Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe

Natural recipes for making your own
homemade detergent - economical and fun!

Homemade detergent cleans just as effectively, and so far I haven't heard of anyone having an allergic reaction to the natural laundry recipes. That said, if you're extremely sensitive, you could make them without the essential oils.

In addition to the aromatherapy detergent recipes, I've added some natural homemade stain removers you can use to keep your clothes clean and your health happy.

Liquid Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 cups hot boiled Water
• 1 natural Soap Bar (see the directions below for tips)

• 1 cup Washing Soda
• 1/4 cup Borax
• 30 drops Lavender essential oil
• 30 drops Lemon essential oil
• 30 drops Grapefruit essential oil

Directions

1. Grate the soap bar using the coarse side of your cheese grater. I buy clear vegetable glycerin or olive oil soap bars from my local bulk food store, and many web sources suggest using Fels Naptha or Ivory soap.


2. Combine the soap flakes and hot water in a large saucepan. Stir over a medium-low heat until the soap is melted.


3. Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of very hot water. Add the melted soap mixture, the washing soda and the borax. Stir until all the powder is dissolved.


4. Fill the bucket up to the top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.


5. Next morning, stir the essential oils into the laundry soap mixture.


6. Transfer your homemade laundry detergent to a bunch of clean used laundry jugs.


7. To use: Shake the bottle before each use to dissolve any lumps of gel that might have formed while it was sitting. Use 1 cup per load for top-load washing machines, and half a cup for front-load washers.

Note: Washing soda is made from Sodium Carbonate and is not the same ingredient as baking soda. You can usually find washing soda in the laundry area of your grocery or department store (I got mine at Walmart) or ask for it at a pool store. It will be in the water softeners section. You can also buy washing soda online at Amazon.com

Powdered Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups Soap Flakes (see directions below for making soap flakes)

• 1 cup Washing Soda
• 1 cup Borax
• 20 drops Grapefruit essential oil
• 20 drops Lavender essential oil

Directions

1. To make soap flakes, grate a bar of unscented natural soap using the fine side of your cheese grater. I buy clear vegetable glycerin or olive oil soap bars from my local bulk food store, and many web sources suggest using Ivory soap.


2. Combine all the ingredients in a large airtight container. Stir to combine (or just put the lid on and shake vigorously.)


3. Use 2 tablespoons homemade laundry detergent per load.

Homemade Stain Removers

• Grass Stains: Dampen the fabric, then rub cream of tartar into the grass stain. Mix equal parts vegetable glycerin and liquid dishwashing soap. Rub the mixture into the stain, then rinse and wash as usual.


• Blood Stains: Sponge with hydrogen peroxide, then rub some liquid dishwashing soap into the blood stain and soak the item in cold water overnight. The next day, wash as usual.


• Chocolate Stains: Sponge with hydrogen peroxide to remove as much of the chocolate stain as possible. Make a paste of borax mixed with a little water. Rub the paste into the stain, then wash as usual.


• Coffee & Tea Stains: Rub the stain with club soda. If that doesn't completely remove it, dissolve 1 teaspoon of borax in 1 cup of hot water, then sponge the stain with the mixture. Rinse with clean water and wash as usual.


• Red Wine Stains: Use a towel to blot up as much of the red wine as possible. Apply a thick layer of salt and leave it there until the salt has absorbed the wine. Rinse. Or try soaking the wine stain in club soda.


• Berry Stains: Stretch the item over a large bowl and sprinkle it with cream of tartar. Pour boiling water on the stain. Repeat until you've removed as much of the stain as possible. Rub in a bit of vegetable glycerin and wash as usual.


• Grease Stains: Gently rub corn starch into the grease stain. Let sit for 15 minutes, then brush off. Rub in a little liquid dishwashing soap, then wash in the hottest water the fabric can handle.


• Ink Stains: Rub a little vegetable glycerin into the ink stain, then apply a paste of cream of tartar and lemon juice. Leave the paste on the stain for about 5 minutes, then rinse off with warm water. Repeat if necessary.


• Collar Stains: Make a paste of liquid dishwashing soap and baking soda, rub it into the collar, then let it sit for an hour. Wash as usual.


• Perspiration Stains: Combine 1 tablespoon each salt and baking soda with enough water to make a paste. Rub it into the perspiration stain and let it sit for an hour before washing.

Buying Natural Green Cleaners and Stain Removers

Their enzymatic products contain no hazardous chemicals, caustics or irritants. They're fragrance-free, chlorine-free and ammonia-free, so they're hypoallergenic and completely safe for indoor use.

They're excellent products at good prices, and the staff are terrific - if you're looking for cleaners that won't kill you, your family or your pets, these are worth a look!

What Next?

Homemade All Purpose Cleaner

Window & Glass Cleaners

Homemade Floor Cleaners

Homemade Carpet Cleaners

Homemade Dishwashing Detergents

Homemade Drain Cleaners


Go to Homemade Cleaners Main Page

Go to Aromatherapy Recipes Homepage from Homemade Laundry Detergent