Making homemade laundry detergent offers several advantages that make it worth considering. First, you have complete control over the ingredients, ensuring that only safe and eco-friendly components are used. This is particularly beneficial for individuals with sensitive skin or allergies, as commercial detergents often contain harsh chemicals and fragrances that can irritate the skin and respiratory system.
Ingredients:
- 1 bar of natural soap (such as Castile soap), grated
- 1 cup of washing soda
- 1 cup of borax
- Optional: 10-20 drops of essential oil (such as lavender or lemon) for fragrance
Instructions:
1. Grate the natural soap bar using a cheese grater or food processor until you have fine soap flakes.
2. combine the grated soap, washing soda, and borax in a large mixing bowl.
3. add 10-20 drops of your preferred essential oil to the mixture for a pleasant fragrance.
4. Mix all ingredients thoroughly until well combined.
5. Transfer the DIY laundry detergent into an airtight container for storage.
To Use:
- Use 1-2 tablespoons of homemade laundry detergent per load of laundry, depending on the load's size and the soil level.
- Add the detergent directly to the drum of the washing machine before adding clothes.
- This homemade laundry detergent suits standard and high-efficiency (HE) washing machines.
Note:
Gloves are essential when washing soda and borax, as they can cause skin irritation. Additionally, this DIY laundry detergent may produce fewer suds than commercial detergents, but it is still effective at cleaning clothes. Always spot-test on a small, inconspicuous area before using it on delicate fabrics or colored items.
