Laundry

Homemade detergents, soap flakes & dryer sachets

Verify Before You Sell
Generalconsumer product, not a food
FIFRAapplies if you claim germ-killing
$0ISDH license required
RRCsales tax registration needed

What's Covered  /  What Needs a Different Path

✓ Covered here

  • Plain laundry soap/detergent and dryer sachets with no antimicrobial or disinfecting claim
  • Scented dryer balls and fabric fresheners sold as general household goods
  • Products registered for Indiana sales tax collection

✗ Needs a different path

  • Any laundry product claiming to kill germs, viruses, or bacteria (becomes an EPA-regulated pesticide/antimicrobial under FIFRA)
  • Products making skin-safety or hypoallergenic medical claims without substantiation
  • Selling without a Registered Retail Merchant Certificate for sales tax

Three Steps to Compliance

A

Keep claims general

Market your detergent as cleaning and freshening only; avoid “kills 99.9% of germs” or similar language that triggers EPA pesticide registration.

B

Register for sales tax

Get an Indiana Registered Retail Merchant Certificate and collect sales tax – laundry products are taxable tangible goods.

C

Check local zoning

Home production of detergent is generally a home occupation; confirm any limits on chemical storage with your local planning office.

Quick Reference

ItemRuleRegulator
Plain detergent, no antimicrobial claimNo state licenseN/A
Antimicrobial/disinfectant claimsEPA pesticide registration requiredEPA (federal, FIFRA)
Sales taxRegistered Retail Merchant CertificateIN Dept. of Revenue
Home occupationZoning sign-offCounty/city planning office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I say my detergent “kills germs”?

Only if the product is registered as an antimicrobial pesticide with the EPA – unregistered germ-killing claims are a compliance risk, not a labeling nicety.

Do I need an ISDH permit for laundry soap?

No – it's not a food, so ISDH has no jurisdiction; general consumer-product rules apply instead.

Is scent enough to trigger cosmetic rules?

No – laundry products aren't applied to the body as cosmetics are, so MoCRA doesn't apply here.

Do I collect sales tax on detergent?

Yes, under your Indiana Registered Retail Merchant Certificate.

Printable Checklist

Avoid unregistered antimicrobial/disinfecting claims
Register for an Indiana Registered Retail Merchant Certificate
Confirm home-occupation zoning allowance
Label ingredients and safe-use instructions
Keep chemical storage within local fire-code limits
Collect and remit Indiana sales tax