How to Make Your Own Non-Toxic Laundry Detergent
Making your own non-toxic laundry detergent is so simple! It only takes 5 minutes and a few simple, clean ingredients to have safe laundry detergent that will give you peace of mind using. So ditch the store-bought detergent and follow along while I show you how easy and budget-friendly this DIY detergent is to make!
Why Non-Toxic Laundry Detergent?
Most store-bought detergents are full of ingredients that can cause several health effects and also environmental issues. Honestly, the long list of ingredients and fragrances is unnecessary when you can have a batch of homemade, non-toxic laundry detergent in less than 5 minutes!
I have a family of 7, so I am constantly doing laundry. I love having peace of mind that I’m not using harsh chemicals to do all the laundry. If you think about it, we are clothing our entire family with these chemicals. I do not want all those harsh chemicals on my family. So taking the little amount of time to make this laundry detergent is so worth it!
This non-toxic laundry detergent is also very frugal. I calculated that with buying the baking and washing soda in bulk and using one bar of Castile soap per batch, it is around $7 to make this laundry detergent. Depending on how much laundry you wash, this will last you 1-2 months! That is very frugal laundry washing!
Want more natural cleaning inspo? Check out this post about Natural Cleaning Supplies
Simple DIY Non-Toxic Laundry Detergent Recipe
Ingredients and Supplies You’ll Need:
- Washing soda
- Baking soda
- Castile soap or another natural soap. Grated.
- Large jar with lid for storage
- Funnel
- Grater
- Tray
- Optional – Essential oils: Your choice. Great options are lavender, lemon, or tea tree for fragrance and antibacterial properties.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1. Grate your soap: Try and grate it smaller to help the soap dissolve easier during the wash. I like to grate mine on a tray to make it easier to keep all together. Add all of it to your jar.
- The best tip for this is to slightly warm the bar of soap before grating. This will make it so much easier! If you have a microwave, warm for 30 seconds. If you don’t have a microwave, warm on the stove in a small pot on medium heat with lid on for 30 seconds to 1 minute. You don’t want it so hot that it melts. Just slightly warm that you can pick up and grate it.
Step 2. Add Dry Ingredients: Next you will measure out and add your baking soda and washing soda to the jar.
Step 3. Shake Ingredients: Place lid on the jar and shake until your ingredients are combined in the large jar.
Step 4. Optional – Add Essential Oils: Add 20-40 drops of your preferred essential oil. This is optional for enhanced fragrance and antibacterial properties. Once added to laundry detergent, shake well and place lid on your jar.
Step 5. Storage: I like to keep my laundry detergent by my washing machine. Try and keep the lid on so it doesn’t dry out and get all caked together.
Step 6. Using Laundry Detergent: Use 1-2 tablespoons per load depending on how dirty or large the load is. I just sprinkle not he clothes before washing, but you an also sprinkle in the bottom of the washing machine and place clothes on top. Your preference!
Extra Laundry Tips
- Pre-soak deep stains before washing.
- Add white vinegar to loads that need extra whitening. It is also a natural and frugal cleaner!
- I love to line dry my laundry when the weather permits. This helps with stains and laundry feeling extra fresh!
I hope this resource blesses you and your family this year!
Non-Toxic Laundry Detergent
Equipment
- Large jar with lid
- Funnel
- Grater
- tray
Materials
- 1 cup baking soda
- 2 cups washing oda
- 1 bar castile soap unscented
- 20-40 drops essential oils optional
Instructions
- Grate your soap: Try and grate it smaller to help the soap dissolve easier during the wash. I like to grate mine one a try to make it easier to keep it all together. Add all of it to your jar.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Next you will measure out and add your baking soda and washing soda to the jar.
- Shake Ingredients: Place lid on the jar and shake until your ingredients are combined in the large jar.
- Optional – Add Essential Oils: Add 20-40 drops of your preferred essential oil. This is optional for enhanced fragrance and antibacterial properties. Once added to laundry detergent, shake well and place lid on your jar.
Storage
- I like to keep my laundry detergent by my washing machine. Try and keep the lid on so it doesn't dry out and get all caked together.
Usage
- Use 1-2 tablespoons per load depending on how dirty or large the load is. I just sprinkle not he clothes before washing, but you an also sprinkle in the bottom of the washing machine and place clothes on top. Your preference!
Notes
This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please read our disclosure policy.
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