Summary

Step 1: Prepare and dose

Step 2: Make the mixture

Step 3: Mix the mixture

Step 4: Improve the performance of your homemade detergent

Laundry detergent is one of the essential items in our daily lives, but it is often not synonymous with economy and ecology. This recipe will allow you to make your detergent at a lower cost while controlling its composition and environmental impact.

The two essential ingredients are artisanal soaps and soda crystals that will prevent the formation of lime precipitate and facilitate the action of soap on the laundry.

Here is a recipe for fabricating your natural laundry.

1. Prepare and dose

First and as for any home preparation:

Ensure your utensils, containers, and work surfaces are perfectly clean.

Wash your hands carefully between each manipulation.

Measure out:

• 150 g of soap flakes (preferably organic) or well grated (Marseille soap or Aleppo soap);
• 2.8 l of water (1.5 l in the pan + 1.3 l in a container);
• 120 g of soda crystals (in the laundry section of your supermarket).

2. Make the preparation

Boil 1.5 l of water in a saucepan.

Pour the soap flakes into the second pot.

Pour the soda crystals and about 500 ml of boiled water into a container.

Pour the remaining 1 liter of boiled water over the soap flakes.

Let the flake/water mixture cook over low heat while stirring for 5 to 10 minutes.

Remove the mixture from the heat and let it cool.

3. Blend the mixture

When the glitter/water mixture is warm, add the soda crystal/water mixture.

Mix well.

Add the remaining 1.3 liters of cold water.

Mix, then blend with a hand blender.

Let stand for 5-10 hours, occasionally mixing (this will prevent your lye from solidifying).

Tip: The easiest way is to prepare your lye in the evening by mixing it 2 to 3 times. Let it sit overnight and remix it in the morning before putting it in the bottle.

Pour into the bottle.

To use your detergent: fill a laundry ball and place it in the middle of the laundry, or pour the equivalent of a mustard glass into the detergent dispenser.

Tip: For energy-saving reasons, low-temperature washes are often preferred, however, washes at 60°C and above are very useful for the maintenance of your washing machine. They allow you to clean the pipes, which are likely to clog and clog, especially with the use of this homemade detergent which is very dense. To prolong the life of your machine, don’t forget to descale it every 2 to 3 months by pouring 1 l of white vinegar into the detergent dispenser and starting a program at 90°C.

4. Improve the performance of your homemade detergent

This homemade detergent is economical and ecological and contains far fewer surfactants and stain removers, making industrial detergents so effective on heavily soiled laundry.

However, you can improve the effectiveness of your detergent by following these tips:

Always treat stains before washing! Once cooked (washing at 40°C or higher), the stain will be fixed. To do this:

Rub the stain with a wet Marseille soap.

Let it act for at least ½ hour and rinse before placing it in the machine.

Softener: Pour 5 to 6 tablespoons of white vinegar into the fabric softener pan. The vinegar plays this role perfectly, and your laundry will not retain the smell.

Stain remover:

Colored laundry: add 2 tablespoons of baking soda ( from $2, 20 per 250 g).

White laundry: add 1 tablespoon of percarbonate of soda (from $2.90 per 500 g).

Place washing balls (or tennis balls) in the machine’s drum; these will have a mechanical action that will facilitate the penetration of the detergent in the fabrics.

Note: Ox gall soap is also an excellent pre-wash stain remover and can easily be found in organic stores.

Materials needed to make your laundry detergent

Soap

Soda crystals

Saucepan

Plastic canister

Container

Hand blender