How to Make Biodegradable Laundry Detergent

Make your home less toxic with green laundry detergent.

The growing movement toward eco-friendly homes recognizes the need for cleaning products that are safe for the environment. A number of biodegradable, Earth-friendly cleaning products, such as laundry detergent, are available for purchase. These may be pricier than non-biodegradable products. Give your wallet a break and make your home greener at the same time by making your own biodegradable laundry detergent. You can try a few formulas, including a pre-wash stain treatment. You may even five the detergent a fragrance with essential oils, if you wish.

Things You'll Need

• Baking soda
• Mixing bowl
• White vinegar
• Whisk
• Spray bottle
• Washing soda
• Borax
• Laundry soap
• Glycerine soap flakes
• Castile soap
• Essential oil

Instructions

Pre-Wash Spray for Stains

1. Pour ¼ cup baking soda in a mixing bowl. Add ½ cup distilled white vinegar.

2. Add 3 cups regular tap water.

3. Whisk ingredients together until blended.

4. Pour mixture into a clean spray bottle. Spritz the mixture on stains before laundering your clothes.

Laundry Detergent

1. Pour ½ cup washing soda in a mixing bowl.

2. Add ½ cup borax and 1 cup of mild, powdered laundry soap.

3. Whisk the ingredients until blended.

4. Use 1 tbsp. of this mixture for light loads of laundry, or 2 tbsp. for heavier loads.

Simple Washing Powder

1. Pour 8 cups baking soda into a large bowl. Add 6 cups borax.

2. Add 4 cups of glycerine soap flakes. Alternatively, grate the same amount of flakes from a bar of castile soap.

3. Add 1 ½ tbsp. of your preferred essential oil. "Natural Home" recommends lemon, lavender or even grapefruit scents.

4. Whisk ingredients together until well-blended.

5. Add 1/8 cup of the mixture to each load of laundry.

References

• Natural Home: Love Your Laundry: Homemade Laundry Detergents
• Eartheasy: Non-Toxic Home Cleaning

Resources

• Science In-the-Box: Biodegradation: Understanding the Role of Bacteria