Make your own detergent: Ingredients, tips for production, use and storage can be found here!

Doing laundry is a never-ending task. Whether you use a washing machine at home, go to the laundromat, or wash clothes by hand, one product is essential: laundry detergent. In every grocery store or hypermarket, the shelves are full of colorful bottles and boxes. Many of these detergents are good for removing stains and ridding the body of dirt, but you can save some money by making your own detergents by mixing just a few basic products.

What ingredients to use for DIY laundry detergent

The ingredients you use – borax, washing soda, soap flakes – are often found in commercial laundry detergents. If you make washing powder yourself, one of the advantages of such a detergent is that you can limit the amount ofadded fragrancesyou can determine for yourself and that it does not contain any dyes that can often irritate sensitive skin. If you make your own detergent, its low-sudsing formula means it can be used in both regular and high-efficiency washing machines.

You can find borax, washing soda, soap flakes, or laundry soap bars at most grocery stores. To increase the cleaning power of your homemade laundry detergent, you can add a cup of baking soda to the recipe. To make a homemade scented laundry detergent, choose a bar soap with essential oils.

Can homemade detergents remove stains

The production of homemade detergent depends on how often you do laundry. One batch makes about five cups of detergent, or 80 loads in a heavy-duty washer, or 27 loads in a standard washer. Commercial detergents contain anti-caking agents to prevent the ingredients from hardening or clumping. This is not the case with homemade detergent. It's best to make small batches to prevent clumping and store in an airtight container.

Homemade detergentis indeed effectivewhen it comes to removing everyday soils from a load of laundry, but it's not always the best stain remover because it doesn't contain active enzymes that break down certain types of stains so they can be rinsed from the fabric fibers. It's a good idea to have an all-purpose stain remover on hand and pre-treat the stains before putting the laundry in the washing machine.

Make your own detergent: tips and instructions

What you need:

Equipment/Tools:
1 box grater
1 measuring cup
1 rubber gloves
1 sealable container (glass or plastic)
1 wooden spoon
1 Mess spoon

Materials:
1 Borax
1 washing soda (sodium carbonate)
1 pure bar of soap or soap flakes

Make your own detergent: instructions

These instructions are intended for making powdered detergent.

  • Rub the bar soap. If you are using pure bar soap like Zote, grate the soap into flakes using a kitchen grater. You will need a cup of flakes. You can also use soap flakes like Zote Flakes or Ivory Snow.

Tipp:
If you like scented laundry detergent, use one like Humble, which uses plant-based fragrances to make soap flakes.

  • Use a container with a tight-fitting lid. It can be made of glass or plastic and should be a little larger than five cups so you have enough room to mix.
  • Mix two cups of borax, two cups of washing soda, and one cup of soap flakes. Stir well with a wooden spoon and close the container immediately. Be sure to attach a label and instructions for use of the detergent.

WARNING:
Washing soda can cause skin irritation, so wear rubber gloves when mixing the ingredients for your laundry detergent.

Using the right amount

Measure when fillinginto the washing machinecarefully. For a regular washing machine, use three level tablespoons of this homemade laundry detergent per load. Use less for small loads and a quarter cup for extra large loads. For high-efficiency front-load and top-load washers, use one tablespoon per load. For large loads of laundry, increase the amount to two tablespoons.

Tipp:
Pour the detergent directly into the washing drum before adding the dirty laundry. Do not use it in an automatic dispenser as the soap flakes can clump and clog the dispenser.

Store properly

Store detergent in an airtight container out of the reach of children and pets. Be sure to label your detergent container so others know what's in it. As an extra safety measure, include instructions for use and a list of ingredients.

The powdered detergent generally does not lose its effectiveness unless exposed to excessive moisture. If the detergent hardens or clumps due to moisture, discard it. It doesn't dissolve well in the washing machine and can leave soap residue on your clothes.

Make DIY liquid detergent

If you have extremely cold water, liquid detergent is a better choice because powder can sometimes be difficult to dissolve. This formula is particularly good for people withsensitive skinsuitable because it does not contain any irritating colors or fragrances.

What you need:

1 bar of pure soap or 1 cup of soap flakes
4 cups of water
1 cup baking soda
1 cup washing soda (sodium carbonate)
1/2 Tasse Borax
cheese grater
Measuring cup
cooking pot
Resealable 12 liter container

Directions:

  • Grate the bar of pure soap with a regular cheese grater (or use 1 cup of soap flakes).
  • Place the grated soap and water in a large saucepan. Stir constantly over medium-low heat until the soap dissolves and melts.
  • In a large resealable container, combine the melted soap flakes, baking soda, washing soda, borax, and hot water. Washing soda is harsh on the skin, so you should wear rubber gloves.
  • Stir the detergent mixture until everything is dissolved. Cover and let it thicken overnight.
  • Use 2 tablespoons of your homemade liquid laundry detergent per load of laundry. This amount is suitable for both high-efficiency washers and regular top-load washers. Shake well before each use.

Tips:
A glass beverage dispenser, like the one used for iced tea or lemonade, is a suitable container for your liquid detergent. It is easy to dose and refill.

Make your own detergent for sportswear

Ingredients:

4 cups hot tap water
1 bar of Fels-Naptha soap
1 cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (not baking powder – must be sodium bicarbonate)
1/2 Tasse 20 Mule Team Borax

Directions:

  • Grate the bar of soap and place it in a saucepan with the water.
  • Stir continuously over medium-low heat until soap dissolves.
  • Half-fill a 20L bucket with hot tap water.
  • Add the melted soap, washing soda, and borax.
  • Stir well until all the powder is dissolved.
  • Fill the bucket to the brim with hot water.
  • Stir, cover and leave overnight to thicken.

Tipp:
Top Load Washer – Use 1/4 cup
Front load washing machine – use 2-3 tablespoons

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