When the economy struggles like it is right now many people look to find ways to cut costs and save money. The first place many people look is at their laundry detergent. While you can get laundry soap on sale for relatively cheap you can make it yourself for even cheaper.
While making your own laundry soap will have a limited effect on fighting inflation it can help give you a sense of control over the situation. That in itself is valuable. Today I am going to share the simple homemade laundry soap recipe I use at home to help reduce or costs and have more control over the ingredients that my family are exposed to.
Note that this is not our go-to detergent in general. I like to buy it detergent on sale for cheap when I can find brands I do not react to on sale because I like to make my life a bit easier and paying for stuff to reduce your stress levels is sometimes just plan worth it.
The benefits of making your own laundry detergent
Cost-effective: Homemade laundry detergent is typically less expensive than store-bought options.
Eco-friendly: Homemade laundry detergent is often made from natural ingredients, which is better for the environment than commercial detergents that may contain harsh chemicals.
Customizable: When you make your own laundry detergent, you can customize it with your preferred scents and ingredients. You can even use different oils to make it more effective against specific stains.
Long-lasting: Homemade laundry detergent is often made in large batches, so it lasts longer and reduces the need for frequent trips to the store.
Avoiding harmful chemicals: Many commercial laundry detergents contain synthetic fragrances, dyes, and other chemicals that can be harmful to your skin and the environment. By making your own laundry detergent, you can avoid these chemicals and use natural ingredients that are better for your health and the environment.
Control of ingredients: By making your own detergent you have control of the ingredients you put in it and can choose what is best for you and your family.
What you need for homemade laundry soap
- 1 cup of grated bar soap (such as zote or Fels Naptha )
- 1 cup of washing soda
- 1 cup of borax
- 1 cup oxygen laundry booster
How to make homemade laundry detergent
In a large mixing bowl, combine the grated bar soap, washing soda, and borax. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
Transfer the mixture to an airtight container for storage.
To use, add 2 tablespoons of the detergent to your washing machine’s detergent dispenser or directly to the drum of your machine before adding your clothes.
Run your laundry as usual.
Add fragrance to your laundry detergent
There are a couple of ways you can add fragrance to your homemade laundry detergent.
The easiest option with the longest-lasting fragrance is to add in laundry scent-boosting crystals. these can be mixed directly with your detergent or you can opt to add them directly to the wash so you can change out the scents more often easily.
If desired, add a few drops of essential oils for fragrance. Lavender and lemon essential oils are particularly popular choices for laundry detergent. Mix well.
How to make liquid laundry soap
This recipe is for a powdered detergent, if you want to make liquid detergent, dissolve the grated soap in 1 quart of water before adding washing soda, oxy booster, and borax.
Can I use baking soda in homemade laundry soap?
while you can choose to use baking soda in your laundry as an addition to help deodorize your laundry it in general would not get the same results as washing soda if used in place of washing soda in your laundry detergent.
Baking soda and washing soda are both compounds that can be used for cleaning, but they have different chemical properties and uses. Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a mild alkali that can be used as a gentle cleaning agent and deodorizer.
Washing soda, also known as sodium carbonate or soda ash, is a stronger alkali that can be used as a heavy-duty cleaner for tasks such as removing stains and brightening laundry.
This homemade laundry detergent is a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to store-bought detergents. It contains only natural ingredients and can be easily customized with your favorite essential oils. This recipe will make a big batch, so it’s perfect for big families or if you want to store it for a long time.
Leave a Reply