DIY Laundry Soap: My Flight Attendant-Approved Hack for Luxuriously Clean, Fresh, Budget-Friendly Laundry

 DIY Laundry Soap: Use less product and spend less that $100 for the year

Hey you! It’s The Flight Attendant Nextdoor, your travel-centric sista in the sky, here to share one of my favorite wellness and home hacks that has saved me serious coins—and stress. Let’s talk about something I never thought I’d get excited about sharing: DIY laundry soap.

I know, I know... laundry isn’t exactly glamorous. But hear me out—when you’re a flight attendant, and lover of all things clean and simple, finding a natural, affordable way to keep clothes fresh is everything. Between sweaty uniforms, spilled lunch, and the occasional mystery hotel-room moldy carpet funk, I needed something that actually worked—without harsh chemicals or overpriced ingredients. What Im sharing will save you money, time and less landfill waste.

And that’s how my love affair with DIY laundry soap began.

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Why I Switched to DIY Laundry Soap

There were three big reasons why I made the switch, and maybe you can relate:

• Sensitive Skin in the Family: Some store-bought detergents were way too harsh for my kiddos in the early days and even irritated my skin after long days in polyester uniforms.

• Cost-Effective: Making your own detergent saves serious money over time—especially when you're doing as much laundry as I do.Im big on washing my sheets and comforter very often.

• Cleaner Ingredients: I like knowing exactly what’s going on my body (and my families’ clothes). No dyes, no artificial fragrances (in 1st recipe)—just clean clothes and peace of mind.

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What You Need to Make a Gentle DIY Laundry Soap

The best part? You only need a few simple ingredients—most of which you can find in the same aisle as baking soda.

DIY Powder Laundry Soap Recipe:

• 1 bar of castile soap (like Dr. Bronner’s or Kirk’s)

• 1 cup washing soda

• 1 cup baking soda

• 1/2 cup borax (optional, but great for deep cleaning)

• A few drops of essential oil (lavender, lemon, or tea tree are my faves)

Tools:

• Cheese grater or food processor

• Large mixing bowl

• Storage container (I use a mason jar or old detergent tub)

To make it:

1. Grate the bar of soap finely using a cheese grater or processor.

2. Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl.

3. Add 10–20 drops of essential oil if desired.

4. Store in an airtight container.

Use 2–3 tablespoons per load. That’s it!

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Why This Works for My Flight Attendant Life

I

f you’re in the air as much as I am—or just busy living life—you need laundry solutions that are simple, effective, and travel-friendly. Here’s why I keep a small stash of my DIY laundry soap in my suitcase and crash pad:

• Perfect for Hotel or Airbnb Wash Days: I pack a little travel-sized container of powder soap for layovers with laundry access. No more wasting quarters on overpriced detergent from the vending machine!

• Gentle Enough for Uniforms: My DIY soap keeps my work clothes looking fresh without fading or fabric damage.

• Safe for Kids’ Clothing: No more worrying about itchy seams or rashes from unknown ingredients.

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Bonus Tips for Fresh, Clean Laundry

Want to level up your laundry game even more? Here are a few extra tricks I swear by:

• Add 1/2 cup baking soda to the wash for extra deodorizing power.

• Use white vinegar as a fabric softener substitute—just pour 1/4 cup into the rinse cycle.

• Dry clothes outside in the sun when you can—it's nature’s original bleach and deodorizer!

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My Current Go-To Hardworking Blend: My Daughter’s DIY Laundry Soap Recipe

Let me let you in on a little secret—I’ve been using my daughter’s recipe for the past year, and it’s the real MVP in my household. This blend is tough on dirt, smells amazing, and stretches a long way (a win-win for a me with laundry piles of towels, sheets and uniforms that need constant attention). It’s what she uses for her small family. 1 heaping tbsp to Use 1/4 cup per load!

Here’s what we mix together for this power-packed ingredient boosted DIY laundry soap:

Ingredients:

• 1 bag of Foca detergent

• 1 bag of Ariel detergent

• 1 box washing soda

• 1 box borax

• 1 bag of Roma powder detergent

• 1 full 15lb bag of baking soda

Optional, but highly recommended:

• Add white vinegar to the rinse cycle – this helps break down residue, softens fabrics, and gives clothes an extra fresh finish (especially helpful for uniforms and gym clothes!).

Why I love this blend (wash a years worth of clothing for under $100):

• It cleans deep—even when my boys come home with laundry chaos.

• It smells so good.

• It’s affordable and easy to make in big batches, which means less time restocking and more time living and travelling.

• The cost of latest batch drastically reduced from $60 to $35 by selecting a different store in another county to source ingredients

Final Thoughts from 30,000 Feet

Making my own laundry soap might sound small, but it’s been a powerful shift in my journey toward living at ease, simpler, and more intentionally—whether I’m soaring through the sky (wiping galleys) or scrubbing stains on the ground.

This hack isn’t just about laundry—it’s about taking control of what touches your body, saving money for the things that matter (hello, impromptu vacation fund), and creating systems that support your busy life.

Give it a try. Let your laundry work for you—not the other way around.

With love and lavender-scented clothes—
Marlisa aka The Flight Attendant Nextdoor

P.S. Want more wellness tips, cleaning hacks, and real-life stories from the sky? Make sure you’re subscribed to the blog and following along on Instagram @theflightattendantnextdoor.