Out of Soap? Here's How to Wash Clothes Without Detergent, According to Experts

So, you're adding a mound of dirty laundry to your washing machine when you realize—you’re completely out of detergent. Rats! Rather than running to the store at breakneck speed, consider ways for your washing clothes without detergent. Yes, it can be done, and the process is easier than you may think.

"Borax, washing soda, baking soda, and vinegar make good detergent substitutes, especially for light loads," says laundry expert Scott Fore. "Baking soda and vinegar are [also] go-tos because they’re affordable and gentle on fabrics when measured out right."

No soap? No sweat. Below, see how to wash clothes without detergent.

Before Getting Started

While detergent alternatives can be appropriate for many garments, many aren't suitable for delicate fabric. "Never use baking soda, vinegar, borax, or washing soda on wool, silk, or anything dry-clean only," says Fore explains. "Such fabrics are too sensitive to a change in pH, and even a small amount of the wrong product can lead to fading, changes in texture, or even permanently damage the fabric."

In these cases, you’re better off waiting until you can get to the store to pick up proper detergent or sending the items to the dry cleaner.

Borax

Best for: Cotton, kids clothing, cleaning cloths

"Borax (sodium borate) is like a reliable friend who shows up to help when you need an extra hand," Duarte explains. "It breaks downs tough stains like blood, sweat, berries, or even mold and mildew with its natural alkaline power."

How to Use Borax in a Washing Machine

1. Measure out ½ cup of borax. Pour into a small container, mixing it with warm water to dissolve it.
   
2. Once the borax mixture has dissolved, pour it into the washing machine drum. Add your dirty laundry.
   
3. Run your wash cycle with an extra rinse cycle. Fore says borax can cake up and leave residue behind if it isn’t fully dissolved and rinsed out. 

How to Use Borax to Hand-Wash Clothing

1. Fill your sink or a large bucket with warm water.
   
2. Measure out 1-2 tablespoons (depending on the clothing’s soil level and the size of your sink) and add it to the warm water.
   
3. Once the borax has dissolved fully into the water, add your dirty clothing.
   
4. Hand-wash as usual.
   
5. Rinse thoroughly. 

How to Use Borax to Treat Stains

1. Mix two tablespoons of borax with a small amount of water to form a paste.
   
2. Apply the borax paste to the stain. Let the mixture sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
   
3. Wash and rinse the item thoroughly. 

Washing Soda

Best for: Heavy-duty fabrics, work clothes, greasy/oily items 

Washing soda is another great detergent alternative, but don’t use it on delicate or hand-wash-only fabrics, Fore warns. It’s potent and abrasive, which makes it a great choice for tough stains, but not for fragile materials.

Avoid using it on wool or silk; This detergent alternative is best used on cotton, towels, or grubby work clothes. 

How to Use Washing Soda in a Washing Machine

1. Measure out ½ cup of washing soda. Add to a container with warm water and dissolve.
   
2. Pour the dissolved solution into the laundry drum. Add your dirty clothing and linens.
   
3. Wash as usual (our experts recommend washing in hot or warm water if the fabric's care label permits).
   
4. Make sure the items are fully rinsed before drying. 

How to Use Washing Soda to Treat Stains

1. Mix two tablespoons of washing soda with equal parts water to form a paste.
   
2. Add the paste mixture to the stain. Let sit for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the severity of the stain.
   
3. Wash the item per the fabric's care label.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

Best for: Stinky items, baby clothes, bedding

Additional household staples that can be used as a detergent in a pinch are baking soda and vinegar. "Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is your go-to for banishing odors and lifting light dirt," ​says Duarte. "It’s a mild abrasive that tackles stains without harsh chemicals, making it a staple for everyday loads."

How to Use Baking Soda and Vinegar in a Washing Machine

1. Add your dirty laundry to the washing machine.
   
2. Measure out ½ cup of baking soda and add it directly into the drum.
   
3. Add ½ cup of white vinegar to the detergent dispenser. (This is important so the vinegar and baking soda don’t mix too early in the washing process, our experts note.)
   
4. Run a normal wash cycle using warm water.
   

How to Use Baking Soda to Hand-Wash Clothing

1. Fill a sink or basin with warm water. Add ¼ cup of baking soda and stir well.
   
2. Hand-wash as usual.
   
3. Rinse the items at least twice to remove all residue.
   

How to Use Baking Soda to Treat Stains

1. Mix two tablespoons of baking soda with water to form a paste.
2. Rub the paste on the stain. Allow the mixture to sit on the stain for 15 to 30 minutes.
   
3. Wash the item as usual.