Lexi Webster
Making your own laundry liquid is a great way to save money and avoid the harmful chemicals and artificial fragrances often found in commercial detergents. Homemade laundry liquid is also more environmentally friendly, reducing plastic waste and allowing you to control the ingredients used. In Australia, you can make your own laundry liquid using simple, natural ingredients like grated soap, washing soda, vinegar, and essential oils. This cost-effective approach ensures clean clothes without exposing your family to unwanted dyes or harsh chemicals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost | Homemade laundry liquid is inexpensive and can cost less than 30 cents per litre. |
| Ingredients | Grated bar soap, water, Lectric Washing Soda, essential oils, and borax (optional). |
| Process | Grate the soap into a pot, cover with water, and simmer over medium heat until melted. Pour into a bucket, add the remaining ingredients, and stir. Let it sit overnight to gel. |
| Usage | For top loader machines, use one cup per load. For front loaders, use half a cup per load. |
| Benefits | Eco-friendly, customisable, avoids harsh chemicals and artificial fragrances, and reduces plastic waste. |
| Variations | Some recipes omit borax and vinegar, while others include bi-carb, liquid castile soap, or eucalyptus oil. |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing ingredients
Homemade laundry liquid is a great way to save money, control the ingredients that come into contact with your skin, and reduce your environmental impact.
When choosing ingredients for your homemade laundry liquid, you can opt for basic ingredients or add regional favourites. The choice is yours!
A good place to start is with a grated bar of soap. You can grate the soap directly into the washing machine before each load, or into a large pot or bucket. Sunlight bar soap is an amazing stain remover, but any cheap laundry soap will do the trick. You can also use liquid castile soap, which is available in Australia.
Next, add washing soda. This acts as a natural laundry detergent and softens water, making the soap more effective. You can buy it in the supermarket or make your own by baking baking soda.
Borax is another common ingredient in homemade laundry liquid. It helps the soap to clean, especially in hard water. However, it is not suitable for septic systems or if you're recycling greywater onto your garden.
You can also add vinegar to the rinse cycle to soften fabrics.
If you want to add fragrance to your laundry liquid, include some essential oils. Eucalyptus oil is a popular choice in Australia.
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Mixing and melting
To begin the process of making laundry liquid, grate a bar of soap into a pot. The type of soap used can vary depending on your preferences and budget. Some sources suggest using a Castile soap bar, while others recommend Sunlight bar soap for its stain-removing abilities. Cover the grated soap with water and simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until all the soap has melted.
Next, pour the mixture into a large bucket (approximately 20-25 litres). At this stage, you can add in other ingredients such as Lectric Washing Soda, lavender oil, and Borax (optional). Stir the mixture well to combine all the ingredients.
Add enough very hot water to fill the bucket, and continue stirring. It is important to stir the mixture often as it cools down to ensure that the ingredients do not separate. You can use any long stick or spoon for stirring.
Let the mixture sit overnight to gel. It will start to thicken, and you should give it an occasional stir during this process. The final consistency may vary depending on the ambient temperature, ranging from a liquid to a thick, paste-like form.
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Adding fragrance
Choosing a Fragrance
When choosing a fragrance, opt for pure essential oils that are of high quality. Fragrance oils that are safe for use in bath and body products, such as soap, are ideal. Avoid oils with additives as they may cause stains or discolouration to your laundry. You can find fragrance oils on Amazon or at specialty stores. It is important to exercise caution when using essential oils, as they are highly concentrated and can irritate the skin if too much is used.
Once your homemade laundry liquid has cooled, you can add your chosen fragrance. For a single scent, add about 10 full droppers or 1 ounce of essential oil to the entire bucket of laundry liquid and stir well. If you prefer, you can divide your laundry liquid into smaller containers and create multiple scents. Simply add a few drops of essential oil to each container, such as lavender for a soothing scent or eucalyptus for a fresh and antibacterial boost.
If you are using an unscented washing powder, add the essential oils directly into the washing machine after it has filled up with water. This helps to dilute the oils and prevents them from staining delicate fabrics. For an unscented liquid laundry detergent, add 20-30 drops of essential oil to the full container and shake well before adding your usual amount of detergent to the machine.
Fragrance Strength
The fragrance load in fabric care products is typically around 0.2%-1%. However, you may need to adjust the strength depending on the type of fragrance you are using and the desired intensity. It is important to test your fragrance by washing and drying a small load to see how the scent performs and blooms as it dries. The heat from the dryer can impact the fragrance, so you may need to tailor your scent accordingly.
Alternative Fragrance Options
Instead of adding fragrance directly to your laundry liquid, you can explore other options such as purchasing unscented fabric softener and adding your chosen fragrance oil to it. You can also make a linen spray by mixing fragrance oil with water and spraying it onto your laundry. Drawer sachets filled with scented herbs or potpourri are another traditional way to add fragrance to your laundry.
Remember to always do your research and be cautious when mixing fragrances with laundry detergents, as some combinations may be unsafe or cause unwanted reactions. Enjoy experimenting with different scents to create a pleasant and personalised washing experience!
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Storage
When it comes to storing your homemade laundry liquid, there are a few important considerations to keep in mind to maintain its quality and effectiveness. Here are some detailed instructions for storing your laundry liquid:
Container Choice: Opt for airtight containers made of glass or plastic. Glass is preferable due to its non-porous nature, which prevents the absorption of odours or chemicals. However, if you choose plastic, ensure it's a type that's known for its durability and lack of chemical leaching, such as HDPE or PET plastic.
Container Size: Choose containers that are slightly larger than the volume of laundry liquid you've made. This allows for expansion if your detergent expands upon freezing. Leave a bit of headspace to accommodate this potential expansion.
Labelling: Clearly label your containers with the contents and the date of creation. This helps you keep track of how old your detergent is and ensures you use it within a reasonable timeframe. You can use a marker or a printed label for clear identification.
Shelf Life: The shelf life of your homemade laundry liquid is approximately 6-12 months. The exact duration depends on the ingredients used and storage conditions. Natural ingredients tend to have shorter shelf lives, so be mindful of that when adding essential oils or other organic additives.
Consistency Check: Before each use, gently agitate or shake your laundry liquid to ensure the ingredients are well-combined. This is especially important if your detergent has been stored for a while, as some separation may occur over time.
By following these storage guidelines, you can ensure that your homemade laundry liquid remains effective and usable for an extended period. These practices will also help maintain the quality of your detergent, allowing you to get the most out of your DIY creation.
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Using the laundry liquid
When using your homemade laundry liquid, there are a few things to keep in mind to get the best results. Firstly, it is important to use the correct amount of detergent for your laundry load. For a top loader, use one cup of laundry liquid per load, and for a front loader, use half a cup per load. If you are handwashing, use two tablespoons of laundry liquid in a tub of warm or cold water, ensuring that the detergent is fully dissolved before adding your clothes.
To avoid staining, it is recommended to avoid pouring the laundry liquid directly onto your clothes. Instead, start by filling your washer with water, then add the measured amount of laundry liquid and mix it around before adding your clothes. If you are using bleach, add it at this stage, being mindful that you should only use bleach on loads where all items are bleach-safe.
If you are pre-treating stains, you can apply a small amount of laundry liquid directly to the fabric and gently rub it in. Always follow the dosing guide on the packaging to ensure you are using the correct amount, and be sure to wipe up any spills or drips. It is also important to not overfill or underfill your washing machine. Leave enough room for your clothes to move freely, and select an appropriate wash cycle based on the spin cycle, duration, and speed.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need grated soap, water, Lectric Washing Soda, and a large bucket. You can also add essential oils like lavender oil or eucalyptus oil for fragrance.
First, grate a bar of soap into a pot and cover it with water. Simmer over medium heat and stir until the soap is melted. Pour the mixture into a large bucket and add Lectric Washing Soda and your choice of essential oil. Add very hot water and stir the mixture until it cools down. Let it sit overnight to gel.
For a top loader, use one cup of laundry liquid per load. For a front loader, use half a cup per load.
You can buy soap, washing soda, and essential oils at your local supermarket or grocery store. You can also find borax at Bunnings Warehouse.
