my full post.
How to Make DIY Dry Laundry Scent Booster
Ingredients:
- 2 cups Epsom Salt or Coarse Sea Salt
- ½ cup Baking Soda
- Optional: 40-50 drops of essential oil
Instructions:
- Mix the Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, combine Epsom Salt (or Sea Salt) with Baking Soda.
- Add Essential Oils
- Drip your chosen essential oil(s) over the mixture and stir until evenly combined.
- Store in a Jar
- Transfer the mixture to a storage jar or container with a lid.
- Use: Add 2-3 tablespoons directly to the drum of your washing machine for each load.
How to Make DIY Liquid Laundry Detergent with Scent Booster
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Borax
Luonix Borax in a resealable bucket.Acts as a natural multipurpose cleaner & laundry additive. Use for deodorizing fridges, toilets & more. Products that bring results.Packaged in the USA
- 1 cup Washing Soda
One 55 oz box of ARM & HAMMER Super Washing Soda Household Cleaner and Laundry Booster100% fragrance-free and phosphate-free washing soda neutralizes and eliminates odors naturally without the use of heavy fragrances, leaving a long-lasting fresh and neutral clean scent
- 1 bar soap (grated)
- 4 gallons distilled water
- Optional: 30-40 drops of essential oil
Instructions:
- Grate and Melt the Soap
- In a large pot, combine grated soap and 1 gallon of distilled water. Heat on medium until the soap is fully dissolved.
- Add Borax and Washing Soda
- Stir in 1 cup each of Borax and Washing Soda until completely dissolved.
- Combine with Additional Water
- Pour the mixture into a 5-gallon bucket and add 3 more gallons of distilled water. Stir well.
- Add Essential Oils
- Mix in 30-40 drops of essential oil for a pleasant scent.
- Let It Set
- Cover the bucket and let the detergent sit for 24 hours to thicken.
- Store and Use
- Transfer to smaller bottles or jars. Shake before use and add ½ to 1 cup per load.
Why DIY Laundry Products Work
Homemade laundry detergent and scent boosters use effective, natural ingredients that break down dirt and odors without the unnecessary chemicals found in commercial products. Plus, they’re customizable, affordable, and better for the environment!
Tips for Storing DIY Laundry Products
- Use airtight containers for powders to prevent clumping.
- For liquids, store in sealed bottles in a cool, dry place. Shake before each use.
- Label your products with the date made to keep track of shelf life.
Final Thoughts
Making your own laundry scent boosters and detergents is a simple way to save money, reduce waste, and avoid unnecessary chemicals. With these recipes, you’ll be spending pennies per load while keeping your laundry fresh, clean, and wonderfully scented.
You May Also Like
The starter kit for Cricut.
12 Black-owned Yarn Shops.
