Homemade Laundry Detergent

Alright team, here it is. A list of DIY laundry detergent recipes. Some I've tried, some I have not. I'll let ya know as you read along....

Let's start with some super hippie crunchy granola all-natural limited ingredient s(t)uds-

1. POWDER: Washing Soda, Borax & Bar Soap

   • Grate the bar of soap. It's rewarding but keep in mind, it can grate you back so be careful. I suggest using a coconut oil soap (check this mama out for diy soap recipes)  or Dr. Bronner's Pure Castille Bar Soap

   • In a large bowl, mix 2 parts washing soda, 2 parts borax (or leave the borax out... it's really up to you), and 1 part grated bar soap.

   • Store in a closed container. Tupperware, mason jars, heck if you're feeling extra crunchy just use whatever container you had been buying detergent in!

   • Use 2 tablespoons per load of laundry

   • Extra tip: run vinegar through your rinse cycle to remove foul odors (both in clothes and in your machine)

2. LIQUID: Washing Soda, Borax & Bar Soap

   • Grate that bar of soap... or put it in a food processor.

   • Put grated soap in a pan with 2 quarts water and gradually heat, stirring constantly until soap is completely dissolved

   • Put 4.5 gallons of really hot (it's a scientific term) tap water in a 5 gallon bucket (cause, math) and stir in 2 cups of borax (or not cause ya know, toxins?) and 2 cups of washing soda until completely dissolved

   • Pour the soap mixture from the pan into the 5 gallon buck and stir the best you've ever stirred.

   • Cover that sh*t and leave it over night

   • Shaken or stirred (your choice) until smooth and pour into gallon jugs or other containers. Boom. Liquid detergent.

   • Use 1/2 cup per load

Mix & Match

1. Washing Soda

   • It's not the same as baking soda! Arm & Hammer doesn't even use baking soda in their own laundry detergent so why should we? Here's how you can make washing soda from baking soda

2. Oxi-Clean

   • Oxi-Clean can be added to many homemade recipes. Test it out to see if it's worth adding to yours!

3. Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds

   • This stuff is amazing. It's made with plant-based surfactants and natural fir needle and spruce essential oils. You can get the benefits of surfactants in store bought detergents and enjoy your natural lifestyle!

4. Vinegar

   • add a cup of white vinegar for a natural odor removal

   • Laundry detergent has a very alkaline pH, which can irritate skin. Using a vinegar rinse resets the pH to a skin-friendly level

   • It helps dissolve excess detergent and salts off clothes

Who are you kidding? Just buy it

1. Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds

2. Zum Clean Aromatherapy Laundry Soap

3. Method Laundry Detergent

4. Eco Me Laundry Detergent

5. Seventh Generation

6. Ecover Laundry Liquid Concentrate Check their website out cause their packaging is pretty cool. Made from sugarcane, this plastic is renewable, reusable and recyclable!!!

You can do it! Get creative and be mindful. You'll cherish the rewards of doing your own research and trials!

Over&Out

Share your recipes, diy adventures and insights in the comments!