Easy and cheap homemade laundry detergent recipe
Charlotte Thomas
Social EditorHomemade laundry detergent is zero waste, eco-friendly, soft on the skin and economical on the wallet. It's simple to make and effective, too. Whether you prefer liquid or powder, choose the recipe that suits you best and follow these natural, step-by-step instructions to make your own laundry detergent.
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Whether it's because your skin is sensitive or because you're eco-conscious, there are a number of reasons to make your own washing powder. And it's surprisingly simple to do, too. All you need are a few natural products and a bit of elbow grease to make the perfect laundry detergent for your clothes.
Powder, liquid, homemade fabric softener ... These simple recipes and handy tips will tell you all you need to know to create your own 100% natural and eco-friendly products!
The ultra-simple recipe for liquid household laundry detergent
Ingredients for 1 litre of detergent
- 50g of Marseille soap shavings. You can buy it here at Amazon.
- 1 litre of water
- 2 tablespoons of baking soda
- 1 to 2 tablespoons of soda crystals. You can buy a pack here at Amazon.
- 10 drops of essential oil (optional). Choose from a huge range here at Amazon.
The method
- In a saucepan, boil 1 litre of water
- Add the soap shavings
- Stir over a low heat until the soap is well dissolved in the water
- Allow to cool and then add the baking soda, crystals and essential oil
- Pour the mixture into a glass bottle
- Shake regularly until completely cooled
Recipe taken from the blog bananapancakes.fr
Note: when you buy your Marseille soap, the list of ingredients must mention 'sodium olivate' or state that it is a soap made from olive oil. It must not contain added glycerin.
Your zero-waste library for further reading:
101 Ways to Go Zero Waste by Katheryn Kellogg. See more details here at Amazon
Zero Waste Home: The Ultimate Guide to Simplifying Your Life by Bea Johnston. See more details here at Amazon.
Six Weeks to Zero Waste: A simple plan for life by Kate Arnell. See more details here at Amazon.
Recipe for homemade washing powder
Ingredients for about 12 washes
- 100g of Marseille soap shavings
- 50g of soda crystals
- 30g to 40g of baking soda
The method
- Mix all the ingredients together in a strong blender
- Pour into an airtight jar
For moderately soiled laundry, place two tablespoons of homemade detergent directly in the drum of your washing machine.
How to choose the right Marseille soap?
Marseille soap is a type of French vegetable soap. Real Marseille soap is composed of 72% vegetable oils and bears the 72% stamp. Any soap you use for making detergent should not contain added glycerine, which could make your laundry stiff and damage washing machines and pipes.
Marseille soap naturally contains some glycerine, but it is removed during the manufacturing process, which normally leaves only traces. However, some soap manufacturers add glycerine for its moisturising properties so it's really important to check the ingredients list.
Marseille soap contains no preservatives, dyes or fragrances. As a result, it gives off a particular smell, which can be quite strong and unusual if you're used to products from the cosmetics industry.
There are four soap factories recognised by the Professional Union of Marseille Soaps. The brands include Fer à Cheval, Marius Fabre, Le Sérail and La Savonnerie du Midi.
You can use the soap in flakes or whole to grate.
Green soap is recommended for liquid laundry detergent, as it takes on a more liquid texture than white soap. The latter, which contains palm oil, takes on a gel texture. If you want to avoid palm oil, choose green Marseille soap.
You can browse a range of Marseille soap here at Amazon.
How to make homemade fabric softener
The ingredients
- 1/2 water
- 1/2 white vinegar
- 2 drops of lavender essential oil (for one wash) You can buy it here at Amazon.
White vinegar really softens your linens but be careful, it's best to avoid using it on clothes with elastic such as underwear or clothes containing elastane, as they could be damaged.
What about washing my workout clothes?
Homemade laundry detergents don't contain chemicals or synthetic fragrances. Essential oils add a delicate fragrance but the scent is very light compared to conventional detergents.
There are a few tricks to get a stronger anti-odour effect, though. These can come in handy when you're washing sports clothes, for example:
- Add one tablespoon of bicarbonate during the rinsing cycle
- Increase the amount of detergent being used
- Clean your clothes before washing with Marseille soap
Have you got any green cleaning hacks or favourite eco-friendly cleaning products? Share your tips in the forum below.
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