How little we know about laundry products that line the supermarket shelves. Companies can roll out new chemicals and products with very to little testing and virtually no regulation.
We do not really have any knowledge or control over the chemicals that could ultimately rub up against our private parts! So, my solution was to make all my own laundry products!
This way I am in control over the ingredients and not reliant on single use products and packaging. Plus, I have a system that is just as effective as the store-bought stuff, only greener!
Let me show how simple this system is to implement in your home.
1. Make your own laundry powder
It takes me around 30 seconds to make 750g of Laundry Powder, which is about 30 small loads! There are no hard and fast rules around the quantities, but I found this recipe works best for me.
- 1 cup Washing Soda (approx. 250g)
- 1 cup Coconut Soap Flakes/ Grated Soap (approx. 150g)
- ½ cup Borax (approx. 100g)
- ¾ cup Bicarb (approx. 185g)
- ¼ cup Sodium Percarbonate (approx. 65g)
NB: you can get the ingredients HERE
The bulk of the ingredients are Washing Soda, Borax and Bicarb which clean, degrease, whiten and soften water. It has an inbuilt stain remover with the Percarbonate, and the soap flakes act as the surfactant which traps and suspends the dirt.
These ingredients are septic safe, eco-friendly, vegan friendly, biodegradable and much better than the super synthetic lab produced chemicals you find in commercial equivalents.
If you prefer laundry liquid or wash in cold water, I suggest diluting the powder in hot water before adding to your washing machine or check out the Laundry Butter Cleaning Paste recipe.
NOTE: As this powder is powerful, do not use on wool, silk or delicate fabrics. Always follow the care label on our clothing.
2. Ditch Commercial Fabric Softeners
The store-bought stuff is slimy, full of artificial fragrance and can damage your clothes. There is no need for it with this natural and science based solution.
You are likely to be familiar with vinegar as a fabric softener solution, but there is an even cheaper and better alternative - Citric Acid.
Citric acid and vinegar have roughly the same pH and acidity. A teaspoon of Citric Acid along with some essential oils and you have an awesome, cheap and very effective fabric softener.
It is much easier to store, a 750g jar would be equivalent to 70 litres of vinegar and can yield 70 plus loads.
The thing that leaves your socks stiff and towels like sandpaper is left over detergent/soap scum in the clothing. The vinegar acts to neutralise and remove these leftovers which results in a softer and fresher wash.
3. Get the key ingredients in laundry soakers
Sodium Percarbonate is my go-to for soaking whites, stains, tea towels or items that need some heavy duty cleaning.
It is an Oxybleach that is made from Washing Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide. When it is activated in hot water it releases the power of both ingredients.
It is the key active ingredient found in laundry soakers like Napisan, however you don't have the added fillers.
4. Just use soap
For delicate items, I use liquid Castile Soap that I have fragranced with essential oils like Eucalyptus. I add approx. ¼ cup to a delicate load (which is my version of hand washing 😊)
