Homemade Natural Laundry Detergent
Store-bought laundry detergents are often loaded with toxic chemicals like sodium lauryl sulfate, phosphates, artificial dyes, colors, formaldehyde, and petroleum. These ingredients can disrupt hormones, cause respiratory issues, and contribute to cancer.
While you can buy natural laundry detergents, they can be expensive. Here’s an easy and cost-effective recipe to make your own natural laundry detergent at home:
Ingredients:
- 🧼 3 cups of super washing soda
- 🧂 3 cups of baking soda
- 🌳 3 cups of borax
- 🧼 2 bars of pure castile soap, grated
- 🍊 15 drops of wild orange essential oil (optional)
- 🍋 15 drops of lemon essential oil (optional)
Instructions:
- 🧂 Mix the super washing soda, baking soda, and borax in a container.
- 🧼 Grate the castile soap bars using a cheese grater.
- 🥣 Put the grated soap into a food processor or blender and blend until it becomes a fine powder.
- 🌿 Add the essential oils (if using) to the blended soap and blend again.
- 🔄 Mix the blended soap mixture with the dry ingredients and stir well.
- 🏺 Store the homemade laundry detergent in an airtight container near your washing machine.
Usage:
Use 1-2 tablespoons of the homemade laundry detergent per load of laundry. This recipe yields approximately 10 cups of detergent, which can last for 82-164 loads, saving you a significant amount of money compared to store-bought options.
Additional Tips 💡
- For extra cleaning power, add 1/2 cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. 🧴
- To soften clothes naturally, use wool dryer balls instead of fabric softener sheets. 🧦
- For stubborn stains, pre-treat with a mixture of equal parts baking soda and water before washing. 🧽
By making your own natural laundry detergent, you can avoid exposure to harmful chemicals and protect both your health and the environment. Additionally, this recipe is budget-friendly and easy to customize with your favorite essential oils for a fresh, natural scent.
