Making our own laundry detergent is an eco-conscious, cost-efficient choice. Although it’s possible to find natural brands in stores, many conventional detergents contain chemicals such as sulfates and fragrances. Thankfully, creating our own liquid or powdered laundry soap is simple. We encourage you to have fun playing with various essential oils that infuse clothes with fresh scents and provide aromatherapy benefits. Below, we discover three recipes for homemade laundry detergent.

By Libby Baker -

There are a variety of safe, natural laundry detergents on the market these days, but why not save money and cut down on consumption by making your own easy laundry detergents at home? Here are three easy, and easily modifiable mixes that give commercial brands a run for their money! These mixes will save you money and from unnecessary chemicals! Consider mixing up your own DIY laundry detergent the next time you wash your clothes and linens. You may just find yourself never having to buy that big expensive bottle of commercial detergent again.

1. DIY All-Natural Powdered Detergent

This great DIY All-Natural Laundry Detergent uses only five ingredients and makes clean, fresh smelling laundry!  For this mix, you need some washing soda, Borax, soap (castile soap works well), a spot remover, and baking soda. It does contain Borax, so if you are sensitive to it, try one of the Super Basic recipes below.

2. Super Basic Powdered Detergent

This is bare bones powdered detergent at it’s best! Clean, fresh smelling clothes and simple ingredients. This recipe cleans 15 to 20 loads, but can easily be increased. You’ll need 1 bars of castile soap, grated and 3 cups washing soda (if you can’t find it, don’t fret —  you can make your own washing soda out of plain old baking soda!). Combine ingredients in a food processor until grainy. Store in an airtight container and add 2 to 3 tablespoons of detergent per wash load.

3. Super Basic Liquid Detergent

If you’re not a fan of powdered detergent, you don’t have to be left out of the DIY laundry loop! Here’s how to swap powdered for liquid: 3/4 cup liquid castile soap plus 1 cup washing soda Pour the washing soda into a bucket and cover with hot water. Stir until the soda is dissolved and then slowly add in the liquid castile soap. Using a funnel, pour the liquid detergent into recycled bottles or mason jars. This recipe also cleans between 15 to 20 loads, using 2 to 3 tablespoons per wash. Gently slosh the mixture around before using to combine if it has separated.

Both the “Super Basic” recipes can be easily modified to suit your laundry needs: add a few drops of essential oil with each load for fragrance (lemon is nice smelling and can also work to remove stains and grease).

Some other tips for your new DIY laundry regime include pouring a 1/2 cup of vinegar into the fabric softener dispenser to further disinfect and soften clothes. For whites, try adding 1/2 cup of peroxide to the bleach dispenser to brighten whites and remove protein stains.

No matter what you mix up, remember to also avoid the chemicals in the dryer, with dryer balls or by hanging those fresh, clean clothes to dry in the fresh, clean outdoor air! When you mix up your own alternatives to store-bought detergents, you will get your clothing and linens just as clean at a fraction of the price (and chemicals), thus making your laundry routine a whole lot better for you, your health, your wallet and the earth! How can you not win here?

Originally posted on OneGreenPlanet.org

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