In the world of DIY cleaning, making your own laundry soap is a fantastic way to save money, reduce your exposure to chemicals, and embrace eco-friendly practices. Plus! you can control the use of fragances.

However, when you’re working with a high-efficiency (HE) washing machine, one challenge arises: most traditional soap recipes create too much lather. This can interfere with how HE machines operate, leading to residue buildup or less effective cleaning.

In this blog post, I’ll walk you through a coconut oil-free laundry soap recipe that’s safe for sensitive skin, HE washing machines and perfect for tackling tough stains—without overwhelming suds. Let’s get started!

Why Go Coconut Oil-Free?

Coconut oil is a common ingredient in homemade soap because it produces great lather and has strong cleaning properties. However, for HE machines, low-suds soap is essential. Too much lather can cause performance issues in these machines, which are designed to use less water. Removing coconut oil from your recipe helps control sudsing while still delivering powerful cleaning results.

Our alternative? A blend of lard, olive oil, and cleaning boosters like washing soda and borax create a hard, long-lasting soap without the excess bubbles. If you are looking for a plant based alternative, subsitute Palm Oil for the lard or tallow. Make sure to look for sustainably sourced options to minimize environmental impact.

Unsustainable palm oil production contributes to deforestation, so it’s essential to source RSPO-certified (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) products to ensure ethical and sustainable farming practices.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

To create this low-suds, HE-friendly laundry soap, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 20 oz Lard or Tallow (provides a solid bar with good cleaning properties and minimal suds)
• 10 oz Olive Oil (softens the bar and adds some moisturizing properties)
• 4 oz Washing Soda (increases cleaning power and helps soften water)
• 4 oz Borax (optional, but enhances stain-fighting ability)
• 4.5 oz Lye (Sodium Hydroxide) (the essential ingredient for soap making)
• 12 oz Water

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Fragrance Free Laundry Soap:

1. Prepare Your Work Area:

Soap making involves working with lye, which is caustic. Make sure you’re wearing protective gear (gloves, goggles, and long sleeves) and that your workspace is well-ventilated.

2. Make the Lye Solution:

Carefully measure out 4.5 oz of lye and 12 oz of water. Use a heat safe plastic or glass container. Do not use tin or aluminum, it reacts with the lye.

Always add lye to water, never the other way around. Stir the mixture until the lye is fully dissolved. Let it cool to about 100-110°F.

3. Melt the Oils:

In a separate pot, melt the 20 oz of lard or tallow until fully liquefied. Once melted, add 10 oz of olive oil and mix. Allow the oils to cool to around 100-110°F.

4. Combine the Lye and Oils:

Slowly pour the cooled lye solution into the oil mixture. Mix continuesly with a stick blender until the soap reaches “trace” — this is when it thickens to the consistency of pudding.

5. Add Washing Soda and Borax:

Once your soap has reached trace, add 4 oz of washing soda and 4 oz of borax. Stir well to ensure they’re fully incorporated. These ingredients boost the soap’s cleaning power while keeping the lather to a minimum.

6. Pour into Mold:

Pour the soap into your prepared mold and let it sit for 24-48 hours to harden. Afterward, remove the soap from the molds and cut it into bars.

7. Cure the Soap:

Allow the soap to cure in a cool, dry place for 4-6 weeks. This allows for the saponification process to continue and for the soap to harden. Hardening prolongs the use of your soap.

How to Use Your Laundry Soap Bar to Remove Stains or as a Homemade Laundry Detergent

Once your soap has cured, it’s time to put it to work! To use this low-suds laundry soap in your HE washing machine, follow these simple steps:

1. Grate the Soap: Use a cheese grater to create fine shavings of your homemade soap. This helps it dissolve more easily in water.
2. Make a Liquid Concentrate: Melt soap shavings in two cups of water.
3. Mix Stain Remover: Use one table spoon of concentrate to a 16 oz amber spray bottle. Fill bottle with hydrgen peroxide, shake well.
4. Add to Stains: Spray mixture directly on stains, Allow to sit for a few minutes then add to wash. For tougher stains, scrub with a soft brush.

Powdered Laundry Deteregent

1. Make a Powder Laundry Detergent: Combine grated laundry bar and add 1 cup washing soda and 1 cup borax.
2. Dosage: Add 1 tablespoon to laundry

Liquid Laundry Deteregent

A liquid laundry soap can be made in several concentrated forms. I’ve found this recipe provides the best solution to overcome common mixing challenges.

1. Make a Liquid Laundry Detergent: Melt laundry soap shavings in a pot or water
2. Mix: Add melted soap to a 5 gallon bucket. Add 1 cup washing soda and 1 cup borax. Mix well. Fill bucket with hot water and mix well
3. Setting the Mixture: Allow the mixture to sit for 24 hours.
4. Mix: At this point the mixture will have gelled over. Using a drill and paint stirrer mix well until no gel clumps remain.
5. Dosage: Add 1/4 cup to laundry

Why This Soap is Perfect for HE Machines

• Low Suds: By eliminating coconut oil, we’ve reduced the soap’s ability to produce excessive lather. This makes it ideal for HE machines, which require low-sudsing detergents.
• Strong Cleaning Power: The combination of washing soda and borax gives the soap an extra boost to tackle tough stains and grime. Whether you’re washing everyday laundry or dealing with stubborn spots, this soap is up to the task.
• Cost-Effective: Making your own soap can save you money over time, especially compared to buying commercial detergents.
• Eco-Friendly: By making your own soap, you can cut down on packaging waste and avoid harsh chemicals often found in store-bought laundry detergents.

Final Thoughts

With just a few ingredients and some simple steps, you can create an effective, low-suds laundry soap that’s safe for your HE washing machine. This recipe keeps things natural, free from unnecessary chemicals, and budget-friendly. Give it a try and enjoy fresher, cleaner laundry while being kind to your machine!