If you want to save on laundry costs, you can make your own cheap detergent yourself. Homemade detergent will also wash your clothes well and be less toxic. Read on for how to make a laundry detergent or liquid detergent.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Making laundry detergent
Step 1. Pick your ingredients
An easy and inexpensive way to create laundry detergent involves the use of only three components:
- A bar of toilet soap. You can choose both flavored (with your favorite scent, for example, lavender or lemon) and odorless.
- A pack of baking soda. It can be purchased at hardware stores.
- Borax packaging. It is a natural mineral in powder form.
Step 2. Finely grate the soap
After that, there should be no large pieces left. The soap should be rubbed so finely that it can be easily mixed with other powders.
Step 3. Mix two parts baking soda and two parts borax
Do this in a bowl that you won't be using for food purposes. Mix the powders well with a spoon.
Step 4. Add one part of the grated soap
If you mixed 3 cups baking soda and 3 cups borax, add 1.5 cups of soap.
Step 5. Add baking soda or essential oils
This step is optional. Baking soda gives washed laundry freshness, and essential oils give a pleasant scent (a few drops are enough).
Step 6. Store powder in a closed plastic container along with a measuring cup
If you are going to do a very large wash, use a quarter cup of powder per wash. For smaller washings, use one-eighth of a cup.
Method 2 of 2: Making a liquid detergent
Step 1. Pick your ingredients
Liquid detergent requires the same ingredients, only this time water is added to it. Collect the following:
- Bar of toilet soap, scent or unscented
- A pack of baking soda
- Borax packaging
- Several liters of water
- Large 20 liter bucket
Step 2. Grate the soap
The soap should turn to powder without large lumps.
Step 3. Heat the soap in two liters of water
Place the soap and water in a saucepan over medium heat and stir as it warms up, stirring until the soap is completely dissolved in the water.
Step 4. Heat 18 liters of tap water
Heat water in a large container to a near boil and transfer to a 20 liter bucket when ready.
Step 5. Put in water and mix together a cup of baking soda and a cup of borax
Continue stirring until the powders are dissolved.
Step 6. Pour in and mix the soap solution
Step 7. Close the bucket with a lid and let it brew
The ingredients need to be infused overnight.
Step 8. Pour the detergent into containers
Keep a measuring cup nearby. For large washings use a full cup of liquid detergent, for small washings use half.