Limiting toxin exposure for my family has been a long road. I wrestled with myself over baby steps like switching from Tide to Kirkland Signature Free and Clear. Until inflation took the wheel for me. It was becoming too expensive to purchase more ethically produced products. Also greenwashing. I’m a problem solver so I set myself upon varying methodologies of homemade laundry detergent until I found something that worked and felt like a safer choice for my family.
No Fels-Naptha For Me
This recipe does NOT contain Fels-Naptha. Why not, you ask? After all it may be one of the more common choices for homemade laundry detergent. There is a general lack of data on the safety of the product itself and a few of the ingredients are questionable, for me. Such as artificial dye. Why do we need artificial dye?! This is a common additive that will cause me to immediately pass over an option and search for something more suitable.
I’m not saying my choice, is the only choice. I would never presume what I prefer is the only way that it should be. Many people/families have chosen Fels Naptha for ages, for themselves and it works well.
Chosen Ingredients
- Castile liquid soap – Castile soap making goes back hundreds of years. Something about that is reassuring to me. There weren’t a ton of man made chemicals to supplement for efficiency back then. It is a method using primarily plant based oils, most often olive or coconut. Know what our skin loves? Oil. As a matter of fact I do not use any form of lotion, we strictly use oils. The most widely know version of Castile is Dr. Bronner’s. I do use an alternative that I source from Amazon called Whole Naturals that has worked well, also.
- Borax – Borax is interesting. It is used as a laundry “booster” usually to help remove some of the more stubborn stains. Another interesting fact, it is often used as a less toxic option in pest control. I’ve never seen any other brand than 20 Mule Team. While Borax is NOT non-toxic, I approach this from I control the quantity standpoint. Meaning, I find reassurance in the fact that I can limit the quantity used to only 1/2 a cup per 2 gallons. Lord knows how much of anything goes into the plastic bottles on the grocery store shelves.
- Washing Soda – Arm & Hammer Washing Soda (NOT baking soda) has only 1 ingredient, sodium carbonate and it is relatively harmless. Can’t say that for much these days.
- Essential Oils – The safest scent is unscented! There is some recent debate of the safety or sustainability of essential oils. I’ll be honest it is not something I have delved into. I know that they are easily a safer choice than artificial fragrance and I do not wish to live a life void of the good smells. I try to choose/use oils that use sustainable organics, such as peppermint. The stuff grows wild to the point of being invasive. There are many options to choose from. For my laundry, I use peppermint and lavender. I use both of these as they are also bug deterrents. Having these oils in my laundry detergent and also on my wool balls for the dryer, has proven effective in warding off mosquitoes and ticks. Being Naturals is a brand offered on Amazon that offers larger than typical sizes in 4 ounce glass bottles and is organic.
Let's Get Started!
First thing is to assemble all the equipment and ingredients near your kitchen sink. Make sure you have all food put away, first. Kitchen sink also needs to be clean and empty…I know that may be the hardest part of this process!
Materials:
- 2 gallon food safe bucket (may be purchased at a home improvement store like Lowe’s or Home Depot)
- 1 cup measuring cup (it will need to remain with the detergent for measuring out detergent)
- 1 wooden spoon or stainless steel cooking utensil
Next, place the empty (lid off) bucket in the sink and add a 1/2 cup of washing soda and a 1/2 cup of borax. While doing so move the faucet away from the bucket and let the water run on the highest temperature (this will help dissolve the powder).
*Be careful not to run your hands under the water at this setting.*
With the powder ingredients in the bucket and the water running, hot as hell, move the faucet to fill into the bucket about 1/4 of the way. Promptly, turn off the water. Reset the faucet handle so it will be at a more comfortable water temp the next time it is turned on, to avoid a surprise burn.
Next, vigorously stir the water and contents for about 2 minutes to help the powder dissolve.
This is going quickly!!! You’re almost done!
Now, it’s time to measure 1 cup of the liquid castile soap and empty it into the bucket. Add 3 to 4 droppers of your choice of essential oils. Heck you may have fun experimenting with different scent combos. Just make sure it isn’t anything, anyone in your family may be sensitive to. Lastly, with the lukewarm water, fill the rest of the bucket, gently stirring the solution together.
That's It!
Now, to put a bow on it ’cause we’re done! So easy!
Now, it’s basically all cleanup. Remove your wooden spoon, and rinse it and the measuring cup so they are ready to go for laundry time. The bucket lid doesn’t have to be sealed but it’s nice to have it handy to avoid sloshing or prevent some evaporation. So I choose to leave it loosely sitting atop the bucket at all times.
Supplies may be stored away with other household cleaners. I keep the essential oils handy to also use on my wool balls in the drying cycle.
Washing Time
- Load your clothes washer.
- Using wooden spoon (keep it with the detergent) stir the detergent gently. The settling is normal and regular stirring is required. Remember this is avoided in store bought detergent with the addition of harmful chemicals. There is a trade.
- Measure 1/2 to 1 cup of detergent to add to your wash cycle. Use your best judgement based on the load size and soiling.
- Add 1/2 cup of white vinegar (super cheap at Costco) to the fabric softener location. Vinegar reaps the same results without the chemical exposure and is much cheaper. There will be no lingering vinegar scent.
- For heavier staining and whites, you may opt to add some additional borax or a chlorine free bleach. On very rare occasions, I do so, myself.
- Run the cycle
- For dryer time, I throw 3 or 4 wool balls in that have a small dose of peppermint on them.
Try Something New
Trying new things can be daunting. Do not give into a life less lived due to complacency. You can do this.
If you are afraid of change, this very well could be the easiest place to start. You may find overcoming that fear is a bit addictive and confidence building. It may lead to other new things until your life someday looks completely different.
Just think, 5 minutes to keeping your family safe and also warding off all the pesky bugs too! Don’t wait another day. Start your journey here.
*This is not health/medical advice. Always seek out the advice of a medical professional before making any changes.*
Castille Soap Liquid Laundry Detergent
Equipment
- 1 2 gallon food safe storage container
- 1 1 cup, measuring cup
- 1 wooden spoon
Materials
- 1/2 cup washing soda (not baking soda)
- 1/2 cup borax
- 1 cup liquid castile soap
- 2 to 4 droppers essential oils of choice I use lavender and peppermint
Instructions
- 1. Assemble the equipment and materials near the kitchen sink and away from any food. 2. Place the 2 gallon bucket, with the lid removed, in the empty sink.3. Add 1/2 cup of washing soda and 1/2 cup of borax to the empty bucket.4. Position the faucet head away from the bucket and turn it on the highest heat to warm. Take caution not to run your hands under the water to avoid scolding.5. Once warm, move the faucet so that the bucket fills approximately 1/4 of the way then turn the water off. 6. Using the wooden spoon, very briskly stir the water, borax and washing soda to allow the powder to dissolve. The water will become cloudy in appearance.7. Fill the remaining space with lukewarm temperature water from the faucet.8. Add 1 cup of the liquid castile soap and desired essential oils to the bucket and stir once more.9. Once the lid is positioned on, move the bucket to an accessible area in you laundry room for use.10. Use 1/2 cup to 1 cup per load, depending on soiling and load size. Add 1/2 cup of vinegar in place of fabric softener. 11. Stir before each use.
Notes
- Keep the measuring cup and wooden spoon handy, near the detergent. You will want to stir the detergent before each use.
- After 2 to 3 days you will begin to notice that the detergent is thickening, similarly to store bought detergent. Continue to stir before each use.
