Contains affiliate links. All opinions are honest, as always.
Have you discovered Dr Bronner’s Castile Soap? It is pretty amazing stuff. I’ve been using it in homemade natural laundry detergent, amongst other things.
Over the past six months or so, inspired by the sustainability project I’ve been working on with IKEA and Hubbub, I’ve been trying to reduce the amount of chemicals we use. Dr Bronner’s Organic Citrus Castile Liquid Soap, which you can buy here is a key ingredient. It really is brilliant, with 101 uses, apparently!
I’ve been using it diluted in soap dispensers, and have made a cleaning spray. But my favourite use is as a key ingredient of eco-friendly homemade natural laundry detergent. It not only cleans well, but is also better for the environment. I’ve also noticed Ava’s eczema has really improved since we’ve been using it!
So if you want to try to make your own eco-friendly laundry detergent, read on! It’s easy and fun.
Ingredients For 1 Litre of Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent
- 4 Tablespoons of Soda Crystals (Washing Soda) Buy here.
- 4 Tablespoons of Bicarbonate of Soda (Baking Soda) Buy here.
- 3 Tablespoons of Dr Bronner’s Castile Soap (I used citrus but you could choose lavender or another scent) Buy here.
- 1 Litre of Water
- A few drops of Lemon Essential Oil (optional)
Equipment for Eco-Friendly Homemade Laundry Detergent
- Hand Blender. Buy here.
- Bottle (mine is from Tiger but you could reuse an old laundry liquid bottle)
- Large Jar
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How to Make Eco-Friendly Homemade Laundry Detergent
STEP 1:
Add the Soda Crystals and Bicarbonate of Soda to the beaker of your blender, and add enough warm water to cover it. Then blitz it until it’s nice and smooth.
STEP2:
Add the Dr Bronner’s Soap and a few drops of essential oil, if using and top the jug up with water and give it a good stir. Don’t be tempted to blitz it with you blender as it will bubble up everywhere! Then pour into your bottle and pour anything that won’t fit into a storage jar to save for later.
How to Use Eco-Friendly Homemade Laundry Detergent
Before using, give your eco-friendly laundry liquid a massive shake, as it does separate (my bottle is great as it’s for protein shakes and has a blending disc.) Then use it like normal laundry detergent – about 2 Tablespoons should be enough but you may want to experiment.
If you have stains, throw in a scoop of Vanish or spray them before you wash as it gets out normal dirt but isn’t up to major stains.
Have you every made your own natural products? I’d love to hear about it, please leave me a comment! If you’re looking for other eco-friendly laundry ideas, you’ll find some more here. And if you want to learn how to clean your home without chemicals, you might like this review.
Why not Pin my guide to eco-friendly homemade natural laundry detergent for later?
Thank you Becky for the post of this . Very good. God Bless you.
You’re welcome, I hope it’s useful for you
Such a great post! I am definitely going to try this! Thanks for sharing! Love you loads Becky!
Interesting – I’ve just bought some soda crystals and am keen to explore more natural cleaning products. Our plan is to use the soda crystals in the drains once a month to avoid the repeat of a costly bill 🙂 #homeetc
Yikes that sounds bad Stephanie! I use bicarb and white vinegar in our drains but I will give soda crystals a go as they are much cheaper! Thanks for the tip! xx
I have never, ever EVER heard of this stuff??!!! Absolutely amazing — I’m off to look for it now. I love this kind of post — amazing when you find out something you’d no idea existed! Thanks so much for sharing Becky!! 🙂 Caro xx #HomeEtc
Ah that’s so cool Caro, I hope you like it as much as I do! It is really great stuff and good for us and the planet 🙂 xx
I’m going to try this too because I love a good hack! Plus this looks easy and I bet it’s better than regular cleaning products. Thanks for sharing! Love Jess xx
#HomeEtc
Thanks Jess, it is easy, I’m going to whip up a new load this afternoon actually! Thanks for hosting xx
I’m definitely going to be trying this – I love Dr Bronners and use it all the time, but only for washing myself, not my clothes. I do make a lot of my own cleaning products (totally rely on vinegar, bicarbonate of soda and essential oils) but have never made laundry detergent. Great post! #HomeEtc
Thanks Molly, I am a big fan of vinegar and bicarb too, and want to expand my repertoire! xx