Making homemade laundry detergent is relatively easy and can be a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to store-bought options. Here's a simple recipe for making liquid laundry detergent:
Ingredients:
- Bar Soap: You'll need a bar of soap to act as the cleaning agent. Castile soap, Fels-Naptha, or any other soap suitable for laundry use can be used. Avoid using soap with added moisturizers or fragrances.
- Washing Soda: Also known as soda ash or sodium carbonate, washing soda helps to boost the cleaning power of the detergent.
- Borax: Borax, also known as sodium borate, is a natural mineral and acts as a laundry booster and a deodorizer.
Optional Ingredients:
- Essential Oils: If you want to add a pleasant scent to your detergent, you can use essential oils like lavender, tea tree, or eucalyptus.
Instructions:
Grate the Soap: Start by grating the bar soap using a cheese grater. You can also cut it into small pieces and use a food processor to break it down into a fine powder.
Boil Water: In a large saucepan, bring about 4 cups of water to a boil.
Add Soap: Add the grated soap or soap pieces to the boiling water and stir until the soap dissolves completely.
Mix in Washing Soda and Borax: Once the soap has dissolved, add 1/2 cup of washing soda and 1/2 cup of borax to the saucepan. Stir until everything is well combined.
Optional: Add Essential Oils: If you want to add a pleasant fragrance to your detergent, you can add a few drops of essential oils at this stage. Stir well.
Transfer to a Container: Remove the saucepan from heat and let the mixture cool for a few minutes. Then, transfer the liquid detergent to a large container or a few smaller containers with airtight lids.
Usage:
Use approximately 1/4 to 1/2 cup of your homemade laundry detergent per load of laundry, depending on the size of the load and the level of dirtiness. This detergent is suitable for both standard and high-efficiency (HE) washing machines.
Important Notes:
- Shake the detergent container before each use, as it may separate over time.
- This detergent may not produce a lot of suds like commercial detergents, but it still effectively cleans your clothes.
- As with any detergent, avoid using it on delicate or sensitive fabrics unless you know it's safe for them.
- Test the detergent on a small area of your clothes first to ensure it doesn't cause any damage or fading.
Remember to follow the care instructions on your clothing labels and adjust the detergent quantity as needed. Additionally, always store the detergent out of reach of children and pets.