We don’t mess around with laundry in this house, as I’m sure anyone who has kids, does yardwork, sweats, cooks, eats or…you know…experiences any aspect of everyday life can understand. For that reason, I was honestly hesitant to venture into making my own laundry detergent because I’m not a fan of wasting money on something that doesn’t work.
Therefore, I settled on a formula that consisted of very few components, most of which I already had in my arsenal and had proven themselves as effective and efficient cleaners.
But enough about me, let’s get to why you’re here.
Ingredients
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE: Just because an ingredient is organic or naturally occurring doesn’t necessarily mean it is non-toxic. No laundry detergent, homemade or store bought, should EVER be ingested, inhaled, or used topically. Always keep laundry detergent safely stored and out of reach of children or pets. While I’ve done my own research on all the components below, know that they are all powerful cleaning agents and it is each person’s responsibility to research for themselves and determine their comfort level when using these products in the home.
Borax: (not to be confused with the more abrasive Boric Acid) is a naturally occurring mineral called disodium tetraborate. Considered an extremely powerful cleaning agent, it is generally used in laundry to fight stains, whiten clothes, and reduce odor. It’s important to note that borax can lead to irritation of the skin if used topically and should never be ingested. It should always be diluted in water and rinsed properly from clothes to avoid irritation to the skin.
Washing soda: Also known as sodium carbonate, washing soda is strikingly similar to baking soda but should not be confused for one another. Washing soda is used to soften the water, allowing the cleaning agents to properly lift dirt and other particles from clothes. As a double whammy, it also fights stains due to its low pH (alkaline substance). Like borax, it can cause irritation to the skin and should not be ingested.
Castile bar soap: Castile soap is a plant or vegetable-based soap also containing lye, making it an effective detergent. I like to use a bar of soap which is already scented with natural oils (either lavender, tea tree or rose) to add a hint of fragrance. You have the option to add a few drops of essential oils yourself, but beware adding essential oils to any powdered cleaners. It is amazingly easy to add too much oil and create unwanted clumps.
Pro Tip: Moisture is your enemy when it comes to storing powdered laundry detergent; it will create hard clumps that will not break down easily in your laundry load and will possibly leave white residue on your clothes. Once detergent has become clumpy, it is best to discard it. To avoid wasting your detergent, I strongly recommend storing it in an airtight container. Don’t scoop your detergent with wet hands or allow droplets of any liquid to enter the jar.
The Ratio
The glass jar pictured above has a 2 liter capacity. If you have a different size jar, pay attention to the ratio of the ingredients instead of the specific amounts.
3 cups borax (2 parts)
3 cups washing soda (2 parts)
1.5 cups grated castile soap (1 part)
The Process
- Grate your bar soap with the small grating option on a box grater. You can use the regular grater from your kitchen since the soap will wash right off.
- Measure and carefully add all ingredients to an air-tight jar. It is good practice to either wear gloves or immediately wash your hands well after mixing to avoid any skin irritation.
- Close the jar and shake the hell out of it; you obviously want all the ingredients to thoroughly mix. The grated soap can sometimes stick together so be sure to shake it well.
- That’s it! Store in a dry place near your laundry (away from children or pets)
To Use
Depending on the soil level, add between 3 tbsp- ¼ cup of laundry detergent to each load. The ingredients will work with any water temperature, though borax tends to work better with hot/ warm water. I tend to use cold water to save on energy but will use warm water on heavier or dirtier loads.
Happy cleaning!