5-minute Laundry Detergent
5-minute Laundry Detergent! Is one of those essentials we just can’t go without, right? I have two little ones that get dirty just by eating breakfast, and the husband works out and sweats a lot. So, my piles of laundry never fade. On top of that, it’s important to me to use natural ingredients for clean around the house.
Although I love my old detergent – I think it is time to create a more affordable and convenient detergent. Why convenient? Since we moved to Japan, it has become a drag to receive packages from the states. I have to wait 45+ days to receive my Honest Company detergent. No, thank you. I am ready to move on.
I searched the web for useful, affordable and natural detergent alternatives. After my search was complete, I was able to pull ingredients from a few recipes and created my own. Let’s not overlook that I want clean, good smelling clothing, without the toxic ingredients. The best part of this laundry detergent recipe is that you can mix the batch in just 5 minutes.
When I made my first batch of this laundry detergent recipe, I wanted to incorporate a bar of soap that is skin friendly so it wouldn’t bother my kids. I have used the Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps Pure-Castile Soap for years now and love it. It was a no-brainer to incorporate it! Here are some great facts about the soap.
- All Natural Organic Certified Ingredients; biodegradable; Packaged In (10% Hempflax / 90% Post-Consumer Recycled Paper); No Animal Testing And Cruelty-Free
- Top Selling Natural Soap In The USA
- Cleans Body And Leaves Skin Beautified With Its Soft Lather; Great For Shaving
- Lavender And Lavandin Oil Creates A Soothing And Harmonizing Bathing Experience; Replenish Body & Soul
- Great For Camping; Backpacking; Traveling
MY FIRST LOAD OF LAUNDRY TEST
I added Lavender Essential Oils to my first load of laundry (my kids colored clothing, included stains from foods and also crafts – spaghetti sauce & glitter glue).
The laundry was washed with a new top load Whirlpool machine (older model). The clothes came out smelling incredible, clean, and after I dried them with my dryer balls (see tutorial HERE) they were super soft and seemed vibrant.
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 lbs 6 oz of Borax = 1/2 box of Borax 76 oz.
- 2 boxes of Baking Soda 1lbs each
- 1 Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps Pure-Castile Soap
- optional Essential Oils
- Big bowl to mix ingredients in
- Big glass jar for storing homemade laundry detergent
- 1/8 measuring cup
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Add the Borax and baking soda into a big bowl.
- Grate your bar of soap into the Borax & Baking Soda mix.
- Mix well.
- Use 1/8 cup per load.
- Optional – add 20 drops of Essential Oils to each 1/8 cup. (right before adding to the laundry)
You can also download the ready made Recipe card right here. I made a pdf with two cards on it, so you can save one for yourself and share one with a friend.
I made this banner below, for easy pinning. Please feel free to share and try my 5-minute Laundry Detergent.
PIN OUR RECIPE
Bye,
Betty
Why baking soda and not washing soda? I haven’t seen a recipe like this. Curious to try myself!
It’s to reduce odor, baking soda is a bit more skin friendly!
I’ve read that washing soda is simply baking soda that’s been cooked to evaporate more of the water. As in you can make your own in your kitchen oven. So, essentially the same thing, just one is lighter and dryer than the other.
Thank you for letting us know, I had no idea!