Learn how to DIY all natural laundry detergent! This recipe is quick, cheap and only made with a few ingredients yet it will last you a very long time. If you’re concerned about the ingredients that store bought detergent contains, then you’ll want to give this homemade powder a try.
A few years ago I began to see different people making their own laundry detergent. At first, I wondered why they would go through all that trouble. However, I soon began to look into it myself. Not only is homemade laundry powder cheaper, I also firmly believe it’s better for your health. Plus, it really doesn’t take long to make!
Recently, I’ve been seeing that there is some controversy surrounding the use of borax. I’ve been using borax for several years and have experienced no problems. Plus, I recently read this article that reassured me of my belief that borax is indeed safe to use. If you still find yourself hesitant to use it then you could omit the borax from the recipe. I am using the 20 Mule Team Borax.
Another key component in this recipe is washing soda. Washing soda is a very powerful powder that can be used for many household tasks. It is a highly alkaline compound which makes it great for cleaning and deodorizing. It’s also meant to fight tough stains and odors on your clothes without harmful chemicals or synthetic fragrances. I prefer to use Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda.
I also love using Dr. Bonner’s pure castile soap because it’s made with natural, organic oils. You can buy unscented, but I used one a lavender bar and a peppermint bar for my laundry powder. Previously, I’ve also made a liquid laundry detergent with Fels Naptha soup. While that detergent worked well, it was also quite the process to make and took much more time. So, I enjoy sticking to my trusty powder detergent.
Benefits of using homemade laundry detergent
There are multiple benefits to using homemade laundry detergent. First and foremost, it’s free of toxic chemicals. When it comes to making your own detergent, you know exactly what ingredients are going into it. There’s no ingredients that will cause skin reactions or cause health problems. Plus, it’s cheaper to make your own. I know that whenever I try to buy all natural detergent from the store it can tend to be pricy. However, when I make my own it’s about half the cost or more!
Another benefit is that the scents are not as overpowering. By using essential oils you are guaranteeing there’s no synthetic perfumes. This is much better for your overall health, especially if you suffer from allergies.
FAQ
Is DIY laundry detergent worth it?
Yes, DIY laundry detergent is worth it! Not only is it cost-effective and quick to make, but it’s also a step towards a healthier lifestyle.
How do you make homemade laundry detergent?
First, grate 2 bars of Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Soap. Next, to a bowl add the soap shavings, 2 cups of super washing soda and 1 cup of borax. An optional step is to put the mixture into a food processor and pulse until it becomes a fine powder. If you’d like to add a scent, add in 10-12 drops of essential oils. Finally, put the detergent into a half gallon mason jar and store in the laundry for your next load!
Is it cheaper to make your own laundry powder?
Yes! Personally, I spend around 20 dollars to buy ingredients to make my first batch. After that, I only need to buy the pure castile soap occasionally which saves me loads of money because I already have the other ingredients on hand.
How do you make Dr. Bronner’s into laundry detergent?
- Grate 2 bars of Dr. Bronner’s pure castile soap
- Add 2 cups of super washing soda and 1 cup of borax
- For a natural scent use essential oils
- Store in a half gallon mason jar
- Use 2 TBS for a normal load, 3 for a large one
Supplies Needed To Make All Natural Laundry Powder
Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda
Dr. Bronner’s pure castile bar soap
Essential oils (optional)
Tools you may need
Box grater
Large bowl
Cutting board
Food processor (optional)
Half gallon mason jar
Measuring cups
How to make all natural laundry powder detergent
First, gather all of your ingredients and supplies. You’ll need to start by grating the bars of soap using your box grater. After this step you could put the soap shavings into a food processor to make them much smaller, but that is optional. I personally don’t mind the thicker chunks of soap and find it works just as well.
Second, add the soap shavings to a large mixing bowl along with 1 cup of borax and 2 cups of super washing soda. Using a large spoon, mix the ingredients together until they are combined.
At this point, your DIY laundry powder detergent is finished! You do have the option of adding in essential oils for a natural scent. If you choose to do so, add in about 10-12 drops. Or, you can add more depending on how strong you want your detergent to smell.
Funnel the detergent into a half gallon mason jar and seal tightly. Your laundry powder is ready to use! For each load use 2 TBS. For larger loads use 3 and smaller loads use less. You can adjust the amount depending on how large your load is.
DIY Laundry Powder Detergent
This super simple, super easy, 3 ingredient laundry powder will save you time, money and energy plus it's made with organic, all-natural ingredients!
Materials
- 1 cup 20 Mule Team Borax
- 2 cups Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda
- 2 bars Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Soap
- Essential oils (optional)
Tools
- Box grater
- Large bowl
- Large spoon
- Half gallon mason jar
- Food Processor (optional)
Instructions
- First, grate the 2 bars of soap. If you don't like how big the shavings are, add them to the food processor and blend until it reaches a fine texture. This is optional!
- Add the soap shavings to a large bowl. Add in borax and super washing soda. Using a large spoon, mix well until the ingredients are fully combined.
- If you choose to add a natural scent, use the essential oil drops to do so. Add about 10-12 drops or more if you want a stronger scent.
- Funnel the finished laundry powder into a half gallon mason jar and seal tightly. Use 2 TBS for each load, 3 for large loads and less for smaller loads. Enjoy feeling fresh and clean!
Notes
You can double or triple this recipe according to how many loads of laundry you do/how long you want your detergent to last before you need to make a new batch.
Go easy on the essential oils at first. You can always add more but you cannot take away an overly powerful scent! Using naturally-scented soap works just as well and makes sure your detergent isn't overpowering.
Have we converted you to homemade laundry powder detergent yet? We’d love to hear from you in the comments! Let us know how this recipe works for you and any changes you made. For more DIY projects like this be sure to join our email list. If you found this post to be helpful, post it on Pinterest and share it with a friend!
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