Laundry detergent is so expensive these days. It is also generally a mystery as to what is actually in the mixture…
Today I’m sharing the DIY eco-friendly super easy laundry detergent I have been making (and using) for years. It is made with three ingredients. Borax, Super Washing Soda, Dawn Dish Soap.
Here is a little more information on each of the ingredients:
Borax – Borax is a powdery white substance, also known as sodium borate. It’s widely used as a household cleaner and a booster for laundry detergent. It’s a combination of boron, sodium, and oxygen. Borax is often found in dry lake beds in places like California’s Death Valley, where the water evaporated and left behind deposits of minerals.
Super Washing Soda – A powdery white substance composed of sodium carbonate, made by the Arm & Hammer company, and all natural, since 1874. It is a natural detergent booster that is 100% fragrance and phosphate free.
Dawn Dish Soap – We all know about Dawn’s commitment to the environment (we know about them helping animals after tragic oil spills), while also providing safe and effective products. If you want to see a full list of the ingredients used in Dawn products, simply click here to learn more. Growing up, we always kept a small bottle of Dawn in the laundry room to treat oil stains on clothes.
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DIY Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent Recipe
Disclaimer: While the ingredients in his laundry detergent recipe are eco-friendly, they are not for consumption. If ingested, they are likely to cause nausea, and or diarrhea, or other unpleasant side effects. (Ingested in large quantities, they could lead to kidney failure.) For those tempted by Tide Pods, resist the temptation of guzzling this recipe and go for a Dr. Pepper instead.
Ingredients:
3 TBS Borax
3 TBS Super Washing Soda
2 TBS Dawn Dish Soap
Direction:
Put ingredients into a gallon jug.
Pour in 4 cups of boiling water. Swirl until the ingredients have dissolved, then let cool.
Fill the remainder of the jug with cold water.
Use 3 ounces of detergent per load of laundry (or more as needed based on how soiled the clothes may be).
NOTES:
– I like to reuse/recycle so I had an old jug of All liquid laundry detergent that I had used before making the switch to homemade detergent years ago. Any gallon container will work, but I personally prefer one with a spout for easy decanting. If you want something prettier, a lovely beverage dispenser with a spigot could be a cute option.
– This is a low sudsing formula, so it is a septic safe option.