Just 3 months back I wrote the very first Itty Bitty Bonzai about the dangers of bleach, and included a simple recipe for a homemade substitute. Since then, I’ve been sort of obsessed with diy, non-toxic cleaning solutions. I’ve tinkered and tested and mixed (and messed) so much, I feel like a modern alchemist! But the work has paid off, and so finally I’m proud to share this, the first of my many concoctions: Sayward’s Homemade Laundry Soap
This stuff works great! It’s so much safer than synthetic chemical cleaners, and it’s also quite a bit cheaper than pre-made ‘eco-friendly’ detergents. It’s just five simple, all-natural ingredients.
White Vinegar – Vinegar is simply acetic acid: diluted, mild, and edible, but acid nonetheless. As such, it will dissolve dirt, mildew, mineral build-up, and soap scum. Vinegar is something of a wonder cleanser, and you’ll be seeing a lot more of it around here in the near future. Available everywhere.
Baking Soda – Baking soda is another amazing all-purpose cleaner, but it’s also an excellent deodorizer. As well, it softens water and helps to maintain neutral pH so that detergent can work more efficiently. It keeps your colored clothes from fading and also gets whites brighter. Available everywhere, but check the bulk bins at your local co-op.
Washing Soda – Baking soda’s badass cousin. Washing soda is much more alkaline and cuts oils like a pro, so it’s great in the laundry. It also helps to deodorize, but fighting grease and stains is the primary purpose. Look for it in the drug store or supermarket, in with the laundry and cleaning supplies.
Borax – Borax is awesome! It’s a natural stain remover and an excellent alternative to bleach, because it’s an anti-fungal/anti-mold and all-around disinfectant. Coupled with regular soap, it greatly increases cleaning power. Look for it in the drug store or supermarket, in with the laundry and cleaning supplies.
Castile Soap – ‘Castile’ isn’t a brand, but a type of soap: one that is made using only vegetable oils (as opposed to most soaps which render from animal fat). So not only is it vegan and cruelty-free, but it’s much easier on the environment as well. Castile soap is a superior gentle cleanser, and quickly biodegrades. I use Dr. Bronner’s lavender scented soap, and I absolutely adore it. Available at most ‘natural’ stores, and many Trader Joe’s.
Recipe:
1 1/4 cups white vinegar
1 cup baking soda
1 cup washing soda
1 cup borax
1/4 cup liquid castile soap
Mix in a large, non-metal bowl. I re-used (and decorated!) my previous soap tub, which worked great. Start with the vinegar and continuously stir as you add each powder. Try to stir out and break up any clumps. Finish with the liquid soap. It will seem wet, like a thick paste, but keep stirring and it will begin to flake and crumble into a moist ‘powdered detergent’. KEEP STIRRING! If you quit too early, you’ll find a very hard mass the next time you go to use it. So use them biceps and stir it to completion. You’ll end up with a sort of soft clumpy cake-y ‘loaf’, that will easily crumble off for use.
If you use plain non-scented castile soap, you may add a few drops of your favorite essential oil.
Store in a lidded container and use about 1/4 cup per load.
Enjoy, and happy green laundering!
Sayward
29 April, 2009
@ Kate – Well, I used the lavender castile, so it smells like AMAZING lavender flowers! It smells really, really good. I think peppermint castile would be really nice too. Or maybe orange!
The soap really holds the smell, which is so lovely. =)
Alex
29 April, 2009
Very cool. And I’m just about out of detergent! I think I may have to give this a shot. Again about the smell, is the lavender particularly strong? I do love that smell, and even use some TJ’s lavender-scented soap, but I’m not sure I want all my clothes and sheets coming out with that scent.
Amber Kaplan
29 April, 2009
I can’t wait to try this out! Thank you!
sarah
30 April, 2009
Funny… I was just looking at the low level of laundry detergent in my last bottle and thinking, “Do I really want to spend 16 bucks on a little bitty bottle of Mrs. Meyers?”
You are amazing!
Sayward
30 April, 2009
@ Alex – The lavender odor is pretty strong. My clothes definitely carry the scent, although I wouldn’t say it’s overwhelming at all. Maybe instead you could try the plain castile (that’s the one they carry at Trader Joe’s) and add a drop of essential oil. I bet something citrus-y would be really nice.
@ Amber – Of course! And let me know how it goes.
@ sarah – Thank you! The start-up of this project can be a bit higher, since each of the ingredients come in a big box of its own. Still, you’ll have enough to last forever – definitely worth a little investment (probably still under $20).
HoorayParade
4 May, 2009
do you have a front loader or a top loader?
sarah
8 May, 2009
Right about the higher cost… but that’s what I was assuming too. Although I forgot to buy white vinegar, and I was curious if I could substitute apple cider vinegar? One wouldn’t think the smell would be too overpowering mixed with everything else… but who knows. Vinegar all cleans the same right? Hmmmmm…
Sayward
9 May, 2009
@ Sarah – I would probably hold off on using the cider vinegar and wait until you can get some distilled stuff. The acidity may be different, and the color is certainly different. It might not matter, but I’ve only ever seen white vinegar called for in cleaning, so I wouldn’t want to recommend subbing. The white stuff is so cheap anyway, and a great all-purpose cleanser to have around the house.
sarah
9 May, 2009
I had the hubby pick some up for me… and we just finished making it! Gonna go some laundry now ;)
Now you need to come up with a way to make a safe, natural countertop spray… oh wait, vinegar haha.
Sayward
9 May, 2009
@ sarah – yup! baking soda to scrub, vinegar to spray. =)
Let me know how the laundry soap works!
Cipollina
14 May, 2009
When you say “white vinegar” is that the same as wine vinegar?
As opposed to apple cider vinegar – which is the other kind of two that we have here, apart from the deli stuff (strawberry vinegar!!!).
Sayward
15 May, 2009
@ Cipollina – White wine vinegar and white vinegar are not really the same thing. White vinegar comes from white wine vinegar, but it has been distilled so it is stronger and has also lost it’s desirable flavor.
Honestly, I’d hit up the market for some plain white (aka ‘distilled’) vinegar. It’s *very* cheap and really handy to have around – it cleans almost anything!
Whatever you do, don’t use the strawberry! =)
Cipollina
19 May, 2009
Thank you ever so much! Distilled and not strawberry, then! Hehe! :D
Ginger Baker
27 May, 2009
I am so gonna make this – bought the supplies last night in fact. :-) I’ll probably blog about it too, just because. Actually I find our minds are on the same track on a lot of things LOL! If I don’t move faster I’m going to find all my posts suffering from just-too-late syndrome!
Sayward
28 May, 2009
@ Cipollina – Although, strawberry might give a nice aroma . . . =)
@ Ginger Baker – I think the blogosphere is awesome like that, with everyone sort of driving/inspiring everyone else. Keeps us all moving forward! Plus, I certainly wasn’t the first to come up with this sort of thing. (although my pictures are purty, if I do say so myself)
=D
Ginger Baker
29 May, 2009
HAH! Yes, you are definitely an inspiration with the beautiful photos – makes me long for a new camera so I can get some nice ones meself. (And also lends to my keeping the house looking nifty as *hey* who wants to have to clear the counter every time they make raw ice cream for a pretty picture? Much better to just keep it looking nice!)
Sayward
30 May, 2009
@ Ginger Baker – Totally! That is just one of the many ways that blogging keeps me ‘in check’ in my life. Must have a clean house for all the photography! =)
Adam
20 June, 2009
You know, just as a bit of knowledge here, the vinegar isn’t doing anything here. You’ve neutralized it with the soda, which is basic, so the vinegar is really just detracting from the efficiency of the sodas’ cleaning abilities.
You should try it without the vinegar, and see how that goes.
Tyrone Jenkins
21 June, 2009
What about the washing machines that need special ‘HE’ detergent? Will this bork them?
BillLumberg
21 June, 2009
All of these ingredients are great alternatives to detergent, so I’m sure they are quite powerful together. I think a bigger concern should be that top loading washer of yours, as it is a big water and energy waster. Front loading washers are not only easy on the environment and pocketbook, they are gentler on your clothes.
anonymous
21 June, 2009
shopped.
The Electric Housewife
24 June, 2009
Instead of adding it to my home-brewed detergent, I use white vinegar in the final rinse as a fabric softener. A ball of aluminum foil in the dryer will eliminate static, and is reusable until the kids run off with it or the cat bats it under the fridge.
Maureen Thomson
5 July, 2009
I’ve been adding baking soda and Borax to my unscented (commercial) detergent for years, but this is even better. I’m going to make up a batch as soon as I find a container. Thanks so much!
Sayward
6 July, 2009
Thanks everyone for the comments and input!
@ Tyrone Jenkins – Not sure about the special HE stuff. Is it really different, or a marketing gimmick? I don’t have one so I don’t know, sorry!
Nathalie
10 July, 2009
I think the HE stuff is just less sudsy. I assume that because these ingredients are all natural and biodegrade quite easily that it wouldn’t be bad for a front loading washing machine.
We are on an incredibly tight budget right now, so I think I’ll make this instead of buying $15-$20 detergent that doesn’t last very long…
Have you come up with any natural dishwashing liquid/powder? Would this stuff work and actually clean the dishes?
Nathalie
10 July, 2009
Oh yah, also, what about the mildew in my shower? I’ve tried vinegar but it doesn’t quite do it. I’m REALLY hesitant to buy some crazy industrial cleaner, but I really need something to help get rid of it. Any ideas? I figure if you’ve got a recipe for home made laundry soap, then you’ll have some great ideas for a shower/tile cleaner.
Thanks!
In fact, if you could do a post on natural cleaners and the best ways to keep your house clean using the basics (the ingredients in your laundry detergent) that would be awesome!
Sayward
11 July, 2009
@ Nathalie – Thanks for the advice on the HE washers – sounds good to me! =)
I am working on a dishwasher cleaner right now, as well as a number of other ‘recipes’. I do plan to cover all manner of household cleaners – natural and homemade – eventually!
As for mildew, try sprinkling the area with baking soda (a cleanser and mild abrasive), then scrubbing with a sponge soaked in vinegar. If that’s not strong enough, you can dissolve 1 part borax & 1 part vinegar in hot water, then use this to cleanse the mildew. Borax is anti-fungal/anti-mold and should definitely do the trick. Luck!
Melis
13 July, 2009
I recently stumbled across your blog, looking around for a recipe such as this! perfect! I made it and am completely happy with the results! I have been using it in warm/hot water so far…just wondering if you’ve found the powder dissolves just as well in cold…I guess I could just try it, but figured I’d ask instead :)
…on another note, I have completely fallen in love with your blog and am trying so many of the things you write about! I am planning a fall garden as we speak, am working on that clothesline, and even tried the vegan thing out a tad – didn’t forever commit to the vegan-ism…is that a word? – but definately appreciate and understand it so much more now! thanks for all the inspiration! can’t wait to keep reading!
Sayward
17 July, 2009
@ Melis – Aw thanks lady! I’m so glad you like the blog and you’re getting a lot out of it. Welcome!
For the Laundry detergent, I almost always use a cold wash, and it always works great. I wouldn’t worry. =)
MadScientist
26 July, 2009
Definitely an interesting recipe. One thing though: vinegar and baking soda together will cancel each other out. It’s an acid base reaction that produces just water and Carbon Dioxide gas. Probably makes some fizz, but won’t help clean your clothes. See this: http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/chem00/chem00303.htm
Might want to leave out either the baking soda or the vinegar, and see how it goes.
Sayward
26 July, 2009
@ MadScientist – I think it’s time I address this misunderstanding, since it pops up in many of my recipes involving baking soda and vinegar. As the link you provided says:
“Your experiment was an example of a reaction between and acid (vinegar) and a base (baking soda). Such reactions typically form a “salt” and water.”
SO – An acid + a base does not just make “carbon dioxide + water” – this is the common misconception. This reaction produces a salt + water. Salts are great for all sorts of applications.
In this case, the salt is sodium acetate, which, amongst other things, is an excellent buffer.
Calimama
27 July, 2009
Not to mention that, at least in this recipe, you’ve got way more alkaline items in there than acid with the borax + washing soda + baking soda, so it’s not going to completely neutralize anyway! This looks great. I’m going to try it as soon as I run out of my ECOS!
Sara
30 July, 2009
This recipe looks great! My only question is, how long does this keep? Maybe this is a stupid question, but can it go bad?
You see, I’m in university and I plan on making batches in bulk to cut time.
Sayward
31 July, 2009
@ Sarah – I made my batch (a triple recipe) months and months ago, and it’s still going strong. I think it’ll keep indefinitely. =)
Sara
1 August, 2009
Thanks! That’s so great, makes me think… I bet it lasts longer than regular chemical cleaners too!
PS. Love your article on natural cleaners. Lemon juice and salt is almost all I need for the kitchen :).
Marianne
16 August, 2009
I have been using this recipe for some time and am thrilled with the results!
We are due with our first baby in a couple of weeks and will be using cloth diapers. As you have stated above, Borax works great as an anti-fungal/anti-mold agent, however, what about protecting the diapers from bacteria? Should I be using an additional essential oil such as tea tree to protect from bacteria?
north kacky
16 August, 2009
works as advertised. amazing site, thank you for sharing all of these wonderful ideas.
Sayward
18 August, 2009
@ Marianne – Between the soap, the vinegar, and the borax, you should be okay. BUT, since we’re talking about a wee one, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to add a little back up. =) Tea tree is a great antibacterial, as is lavender and eucalyptus. I use lavender castile soap, so adding a bit of lavender EO would be easy and awesome. =)
Twitter Trackbacks for Natural Homemade Laundry Detergent | Bonzai Aphrodite [bonzaiaphrodite.com] on Topsy.com
19 August, 2009
[...] Natural Homemade Laundry Detergent | Bonzai Aphrodite bonzaiaphrodite.com/2009/04/natural-homemade-laundry-detergent – cached page Just 3 months back I wrote the very first Itty Bitty Bonzai about the dangers of bleach, and included a simple recipe for a homemade substitute. — From the page [...]
Leilani
28 September, 2009
Mixed my first batch tonight, boy that bowl got hot with the vinegar soda reaction…..Washed the first load with it, love the smell. Going to experiment more with vinegar in our laundry. Our water is VERY hard so we cant use bleach (yes, I know bleach is bad anyway) because everything turns yellow from the bleach mineral reaction. Be nice if vinegar would help keep white underwear white…dingy yellow is not very fetching after awhile :)
Sayward
30 September, 2009
@ Leilani – Vinegar will help whiten a bit, but it mostly will act as a fabric softener (good for our hard water). If you want a natural whitener, try adding some lemon juice!
Krista
17 October, 2009
Does it matter if you use liquid castile versus grated bar castile?
Sayward
18 October, 2009
@ Krista – Nope, I think bar soap would be fine. Just make sure it’s well-mixed.
Sam
29 October, 2009
Do you know if this is hypo-allergenic? (Like ‘All-Free and Clear’)
This would be a deal breaker if not. :S
supergeek
29 October, 2009
but wont the sodium bicarbonate neutralize the acetic acid, leaving you with water excess baking soda and in the process you release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere totally contradicting the “green” look you are going for?
Sayward
30 October, 2009
@ Sam – That term is sort of ambiguous with no actual medical definition, so I’m not sure in what sense you’re using it? But it’s all very common household ingredients, most of them edible. I’d say in the general sense of hypoallergenic meaning ‘much less allergy-causing’, then yes it is definitely hypoallergenic. I haven’t had a single complaint yet!
@ superkeek – Nope! Not even a little bit. This has been discussed quite a bit in the comments here, and apparently there’s a lot of misunderstanding of chemistry out there. I suggest you read through the comments, but here’s a summary from something I said way up there ^^^.
“An acid + a base does not just make “carbon dioxide + water” – this is the common misconception. This reaction produces a salt + water. Salts are great for all sorts of applications.
In this case, the salt is sodium acetate, which, amongst other things, is an excellent buffer.”
Rayne
31 October, 2009
Is this detergent safe for all clothing? Or should one find something gentler for things like lingerie and silk?
Kendra
3 November, 2009
I think I’m going to try this recipe. I’ve been googling for a simple, homemade recipe to try. We currently use a detergent from Whole Foods, but it’s awful for my daughter’s skin. Plus, this will be a great cost saver as well! Can you tell me if these ingredients are supposed to be gentle on skin? I don’t know anything about Borax, so that’s the one ingredient that I wasn’t sure about.
Sayward
5 November, 2009
@ Rayne – Definitely safe for the dainties!
@ Kendra – These should be very gentle on sensitive skin, though everybody will react different of course. The only one I would worry about would be the borax, but even that should be okay (I’ve heard of women using borax to douche, so that should mean it’s pretty mild! eek!). I’d make it as it’s written and then if there’s an issue, try removing the borax. But I bet it’s fine. Luck!
Judy
14 November, 2009
always interested in homemade recipes for all kinds of cleaners.I already make my own laundry detergent,so I’m going to try this one too.
Kristen
28 November, 2009
Okay, love your site and the laundry detergent! I have recently wiped my house clean of toxic chemical cleaners for house and our bodies, and I will be trying this recipe! I also have a website that highlights green/homemade living, so I am in harmony with your groove as well! Check it out sometime!
Sayward
30 November, 2009
@ Kristen – Congrats on getting rid of all the chemicals, especially with little ones in the house. And good luck with the blogging – lookin’ good! =)
Laura O
7 December, 2009
I made my first batch of detergent over the weekend, after fishing a (former) 5-lb. plastic olive jar out of the recycling bin at the restaurant where I work. When I mixed up all the ingredients, it seemed way too wet, so I added more baking soda, washing soda and borax. Then I closed the jar and set it in my laundry room, very proud of myself.
A couple hours later, when I gathered up my towels to do a trial run, the detergent had completely hardened, solid as a rock. I had to bash the jar against my driveway and only managed to get the detergent out by cutting the jar open. I ended up grating most of it back into a usable form (worked!). Total headache which left me with sore muscles. Will let you know how the second batch goes! I guess this’ll teach me to follow the recipe.
Dmo
8 December, 2009
When you use the detergent, when do you add it?
Sayward
9 December, 2009
@ Laura O – Oh no! I heard a similar story from a reader who had to re-powder it in a food processor, ha! At least you were able to salvage it. =)
@ Dmo – At the very beginning, just like regular powder.
Dmo
15 December, 2009
I thought you had to add powder to a machine when the water level was raised, before putting clothes in?
I only recently graduated from putting all my clothes in unsorted and washed on cold. :)
Sayward
15 December, 2009
@ DMO – I just put in the clothes, sprinkle the powder over them, and then turn on the machine. Never pre-filled with water and never had any problems. But everybody does it a bit different, I think. =)
Nikki
22 December, 2009
To use or not to use?
I have a house full of chemical cleaning agents and I really really just want to go back to the basics (Baking Soda/Borax/Vinegar/Salt/Lemons). My intriguing question to you is this. Does one use what they have and replace with natural alternatives as they go along … or … Give/Throw away the nasties and whip up the natural? hmmmmm……
Sayward
22 December, 2009
@ Nikki – I think it’s a totally personal choice, whatever works for you. If you can afford to replace all your conventional cleaners with natural cleaners all at once, maybe you just want to get it done! What you do with the leftover ‘bad’ stuff is up to you. I’ve seen people who don’t want to ‘waste’ it, give it away for free on sites like Craigslist or Freecycle. Or, if you feel like you don’t want anyone else using the nasty chemicals, then you can just properly dispose of it. I guess it just depends on where your priorities lie (financial, wastefulness, that the chemicals are out there at all, etc) and that’s totally up to you.
Luck!
Laura O
7 January, 2010
Okay, the second batch has come out much better than the first. I resisted the urge to add more dry ingredients…instead I checked it every hour or so and gave it a stir to fluff it up. My towels came out so nice and soft, and I didn’t even use fabric softener! Can’t wait to wash some clothes with it!
Jenny
9 January, 2010
I discovered this blog about a month ago while looking for a better homemade detergent recipe. Can I just say – Oh. My. Gosh. Ilovethisrecipesomuch! The water where I live is so hard and makes everything dingy. Now my clothes are so nice and clean and BRIGHT! The first time I made it, though, I forgot to measure the soap. I had just mixed everything together and stopped stirring to figure out the soap and when I came back to the mixture about 1 minute later it was concrete. I just laughed it off and got out the grater. ^_^
All the best, Jenny
Brooke
12 January, 2010
I just tried making your laundry detergent a couple of hours ago and now it is solid as a rock. I saw someone else had this problem, but they added more stuff, I did the exact amount you called for. Any suggestions? Did I not stir it enough? Also, can I fix it somehow? Thanks so much for your blog. I just found it this morning and love it.
LisaMaddox
15 January, 2010
I’ve been using this recipe for months (thank you, by the way!). My first attempt ended in concrete. I got out the old cheese grater and a heavy metal spoon to grate/scrape the mass into usable chunks. I really don’t think there’s any other way to salvage the soap.
I’ve found that the order in which you add the ingredients makes a difference. My best attempt was mixed like so:
Vinegar
Borax
Washing Soda
Castile
Baking Soda
Another helpful hint is NEVER STOP STIRRING! Once you stop stirring, it seems that the heat from the acid/base reaction bakes your soap into a brick. Recruit a stirring partner, if needed (I do).
I’ve also grated bar Castile soap and boiled it in water to make a gel (when I, sadly, ran out of Dr Bronner’s). It made the finished product stickier than the regular recipe, and eventually the bottom layers of soap were soggier than the top, but cleaned just the same.
So, after my sticky batch, I’ve considered mixing the dry ingredients and Castile soap, then adding the vinegar to the wash water. I think I’ll end up using more vinegar, but it might be a fair trade for the fear of making another bucket of concrete! ^_^
Meghan
16 January, 2010
Woo, I just (FINALLY) ran out of my trader joes laundry detergent and made this! I kept stirring until it was powderish, which I think kept it from turning to a solid block. There were some balls of solid stuff, so I threw it in the food processor just to be sure.
I am hoping that I can scrounge up enough dirty clothes to try it tomorrow once the current laundry has vacated the drying racks. :-)
Sayward
20 January, 2010
@ Jenny – So you learned firsthand the importance of constant stirring! Haha, sorry ’bout that, but it sounds like you made it work.
@ Brooke – It will turn into a brick if you don’t stir it nonstop. Kind of a pita I know, but it’s worth it! If you *do* get a brick, you can try a few different remedies: I’ve heard of people using a grater on it (see Jenny’s comment above yours), I’ve heard of people using a food processor to chop it up (see Meghan’s comment above this one), and me, I just used a sort of ‘chisel and crush’ method with a big metal spoon. It’s definitely still salvageable though. Good luck!
@ LisaMaddox – Wow, thanks for all the experimenting and tips. I’ll try our order of operations next time I make up a batch. =)
@ Meghan – Luck! Let me know how it goes!
VITA
6 February, 2010
Thank you for sharing such a cool ideas. I got tired of buying regular detergent and running out so quickly on top of it paying lots of money. I have started using natural products as much as I can at home…one step at a time. I was glad to find your site with a homemade detergent. The other once seemed complecated and required lots of time.
I made mine the other day and I love it. I didn’t have washing soda, so I added more soda and borox, to make in one cup. I used Dr.B’s Eucalyptus soap and I love the smell. The smell is not strong at all and the laundry comes ous so fresh and crisp. Mine came out kind of watery, I think because I didn’t use washing soda. Thanks again for your great tips.
I have even added your page to my blog for my friends.. I just started the blog….
angela
7 February, 2010
I love this site. I made a big batch–10 x the recipe– about a couple months ago. It’s still going strong and stayed well. It was a little too wet so I left the top off and it’s perfect. I love the results! My only issue is that our whites look a bit grey. Should I add more of something to whites? Thanks for any advice!!
Angela
Sayward
8 February, 2010
@ VITA – I’m so glad the detergent worked for you, and thanks for adding me!
@ angela – I hear you on the whites. There’s a couple of things you can try. The best is actually sunlight, so in the spring/summer make sure to line dry your whites outside to keep them nice and bright. For this time of year (assuming you’re in my hemisphere) I’d use lemon juice.
Fill your wash with hot water and add pure lemon juice, maybe a couple of tablespoons worth. Let it soak for an hour and then launder as normal. Should work to brighten them up! Luck!
Revisting a Green Lifestyle
10 February, 2010
[...] In the next couple weeks I will be making and trying her homemade dish soap, dishwasher soap, and laundry detergent. I will write about it then, and the [...]
Kendra
15 February, 2010
Every time I’ve made this, I’ve had to run it through the food processor to break up the huge chunks. What am I doing wrong? I’m loving how it works, but I’m frustrated w/the chunks.
Sayward
16 February, 2010
@ Kendra – Are you stirring it to completion, ie stirring it after all the ingredients are added? You need to *keep* stirring as it hardens up. It will always get harder and cake-ey, but mine ends up easy to crumple with the laundry scoop. That’s the consistency you should get.
If you read through the comments, people have experimented with the order of ingredients, and seem to have a lot of luck. You may want to try that as well. Luck!
Kateri
16 February, 2010
Hello,
I found your blog through Apartment Therapy and I just love it! I made up a batch of the laundry detergent the other day with Dr.Bronner’s almond scent. It’s fabulous!
AND on a side note, I have been poofree for over two years now! Hooray!
I might give you a mention on my blog if that’s ok with you?
Thanks so much for the recipes and lovely, inspiring blog!
magnolia
17 February, 2010
help! i’ve bought enough of the ingredients to last 3 life times. i made my first batch yesterday. i double the recipe. mixed it all up and put it in tupperware overnight. i just opened it up and it’s as hard as a rock. I had to scrap it with a large serving spoon just to get enough for my first load. please let me know what i might have done wrong. thank you so much!
Sayward
17 February, 2010
@ Kateri – I would love a mention on your blog! Thanks, and I’m so glad you like the blog. =)
@ magnolia – This is a common problem that comes, I think, from not stirring for long enough. The end result *will* be a sort of soft cake, but it should be easy to scrape apart/crumble. You should *not* end up with a brick! =D
You have a few options, according to my very resourceful readers. 1) food processor. 2) chisel! I suggest you read back through the comments to see how other people have dealt with this. But it’s still usable – so don’t toss it!
Luck!
Kenna
6 March, 2010
We are in the process of stirring, and stirring, and stirring… and resisting the urge to add more dry ingredients. How long do we have to keep stirring!!??
Kendra
22 March, 2010
This is working perfectly for me now. I neglected to re-read the directions after the first batch and wasn’t starting with the vinegar. I re-read them before the batch I made last week and it turned out perfectly when I followed your very simple, easy to follow directions. Who knew that reading the directions could be so helpful? Hahaha!
Jenny
29 March, 2010
Ah ha! For those of you with stand mixers that is the way to go. It keeps stirring while you remember to measure things. It’ll stay liquid for quite a while, then turn into pudding, then into popcorn looking chunks. Perfectumundo.
Jenny (of concrete and grater fame)
Teresa
5 April, 2010
Has anyone timed how long they stirred it? I’m using my Bosch and I’ve been stirring it forever and it’s just whipped and a grainy creamy firm mass. No popcorn, no inkling of powder. I let it rest for 6 minutes and it’s still the same consistency. Can you over stir?
Jenny
6 April, 2010
I’m guessing that I stirred the batch I made in my mixer for about 20 minutes or so. It seemed like a really really long time before it went from pudding to popcorn.
Teresa
6 April, 2010
Thanks Jenny, I think I mixed it at lease that long!
Ok, this is weird! I put my batch in the container still moist and thick – kind of like really thick, somewhat dry, icing or mashed potatoes. That was 24 plus hours ago. I opened it just now to see if it was a rock and it’s still the same!! What’s up with that? I know I used the correct proportions. It’s possible my baking soda was stale, I found the bag open when I used it. Any thoughts?
saundra
13 April, 2010
hello everyone i’ve been reading the blog for a few days now.. also looking for a detergent b/c my favorite brand of dishwasher detergent is no where to be found. but i was wondering has anyone tried soap nuts?? if you bing it or google it’s a berry that grows on a tree that you can use for your laundry any thoughts??? plus it’s supposed to be great on cloth diapers..
saundra
13 April, 2010
oh and also supposed to be good for HE washers…
kelly alice.
26 April, 2010
sayward, we made this last nite with some almond-scented castille. we’ve done two loads of laundry and love it already!
our only two “issues” were: 1) finding washing soda. after going to target and a major supermarket, we finally found it at our local food co-op. 2) “stirring til completion.” we stirred. and stirred. and stirred. we let it sit for a bit to “dry up.” then stirred some more. then we finally put it in our stand mixer. and let it mix and mix and mix. we let it sit overnight and only THEN did it finally turn into crumbly goodness. i think next time we will experiment with the order of adding ingredients as suggested in the comments.
nonetheless, thank you for this great idea!
Sayward
6 May, 2010
@ kelly alice – I don’t know if you’ll see this, but I’m curious – do you know the brand of the washing soda you got from your co-op? Was it by any chance in bulk? I’m searching for a washing soda source other than Arm & Hammer, and preferably in bulk. Thanks!
kelly alice.
10 May, 2010
hi sayward,
we got arm & hammer. it was the only option! and not in bulk. i was, however, very happy to find that our co-op carries dr. bronner’s in bulk.
a little bit of web searching and the only other brand i noticed was by dri-pak which contains no phosphates. i hope this helps!
Lynda
9 June, 2010
Hi Sayward – I found your blog while searching for homemade laundry detergent recipes and you have inspired me to try to make all of my cleaning supplies. I just love your blog! I made your laundry detergent about a month ago. I found that some was still lingering in the dispenser of my HE washer, so I set my bucket of detergent out in the sun to dry out some & then put it in my food processor to make a fine powder. Now I love it – thanks for the inspiration!
Sayward
11 June, 2010
@ Lynda – Aww, you’re welcome. And welcome to the blog! Hope to keep seeing you around. =)
Kendra
11 June, 2010
Now I’m having opposite problems with this recipe. I’ve been using it since December. The last four batches I’ve made have not turned out. My husband stirred one batch for 45 minutes, and it was still nothing but a paste. We made a 2nd batch and had the same problem. Since then, we purchased a new box of a better quality baking soda since that was the only difference, and we had the SAME problem. It’s laundry paste, and it’s not making as much either. It’s still working as a paste, but I’d rather it turn out the way it’s supposed to. Is our mid-western late spring/summer humidity just too much for the recipe?
Sayward
14 June, 2010
@ Kendra – Hmm, that’s strange. You know, it really might be the humidity that’s doing it. You could try adding more dry ingredients and seeing how that goes.
But also, have you played around with the order you add the ingredients? If you read through the comments, a couple people have had great luck with keeping a very specific order.
Luck!
Kristin
14 June, 2010
Awesome recipe! I’m expecting my 2nd baby boy in September and we’ve decided to do cloth this time. I’m using FuzziBunz diapers that have a PUL and they don’t recommend using vinegar to clean them as it can damage the PUL. Do you have a variation on this recipe that doesn’t contain vinegar? I’m also going to try charlies soap too… do you have any experience with that? And lastly, and suggestions as far as stain removal or pre-treating/soaking? Thanks so much!
Sayward
15 June, 2010
@ Kristin – Hmm, that’s interesting! I use FuzziBunz as well as other PUL diapers and totally use this recipe on them. So far no problems!
That said, I totally understand if you want to follow the manufacturers care instructions. I haven’t tried it, but I bet you could just replace the vinegar with water (use a little less water since the vinegar reacts into vapor in the recipe), or even 1/2 water 1/2 castile. There are enough other deodorizing/whitening/cleansing components in this recipe that I’m pretty sure you could get away with omitting the vinegar.
I haven’t tried Charlie’s soap but I’ve heard great things! If I did a storebought diaper soap, that’s the one I would try first.
The absolute best thing for stain removal, believe it or not, is sunlight! Seriously, if you can sun dry your diapers they will be stain-free. It’s crazy!
As for bulk, I’ve made a quadruple batch of this recipe which lasted me nearly 6 months, and it was fine. I’d say it’s definitely safe to make ahead.
Hope that helps!
Kristin
16 June, 2010
Thanks Sayward! I just mixed my first batch and altered it a bit. I used Dr. Bronners bar soap and grated it finely and left out the vinegar so I have a dry powder instead of a crumbly wet powder. I’ll let you know how it turns out :)
Lisa
22 June, 2010
Hey Sayward! Thanks for the great recipe. As soon as I can get my hands on some washing soda, I’m going to make it. Do you know if your recipe makes quite a bit of suds? From my understanding, that is the big no-no if you have a HE washer. Do you think I should just use less soap or is it already pretty tame?
Kory
25 June, 2010
Hello there you amazing lady you! I just wanted to let you know that I featured you on my blog today! Hope that’s okay!
Meghan
9 July, 2010
*panic!*
I am travelling and forgot my laundry detergent! Eeeek! I have baking soda and vinegar (for my hair) and a partial bar of castile soap… Can I wash my clothes?!?!
Sayward
11 July, 2010
@ Meghan – Ooh I hope this isn’t too late! But, I’d say yes, you could totally go for it. The borax and washing soda certainly boosts the cleaning power, but the bs vinegar and castile are the core of the recipe. Sorry I didn’t get this sooner!
Rachael
17 July, 2010
Love your blog! Just made my first batch-it went ok except I made the mistake of measuring the powders while I was stirring. NOT a good idea, I ended up with the rock at the bottom but salvaged most of it! I will definitely pre-measure and just pour while stirring next time. Can’t wait to use! I’ll probably link to this on my blog.
Jackie
11 August, 2010
Non-metal bowl, huh? Darn. Otherwise, I’d suggest using a stand mixer to stir (and stir and stir and stir). Just out of curiosity, what ill effect would a metal bowl have?
Sayward
12 August, 2010
@ Jackie – Metal can mess with the chemical reactions – it’s the same reason they tell you to mix your hair bleach in pastic/glass. But honestly it would probably be fine. You could always give it a try! (don’t say I didn’t warn you though!)
Selena
26 August, 2010
How long does this last(how many washes)?
amber
28 August, 2010
i cant wait to make this bread recipe sounds so good. i am going to try using flour instead of cormeal
114 Comments to Natural Homemade Laundry Detergent