Homemade laundry powder
A laundry powder made from only two ingredients that you simply combine in a few seconds but will last you for months... until you make it again.
Making laundry detergent at home is much easier than you might think and works really great. If you've ever thought about making your own, definitely give it a try.
It's been a while since laundry powder and different fabric softeners became a huge trend and many producers compete in which product is the best, make the softest laundry and the most beautiful fragrant that stays on your clothes even month! Not only does this often leave you confused and unsure of what to use, but these products can also cause unpleasant skin irritation. Especially if they are used in larger quantities than they write on the packaging.
Skin irritation was also the case for me, which is why I became more interested in laundry detergents. My skin was constantly tense and itchy, and I was always wondering what could cause this. I have very sensitive skin and it was really uncomfortable for me. Changing laundry powders or fabric softeners didn't help so I finally tried making my own homemade laundry powder. Why not, I thought, let's give it a try. And I was immediately amazed! My skin calmed down and I was feeling great again after a long time!
What do you need for making your own laundry powder?
For making your own homemade laundry powder you need only two basic ingredients: washing soda and soap.
Washing soda, sodium carbonate (do not be confused with baking soda), is a white, odorless powder. It removes dirt and odors, disinfects clothes and improves the properties of soap. Sodium carbonate can be bought cheaply in bulk on the internet and will last for years if stored properly.
The second ingredient is a soap, preferably natural and toxic-free soap (olive or coconut soap is most commonly used). It can be in a form of a bar, which you grate on a fine grater, or in a form of soap flakes that are made especially for making homemade laundry powders and are easily available today.
Is this laundry powder suitable to use for people with sensitive skin and allergies?
Yes, this laundry powder detergent can also be used by people with sensitive skin and allergies. However, you have to tolerate washing soda, which can be aggressive for some people. I personally suffer with atopic eczema and I tolerate this powder absolutely without irritation. If you are hesitant, I recommend trying the powder first in smaller amount then I write in the instructions below.
Is this laundry powder suitable to use for babies´ clothes and cloth diapers?
When I had my first child, I started to think about what cleaning products to use in my home. And that's how I got into actually making homemade cleaning products. But before I tested all the products, I was a little bit scared of it. Especially with the laundry detergent. I knew it was suitable for me and my husband. But what about for the little baby? What about cloth diapers? It was recommended everywhere to use ready-made laundry detergents!
So I bought various laundry detergents and started testing them, and to my surprise I ended up with this homemade powder again! The baby had no irritations and cloth diapers didn't get damaged at all. So since then, I only use this homemade laundry powder, because I know it's best for me and my family.
Are there any disadvantages of using homemade laundry powder?
Actually, this homemade laundry powder has so many advantages such as low purchase price, lower ecological burden or that it is suitable for people with sensitive skin. However, I should mention that it does not bleach. The white color just comes off a bit over time. We don't really worry about it in our house, though, because we don't have that many white things. But if you have mostly white pieces in your wardrobe, you can consider it a disadvantage.
How to use this homemade laundry powder?
The amount of laundry powder that you need may vary according to the amount of clothes and soiling of the laundry. Use 1-2 tablespoons of the powder for the best results. However, a relatively small amount of powder is enough for a great cleaning effect. I definitely recommend starting with a smaller amount of powder and you can gradually increase as needed.
Can the laundry powder be used in hard water?
Yes, but the powder can dissolve not so easily in hard water, at which point it stays on the clothes and can be irritating for the skin. If you wash clothes in hard water, it's better to make a liquid laundry detergent, where the washing soda and soap are already dissolved.
for about 2 kg of laundry powder
Homemade laundry powder
Ingredients:
- 2 kg washing soda
200 g soap flakes or soap bar, grated
Instructions:
Mix the washing soda with the soap flakes or grated soap bar and place the mixture in an airtight container. Use 1-2 tbsp of powder per load of laundry (6 kg).
Warning! Take care not to inhale any airborne dust. Protect your mouth and nose with a mask or a cloth.
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