Have you ever glanced at the price tag of your favourite laundry detergent and winced? Or maybe you’ve wondered about the harsh chemicals hiding in those brightly coloured bottles. If so, you’re not alone. According to a recent industry report, the global laundry detergent market is expected to reach a staggering $31.4 billion by 2025! But what if there was a way to clean your clothes effectively, save money, and reduce your environmental impact? Welcome to the wonderful world of DIY homemade laundry detergent!
Making your own homemade laundry detergent is a surprisingly simple and rewarding experience. Not only will you save your budget, but you’ll also be taking control of the ingredients that touch your clothes and your home. Plus, partnering it with your go-to laundromats can save not only your budget but also your time! So, to learn more about DIY detergent, let’s jump on!
The Benefits of Making Your Own Laundry Detergent
Before we dive into knowing the homemade laundry detergent recipe and guide, let’s first understand several reasons why you should consider making your own laundry detergent:
- Cost-effective: Commercial laundry detergents can be expensive, especially for larger families who go through loads of laundry every week. On the other hand, DIY detergent helps you save money by using common household ingredients, which can significantly reduce your cleaning expenses.
- Eco-friendly: Many commercial detergents contain harsh chemicals and fragrances that can end up polluting our waterways. By making your own, you can choose natural ingredients that are gentler on the environment, which are also beneficial for your clothes in the long run.
- Customisation: Do you have sensitive skin that reacts to certain chemicals in detergents? DIY allows you to create a organic detergent free from irritating ingredients and customise it with gentle essential oils for a natural fragrance.
- Reduced Plastic Waste: Store-bought detergents like liquid and powdered laundry detergent come in bulky plastic containers that often end up in landfills. So, making your own reduces plastic consumption and promotes a more sustainable laundry routine.
How Long Does Homemade Laundry Detergent Last?
On average, the shelf life of your homemade detergent depends on the specific ingredients used. For example, castile soap, a common base, has a long shelf life on its own—up to two years. However, some essential oils can degrade over time, potentially shortening the lifespan of your detergent if added.
In addition, moisture is another enemy of homemade detergent! Just like some cookies get soft when exposed to air, your detergent can clump and lose effectiveness if it gets damp. Generally, a well-stored batch can last for several months, up to a year. To maximise its lifespan, store your detergent in a cool, dry place in an airtight container.
How to Make Homemade Laundry Detergent
Now that you understand better how homemade laundry detergent works, are you ready to ditch the store-bought stuff and embrace the power of DIY? Here’s a basic recipe to get you started:
Ingredients You Need for Homemade Laundry Detergent
- Washing Soda (1 cup): This natural water softener helps boost cleaning power and removes dirt.
- Baking Soda (1 cup): A natural deodoriser and softener that helps remove light stains and keeps clothes fresh.
- Castile Soap (½ cup, grated): Made from vegetable oils, castile soap is a gentle yet effective cleaning agent. Choose a scentless variety for sensitive skin.
- Borax (½ cup, optional): An optional ingredient that further enhances cleaning power and tackles tough stains. (Safety Note: Borax can irritate skin, so wear gloves when handling it.)
Step-by-step Guide for DIY Laundry Detergent
- Gather your ingredients and a large airtight container.
- Using a dry measuring cup, add the washing soda and baking soda to the container.
- Grate the castile bar soap with a cheese grater and add it to the dry ingredients.
- If using borax, carefully add it to the mixture while wearing gloves.
- Close the container tightly and shake vigorously to combine all the ingredients.
- Your homemade laundry detergent is ready to use!
Additional Tips:
- For a fresh scented laundry detergent, add a few drops of your favourite essential oil after mixing the dry ingredients.
- Start with a smaller batch to test the effectiveness on your clothes and adjust the recipe as needed.
- Use a tablespoon or two of your homemade detergent per load of laundry.
Embrace the Power of DIY (Kia Kaha!)
Making your own laundry detergent is a small change that can have a big impact. It’s a budget-friendly way to clean your clothes effectively, reduce your environmental footprint, and embrace a more DIY lifestyle. So why not give it a try? With a little creativity and these simple steps, you’ll be surprised at how easy and rewarding it can be!
One perfect partner of homemade laundry detergent is a state-of-the-art washing machine that can cater to heavy wash loads. With that in mind, we got your back! Liquid Laundromats have high-end heavy-loader washing machines that are ready to wash clothes. So, bring your homemade laundry detergent to one of our nearest locations and test how efficient you will be with this combination!