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If you’ve been searching for an eczema-safe laundry detergent that’s still strong enough to handle heavy-duty sweat, grime, and lake water funk, you’re not alone. I’ve spent years chasing that balance: something gentle enough for my son’s sensitive, eczema-prone skin, yet powerful enough to clean my husband’s sweat-soaked, lake-worn clothes without leaving them smelly, or worse, irritating. This homemade laundry detergent was a gamechanger!
And you know what? I finally found something that works.
I make it myself. And it’s not complicated.
Table of Contents
Our Skin Sensitivities
In our house, our oldest son has eczema, with skin flare ups with certain detergents, dyes, or synthetic fragrances. I don’t have eczema myself, but I’ve always had sensitive skin, the kind that gets itchy or blotchy after a detergent switch or a new fabric softener.
And then there’s my husband. He’s a hard worker, working out daily, doing constant yard work, and spending time in the lake we live on. Between sweating, lake water, and tight workout clothes, he started developing ingrown hairs on his legs and upper thighs. Not exactly fun, or comfortable. We realized that while his routine might be part of the cause, the detergent we were using was making things worse by clogging pores and irritating his already vulnerable skin, and maybe not even cleaning his clothes well enough.
That’s when I knew: it was time to ditch the store-bought stuff for good and try out some homemade laundry detergent.
The Recipe I Swear By
I researched, tested, adjusted, and ultimately landed on a homemade recipe that’s safe enough for my son’s eczema, gentle enough for my own skin, and cleansing enough for my husband’s gritty, sweaty laundry.
And the best part? It doesn’t cost a fortune, doesn’t contain any weird chemicals, and leaves clothes smelling clean, not perfumey or “masked.”
Ingredients
- 2 cups washing soda
- 2 cups baking soda
- 2 bars unscented Castile soap, finely grated
(I use Dr. Bronner’s Baby Unscented or Kirk’s Fragrance-Free) - 1 cup Epsom salts
(this helps soften water and clothes, reduces static, and may even be soothing to skin) - (Optional: 3-6 drops total of lavender and lemon essential oils – especially for extra-sensitive loads like baby bedding)
That’s it. No borax. No fragrance. No dyes.
Just effective, safe, skin-friendly cleaning.
How I Make My Homemade Laundry Detergent
Let me tell you from experience: don’t mix this inside with the windows closed. The washing soda and baking soda are fine powders that puff into the air and irritate your throat or nose if you inhale them.
I learned that lesson early on. Now I either:
- Mix it on our patio table, or
- Use a large mixing bowl in the garage with the door open, or
- Crack windows and wear a mask if I’m stuck indoors
Instructions:
- Grate the Castile soap using a cheese grater or food processor (fine texture is best).
- Add baking soda, washing soda, and Epsom salts to a large bowl or bucket.
- Stir well until everything is evenly mixed.
- If using essential oils, mix them with a small amount of baking soda first to help distribute the scent evenly, then add to the mixture. I use and love Plant Therapy essential oils as they are USDA organic, excellent quality, and kid friendly.
- Pour into an airtight container for storage.
Storage tip: I use this clear container on Amazon, it fits a double batch perfectly (I always double the recipe above because I’m not making this weekly), has an airtight lid to keep moisture out, and is simple and fits in the basket on my laundry shelf.
How to Use It
- For regular loads: 1 tablespoon
- For large or extra-smelly loads (ahem, my husband’s lake or workout laundry): 2 tablespoons
- For fabric softening: Add 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle- it naturally softens and removes residue
It’s safe for HE and front-loading machines too, just pop the powder directly into the drum.
Real-Life Use: It’s Tough on Smells, Not on Skin
One day last summer, my husband came in from a days worth of yard work drenched in sweat. He’d already been in the lake earlier that morning and had pulled on workout shorts for a quick strength circuit after. His clothes were not pleasant.
I tossed them in the washer with 2 tablespoons of this homemade detergent, added vinegar to the rinse, and crossed my fingers.
The result?
Fresh-smelling, soft clothes, and no skin irritation for any of us.
Not even him. The ingrown hair situation started improving too. I can’t say it was just the detergent, but eliminating fragrance-laden, residue-heavy detergent definitely helped. His skin stopped reacting as much. The flare-ups reduced.
And our youngest? No more eczema flare-ups from wearing freshly washed clothes or sleeping on his sheets.
Why It Works
Here’s the breakdown:
| Ingredient | Why I Use It |
|---|---|
| Washing soda | Breaks down heavy stains, oils, and odors (but is still gentle) |
| Baking soda | Natural deodorizer, softens water |
| Castile soap | Pure, fragrance-free soap that doesn’t leave irritating residues |
| Epsom salts | Help soften fabric, reduce static, and may soothe skin |
| White vinegar (in rinse) | Removes residue, softens fabric, and freshens naturally |
This detergent leaves no weird coating on clothes, no overpowering scent, and no surprise skin reactions. It’s the real deal.
What I Don’t Use (And Why)
We avoid:
- Borax – too harsh for our son’s eczema and unnecessary in this blend
- Fabric softeners – leave a film on clothes and worsen sensitive skin issues
- “Free & clear” detergents with synthetic surfactants – still caused reactions in our house
Bonus Tips for Eczema + Sweaty Laundry
- Wash new clothes before first wear
- Use wool dryer balls to reduce static instead of dryer sheets
- Add 1/2 cup vinegar to every rinse (I just leave it in the softener dispenser)
- Use the extra rinse cycle if your machine has one
- Don’t overload the machine, let clothes swish freely
Try Out This Homemade Laundry Detergent
Making this switch to homemade laundry detergent wasn’t just about clean clothes. It was about peace of mind. Knowing I could help prevent eczema flare-ups for my son, reduce skin irritation for my husband, and skip the itchiness for myself, all while keeping laundry truly clean?
That’s a win.
And let’s be real, it feels good to make something with your own hands that supports your family’s health. It’s one more simple step toward a more intentional, natural, and practical lifestyle. One that doesn’t sacrifice performance just to be “clean.”
If you’re struggling with the same laundry battles we were, I encourage you to try this. One batch, one load at a time, you might just be surprised at how powerful a gentle clean can be.
With love,
Bri & Cat
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