Welcome to Plant and Pause, your place to embark on a journey towards a simpler, healthier, and more sustainable lifestyle. We are on a quest to reduce exposure to chemicals, break free from societal dependencies, and minimise our eco footprint. While on this path, we’ve discovered the empowering world of creating our own products, such as DIY laundry powder. We are going to teach you how to do it too.
This journey is not about rushed widespread changes; instead, it’s a gradual process, a mindful shift towards mindful living. Small steps can lead to big transformations. It all began with my exploration into DIY toxin-free laundry powder. It a pivotal step that not only changed my approach to cleaning but also became a gateway look further into other sustainable practices. Making your own homemade laundry powder is more than a cost-effective alternative. It’s a conscious choice leading to better health for you, your family and the planet.
Now, I invite you to join me on this journey of discovery. I’ll guide you through the art of creating your own DIY laundry powder, from choosing the right ingredients to understanding why they matter. Each step is an invitation to a world where self-sufficiency meets environmental consciousness. Let’s delve into the world of DIY solutions, and together, we’ll unravel the secrets to a healthier, more sustainable, and fulfilling lifestyle.
Toxin-Free DIY Laundry Powder Recipe
Below is the tried and tested recipe I’ve been using for months.
Then, let’s dive deeper into the art of ingredient selection, the secrets behind each component and why teach matters.
Ingredients:
- 1 Laundry Soap Bar (grated) or roughly 110g Soap Flakes
- 1 cup Borax
- 1 cup Washing Soda
- 1 cup Baking Soda
- 1 cup Sea Salt (optional)
Instructions:
1. Grate the soap
- Use a cheese grater to grate the soap bar into small, fine flakes. I like to use the smallest option on my grater.
- Alternatively, a food processor also works if you have one available. Ensure it is completely dry before using.
- A further alternative if you cannot or don’t want to grate a soap bar, is to purchase soap flakes. Something like these Castile Soap Flakes would work great. The final powder may be a little different as these are flakes as opposed to finely grated, but do what works best for you. It will still work.
2. Mix the dry ingredients
- In a large bowl, combine the grated soap, baking soda, washing soda, and salt if using.
3. Thoroughly Mix
- Use a spoon or gloved hands to mix the dry ingredients thoroughly, ensuring an even distribution.
4. Store in an airtight container
- Transfer the mixture to an airtight container.
- You don’t need anything fancy here. I’m using an old plastic laundry powder container and it works well. Why make more waste when you can reuse what you already have? I keep mine in the cupboard, but if you have space to put yours on a more aesthetic display, consider a big glass jar for easy scooping.
5. Usage
- Use 2-3 tablespoons of the DIY laundry powder per load, depending on the size and soil level of your laundry.
I use a scoop from an old laundry powder, it works perfectly.
More About The Ingredients In This DIY Laundry Powder
Laundry Soap Bars
Why Add Laundry Soap Bars To DIY Laundry Powder?
Laundry soap is added to this DIY laundry powder recipe to better remove tough stains such as grease, oil, dirt, grass, blood, sauces, food, drinks, and more. By adding laundry soap, you enhance the cleaning abilities of the mixture. This ensures a more effective removal of stains and increased cleanliness.
Which Laundry Soap Bar Should I Buy?
When crafting your own laundry powder, choose ingredients that are free from toxins. Unfortunately, in regular Australian shops, laundry soap bars contain toxins such as artificial fragrances and nasty additives. Hopefully you have better options in your area, if not, see ideas below.
Many other recipes you find will advocate for Dr. Bronner’s Castile soap. However, this contains ‘fair trade’ palm oil. To address concerns about palm oil, Dr. Bronner’s provides information for you to make an informed decision, as seen here. Therefore, you can read and make up your own mind. Personally, I avoid this palm oil altogether.
For those seeking a better option, I currently use Downunder Wash Co Laundry Bar & Stain Remover, which is Fragrance-Free and contains no nasties. Its ingredients include Coconut Oil, Rice Bran Oil, Lye, Water, Sodium Sesquicarbonate, Sodium Carbonate, and Sodium Bicarbonate.
Alternatively, That Red House Laundry Stick Stain Remover 55g in Lemon Myrtle offers a solution made from Saponified Coconut oil, Lemon Myrtle Oil, and Soapberry Extract.
Excitingly, I am looking forward to creating my own laundry soap bar soon. I will link the recipe here once I do. This will allow me to have even more control over the ingredients and further reduce the overall cost of my DIY laundry powder.
Borax
Why Add Borax To DIY Laundry Powder?
Sodium borate, commonly known as borax, is included in DIY laundry powder for various reasons, including:
Enhanced Cleaning Power
Borax has natural cleaning properties, helping the overall efficacy of the laundry powder. It increases the powders ability to break down and get rid of stains, dirt, and grease from clothing.
Water Softening
Borax acts as a water softener by binding with minerals in hard water, such as calcium and magnesium. Softening the water allows the powder to work better. In areas with hard water, this can impede the cleaning process, preventing soap from lathering and cleaning well.
Deodorising
Borax possesses mild deodorising properties, which helps to neutralise odours within the laundry.
Stain Removal
Borax can play a role in stain removal, particularly for stains like those from food or grease.
Is Borax Safe?
It’s important to know that while borax is a natural mineral with a long history of household cleaning use, there is some debate about its safety if used in high concentrations. Ingesting lots of borax or extended skin exposure may pose risks. Consequently, some individuals opt to avoid using borax in their DIY cleaning products.
Should you choose to incorporate borax in your DIY laundry powder, strict adherence to safety guidelines is crucial. Use it in recommended amounts and remain mindful of potential sensitivities or concerns, especially for those with skin conditions or allergies. Alternatively, you can explore borax-free laundry powder recipes that rely on alternative cleaning agents like washing soda or baking soda.
While I’ve had no issues I do like alternatives. Therefore, I’m experimenting with borax free laundry powder recipes. I will link it here once perfected.
Which Borax Should I Buy?
The borax from your local supermarket is a great option. I use Bare Essentials Borax or Glitz Green Borax.
Washing Soda
Why Add Washing Soda To DIY Laundry Powder?
Washing soda, also known as sodium carbonate, is commonly added to DIY laundry powder, and it serves many uses, such as:
Stain Removal
Washing soda is great for disintegrating and removing stains from fabrics. Its alkaline properties allow it to cut through tough stains such as grease and grime.
Water Softening
Like borax, washing soda is a water softener. Softening the water makes the laundry powder more efficient. It makes it easier to lather for more effective cleaning.
pH Adjustment
With its alkaline nature, washing soda changes the pH level of laundry water. This plays a crucial role in boosting the powders cleaning ability, especially when dealing with acidic stains.
Is Washing Soda Safe?
When incorporating washing soda into DIY laundry powder, sticking to recommended proportions is vital to prevent potential fabric damage or skin irritation. Consequently, as with any cleaning product, it is best to do a small test on a section of clothing.
It’s important to distinguish washing soda from baking soda, which, although also alkaline, is used for a slightly different purpose. While both are used in laundry recipes, washing soda’s stronger alkalinity makes it more suitable for robust cleaning tasks which are often needed in the laundry.
Which Washing Soda Should I Buy?
The washing soda from your local supermarket is a great option. I use Lectric Inwash & Soaker Washing Soda.
Baking Soda
Why Add Baking Soda To DIY Laundry Powder?
Baking Soda is a versatile ingredient, ensuring that your homemade laundry powder provides exceptional results for all your laundry needs. It’s benefits are:
Stain Removal
Baking soda’s natural abrasiveness makes it effective at breaking down and lifting stubborn stains from fabrics, making your clothes look clean and refreshed.
Deodorising
Acting as a powerful deodoriser, baking soda neutralises odours trapped in fabrics, leaving your laundry with a fresh and clean scent.
pH Regulation
Baking soda plays a crucial role in balancing the pH levels of the laundry water, which optimises the cleaning process.
Fabric Softening
By conditioning the water, baking soda helps prevent the build up of minerals on clothes, making them feel softer.
Brightening Whites
Baking soda enhances the cleaning of white fabrics, adding to the vibrancy and whiteness of your clothes.
Which Baking Soda Should I Buy?
The baking soda from your local supermarket is a great option. I use Essentials Bicarbonate Soda.
Salt
Why Add Salt To DIY Laundry Powder?
Table salt, or sodium chloride, can be added into DIY laundry powder recipes, although it is not as prevalent as other laundry-related ingredients such as washing soda, borax, or laundry soap. It’s is optional.
Here are some reasons why salt might be introduced:
Colour Protection
Salt is at times added to laundry recipes to assist in setting the colour of fabrics, especially for vividly coloured items. It is thought to contribute to preventing colours from bleeding or fading during the wash.
Water Softening
While not as potent as borax or washing soda, salt does possess some water-softening properties. In regions with moderately hard water, salt can enhance detergent efficiency by mitigating the impact of mineral hardness on the cleaning process.
Detergent Performance Boost
In certain instances, salt is included in DIY laundry detergents to augment the overall cleaning effectiveness of the mixture. It may enhance the solubility of the detergent in water.
Which Salt Should I Buy?
If you are specifically looking for colour protection or water softening in your laundry, it’s recommended to use the appropriate type of salt for the intended purpose. Table salt, kosher salt, or other salts with sodium chloride can be used for colour protection and modest water softening. Noting that dedicated water softeners like borax or washing soda may be more effective for water softening purposes.
When I add salt to my homemade laundry powder I just use a regular table salt such as Essentials Table Salt 1kg.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Substitute Salt with Epsom Salt?
While both table salt (sodium chloride) and Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) are salts, they have different chemical compositions and properties. In the context of DIY laundry detergent recipes, the roles of table salt and Epsom salt are distinct.
Epsom salt does not have the same properties as table salt in terms of colour protection or water softening. Therefore, substituting Epsom salt for table salt in a DIY laundry detergent recipe may not provide the same benefits. Further, it’s important to note that the influence of Epsom salt on clothing during a wash can vary, and its effectiveness compared to other laundry additives is not thoroughly established.
Epsom salt, or magnesium sulfate, is not a commonly found ingredient in laundry detergents or laundry recipes. However, if included in a wash, it may influence clothing in a few ways:
Softening
Epsom salt exhibits water-softening properties akin to other salts like table salt. This softening of water has the potential to improve detergent performance by facilitating more effective lathering. Additionally, soft water aids in preventing the accumulation of mineral deposits on clothing and within the washing machine.
Brightening Whites
Some individuals believe that introducing Epsom salt to a laundry load, especially with whites, can contribute to brightening colours. Nevertheless, this effect is likely to be subtle compared to the impact of dedicated laundry brighteners or bleach.
Relaxing Fibres
Epsom salt is commonly associated with inducing muscle relaxation in bathwater. This property may extend to fabrics in the laundry, potentially contributing to a softer feel. However, any effect is expected to be mild.
Can I Add Fragrance To My DIY Laundry Powder?
Should I Add Essential Oils To My DIY Laundry Powder?
Some suggest incorporating 20-30 drops of essential oils into your homemade laundry powder. However, the inclusion of a couple of drops of essential oils in DIY laundry powder is primarily for fragrance and sensory benefits rather than significant cleaning or antimicrobial effects. While these oils contribute a pleasant scent to your laundry, a couple of drops per load is usually insufficient for strong antibacterial properties or lingering scents post wash.
If adding fragrance it’s crucial to account for individual sensitivities by testing a small amount on fabric before widespread use. Essential oils vary in strength, so starting with a smaller amount and increasing if necessary is advisable.
How Well Does This DIY Laundry Powder Work On Really Bad Stains?
In general I’ve found this laundry powder works as well as anything I’ve purchased from the supermarket before.
However, for extra stain-fighting power, you can pre-treat stains with a paste made from a small amount of the powder and water.
Safety precautions
While the DIY laundry powder ingredients are generally considered as safe, it’s crucial to consider the safety of both users and the environment.
Skin Sensitivity
Some people may have skin sensitivities or allergies to some ingredients. Before using, conduct a patch test, especially if you have sensitive skin. If irritation occurs, discontinue use immediately.
In our household, where allergies and sensitive skin are present, we have not encountered any issues using the above recipe. Nonetheless, it is crucial to conduct your own test to ensure its suitability for your circumstances.
Respiratory Sensitivity
Certain ingredients such as fine particles in powder, may become airborne during preparation and use. Those with respiratory sensitivities or conditions like asthma should be careful. Consider wearing a mask or conducting the preparation in a well-ventilated area.
Eye Protection
When handling concentrated ingredients or during the preparation process, there is a risk of accidental splashes that could irritate the eyes. It is advisable to wear protective eyewear to prevent any contact with the eyes.
Storage and Child Safety
Always store cleaning products, including this DIY laundry powder, in a secure location, out of reach of children. Accidental ingestion of certain ingredients can be harmful.
Conclusion
Embracing a DIY toxin-free laundry powder not only ensures clean clothes but also aligns with a broader commitment to a healthier lifestyle and a more sustainable environment. By creating your own laundry powder, you gain control over ingredients, reduce exposure to chemicals, and actively contribute to minimising the environmental impact of many laundry practices. So, take a leap towards a cleaner, greener lifestyle, one laundry load at a time.
Find more tips on creating a Holistic Home here.
