This is a great recipe if you’re looking for an affordable alternative for fragrance-free, gentle and non-toxic laundry detergent. I’d rather use laundry detergent powder than the store-bought heavily dyed detergents that try to advertise themselves as ‘gentle.’
If you’re doing laundry for your baby or child, this is also a great recipe since it can be great for sensitive skin as it has no fragrances in it. I like to make this in large batches and store it in a large glass jar. Keep a Tablespoon measure in there and you’re all set.
To use, just sprinkle 1 or 2 Tablespoons (depending on the load size or soil level) of the laundry detergent powder on top of your clothes before a regular wash cycle. To use for cloth diapers, do the same but follow a cloth diaper wash routine. I’ll be sharing mine soon!
Supplies & Ingredients:
- Large Glass Jar
- Fragrance-Free Epsom Salt
- Pure Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate)
- Washing Soda (Sodium Carbonate)
- Sea Salt
One batch of this recipe will yield about 120 loads of laundry at one Tablespoon per load.
Benefits to Making Your Own Detergent:
Cost-Effective
Making your own laundry detergent can be significantly cheaper than buying commercial brands. The ingredients are often inexpensive and can be bought in bulk, reducing the cost per load.
Control Over Ingredients
When you make your own detergent, you know exactly what goes into it. This is particularly beneficial for those with sensitive skin or allergies, as you can avoid harsh chemicals, fragrances and dyes commonly found in commercial detergents.
Reduced Waste
By making your own detergent, you can reduce the amount of plastic packaging waste since you’re not buying new containers with each purchase. You can reuse jars or containers for storage.
Customizable
This recipe can be tailored to fit your needs. You can add or reduce ingredients based on your washing preferences, water hardness or fabric types. For example, you might increase baking soda for extra deodorizing power or add essential oils for a natural scent.
Less Chemical Exposure
Many commercial detergents contain chemicals like optical brighteners, phosphates and surfactants that might not be necessary for cleaning clothes effectively. By making your own, you can avoid these and reduce exposure to potentially harmful substances.
NO Animal Testing
This recipe is cruelty-free since you’re not relying on products that might have been tested on animals.
Gentle Laundry Detergent Powder Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Large Glass Jar
Materials
- 1 Cup Fragrance-Free Epsom Salt
- 3 Cups Pure Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate)
- 3 Cups Washing Soda (Sodium Carbonate)
- 1/2 Cup Sea Salt
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and stir well.
- Store in a large glass jar with a lid to prevent dampness.
- To use, sprinkle 1 – 2 Tablespoons of mixture onto a load of clothes in the washer, before starting the wash cycle. Wash as normal.
Notes
- Large Glass Jar
- Fragrance-Free Epsom Salt
- Pure Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate)
- Washing Soda (Sodium Carbonate)
- Sea Salt
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