DIY Non-Toxic Laundry Detergent
Simple powdered laundry detergent, requires only 4 ingredients. non-toxic, aluminum free and no bar soap needed!
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Over the past few years I have been making swaps from toxic to non-toxic cleaners, food, skin care, all of it! I know it can seem daunting at first, and also a little pricey.
When I first started this journey I went to my local refillery, which is a great option when you are just starting out. At first I only bought a bit to test it out and see what I liked and what didn’t really work for me. It is also eco friendly as you bring your own glass containers to refill your laundry detergent, dishwasher powder, shampoo, conditioner, and so much more! But is it cost effective? Not really… I was refilling a quart sized jar of laundry detergent for $25, it didn’t seem to last me longer then a month.
I broke down the cost of this recipe, it comes out to about 0.10 cents a load, and this recipe makes 60 loads, give or take depending on load size and how soiled. The ingredients bought to make this cost around $30, and I can make on average 4/5 recipes worth. I do still LOVE refillerys, they helped make my transition to a non-toxic life so much easier, so check it out if you have one near you!
I also stopped using fabric softener a long time ago, and started using vinegar. Vinegar is non-toxic and so cheap making it very cost effective. Vinegar acts as a natural fabric softener, whitens and brightens clothes, natural disinfecting properties, and helps reduce lint and pet hair in your laundry. Add 1/2 a cup to each load. Try making my natural vinegar cleaner which doubles as a fabric softener with a wonderful natural citrus scent!
Worried about static cling in the dryer?
Ditch those dryer sheets too! Switch to Wool Dryer Balls for a non-toxic and eco friendly alternative!
You might be wondering “why make it when I can buy it?”
I get it, the convenience of buying laundry detergent is great! The ingredients on the other hand, not so great…. Store bought laundry detergents are filled with toxic chemicals, and when we use these detergents those harmful chemicals are on our clothing, bedding, and towels. Our skin lets those chemicals sink in, often causing skin dryness, redness, skin diseases like folliculitis or eczema. Many detergents also contain artificial colors, you know the bright blue goop you pour into your washer… those chemicals are known to cause cancer. But yet company’s still use them?!
Its so important to do your own research and take your health into your own hands, because clearly these company’s do not care about your health whatsoever.
The Natural Living Family has a very in depth article on these awful chemicals, but ill give you a quick break down.
Common toxic ingredients in store bought laundry detergent:
- Dioxane: a known carcinogen since 1988, Its liquid and fumes can spontaneously combust
- Ammonium Sulfate. This laundry additive is so toxic, it’s manufacturers recommend not using it indoors!
- Formaldehyde. Yes, the toxic chemical used to preserve dead bodies is in many laundry products and dish detergents. Exposure, even at low levels, from breathing or smelling formaldehyde increases your risk of cancer according to the CDC.
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate & Sodium Laureth. main ingredient in, and most common chemical in laundry detergents as well as dish liquid, hand wash, and shampoo, intended to remove soil and as a foaming agent—they were originally developed as garage floor degreaser.
- Dyes. Dyes add no cleaning power at all, they are another culprit when unexplained allergies or rashes appear. Many are proven carcinogens.
- Dichlorobenzene (P-Dichlorobenzene/ Benzene). Benzene has an immediate, highly toxic effect on aquatic life that can continue poisoning the watershed for years to come. The fumes cause optical damage, and it is listed with a carcinogen warning for humans.
- Chlorine bleach: severe burns to skin and eyes, blindness, pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs that restricts breathing), respiratory failure, and more; use of personal protection equipment is required when using bleach, including a chemical resistant apron, chemical resistant gloves, safety goggles to protect eyes from fumes, and even air respirators!
Natural laundry detergent break down:
- Sea salt or pink Himalayan salt: Using salt in your laundry helps prevent colors from fading. it can also help with removing scents and armpit discoloration.
- Epsom salt: Helps to soften the water, which helps to soften your laundry!
- Baking soda (Sodium Bicarbonate): The most reliable ingredient to brighten your laundry and get rid of bad smells and stubborn stains. I recommend using an aluminum free brand. While aluminum may not cause cancer, it is proven that aluminum is a neurotoxin.
- Washing soda (Sodium Carbonate): Helps to remove residues of oils, minerals, and a wide range of stains. Washing soda can also get dissolved in water to create a pre-soak solution for tougher stains, such as grease, blood, tea, and coffee.
- Vinegar: Vinegar acts as a natural fabric softener, whitens and brightens clothes, naturally disinfecting properties, and helps reduce lint and pet hair in your laundry. Add 1/2 a cup to each load. Or try making my natural vinegar cleaner which doubles as a fabric softener!
- Essential oils: These help your laundry smell fresh and clean! You can use almost any scent, whatever you like best. When you wash your linens, you can use relaxing scents like lavender or eucalyptus. You can use peppermint, rosemary, citrus scents, you can even mix scents!
Fun fact! One common source of washing soda is the ashes of burned plants; it’s sometimes called soda ash.
DIY Non-Toxic Natural Laundry Detergent
Equipment
- Glass Jar
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup Aluminum free Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate)
- 1 ½ cup Washing Soda (Sodium Carbonate)
- 1/2 cup Epsom Salt
- 1/4 cup Pink Himalayan Salt or Sea Salt
Optional
- 20-25 drops Essential Oils Any scent you like!
- 1/2 cup White Vinegar (See notes)
Instructions
- Measure out all the ingredients straight into your glass jar, make sure it has a lid.Recycled jars work great for this, dont feel like you need to go buy one!
- Mix really well, if using a jar with a tight lid give it a good shake. Make sure everything is well dispersed and there are no clumps from the oils.
- Use 1-2 tablespoons per load. 2 tablespoons works best for large and heavily soiled laundry.
- OPTIONAL: Add 1/2 cup white vinegar to each load along with your detergent. Helps whiten, brighten, soften, also reduces lint and pet hair!
Natalie Perry
Excellent recipe for natural homemade detergent. The chemicals in the store bought stuff are awful and so toxic. We are always looking for more natural solutions. Plus, I love adding vinegar to my wash with borax and baking soda, is it’s a total win! The best part is it leaves the washer clean too with no crazy film and fragrance! Win.