How can I Make Homemade Laundry Detergent?

There are plenty of cleaning products that can be found in any supermarket, including laundry detergent. Many markets also distribute green laundry detergent, meaning that the product is made of ingredients considered safer for humans and the environment. Still, whether due to environmental concerns or financial frugality, some consumers prefer to make and use homemade laundry detergent. However, while making homemade laundry detergent was a necessity generations ago, it’s not a common practice today. This leaves many consumers wondering: How can I make my own laundry detergent?

Another question that begs answering is, why anyone would want to make homemade laundry detergent when they can just buy it off the market shelf? For some people, the reason may be due to allergic reactions to conventional laundry products, so they seek a more natural alternative. For others, there may be health considerations since many laundry products may contain questionable ingredients. For example, alkylbenzene sulfonate is commonly added to laundry detergent even though it is a known liver carcinogen and is readily absorbed through the skin. Another common ingredient, fluosilicate, is a highly toxic pesticide.

A final concern for anyone looking into the feasibility of making and using homemade laundry detergent is its effectiveness. In other words, will it clean laundry just as well as a conventional brand? Yes, it will. However, it may be necessary to be a bit more diligent about addressing spots and stains right away instead of letting the soiled laundry article sit around for days before washing.

For many of us, the idea of making homemade laundry detergent conjures up images of stirring a huge vat of lye and ash outdoors to make gallons of laundry soap at one time. However, making homemade laundry detergent doesn’t need to be so complicated and time consuming. In fact, it’s much easier to make, use, and store homemade laundry detergent in smaller batches.

Homemade laundry detergent can be made from a handful of ingredients and does not require the use of harsh chemicals. In fact, many consumers are surprised to learn that most conventional liquid laundry detergents contain up to 70 percent water. A simple alternative to conventional liquid laundry detergent starts with the use of liquid castile soap, which is derived from vegetable oils.

The following is a sample recipe for liquid homemade laundry detergent that can be made on an as-needed basis: 1 ounce (30ml) liquid castile soap; 1 cup (240ml) washing soda (available in supermarkets in the laundry aisle); 1 cup (240ml) baking soda; 1 cup (240ml) white vinegar. Instructions: Fill washer with water and add each ingredient in the order given. Launder as usual.