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In today’s world, more people are looking for ways to make their homes eco-friendly and free from harmful chemicals. Thankfully, we have a straightforward way to accomplish this by switching to homemade, non toxic laundry soap. This alternative is not only gentler on your skin and the environment but also cost-effective and easy to personalize. Now, let’s dive into how you can create your own laundry soap at home.
Benefits of Homemade Non-Toxic Laundry Soap
I’ve been making my own non toxic laundry soap for 4 years now, and my family loves it. It’s really simple to make, and there are several benefits to making your own. Firstly, it’s safer for you and the environment. Traditional laundry soaps and detergents contain chemicals that can be harmful to both your health and our planet. Making your own laundry soap will reduce your exposure to these chemicals. Secondly, it’s cost-effective, as the ingredients for this non toxic laundry soap are affordable and can be purchased in bulk. Thirdly, it’s effective at cleaning clothes and removing stains, leaving your laundry so fresh and so clean. Lastly, it’s ideal for sensitive skin, as it’s free from artificial fragrances and additives. Side note, check out this post next if you’re interested in making your own all-purpose natural lemon household cleaner.
Customizing Your Non-Toxic Laundry Soap
Adding fragrance to your non toxic laundry soap is completely optional. We use essential oils to scent our soaps. I don’t always go with the same scents either; I switch things up with each batch I make. Therefore, have fun personalizing and getting creative with the scents! Whether it’s lavender for relaxation, or lemon for its fresh and clean smell (or both), the choice is yours. Personally, I usually combine two scents, but you can go with 0, 1, 2, or even 3. Again, have fun with it and make it your own 🙂
Ingredients for Homemade Non Toxic Laundry Soap
1. Super Washing Soda (Sodium Carbonate): Acts as a water softener and stain remover.
2. Baking Soda: Enhances cleaning power and deodorizes.
3. Castile Bar Soap: A natural cleaning agent; I use Dr. Bronner’s or Kirk’s brand. You can also go with a coconut oil based soap.
4. Essential Oils of Choice (optional): For fragrance – think lavender, lemon, peppermint, bergamot, tea tree, frankincense, etc.
How to Make Homemade Non Toxic Laundry Soap
By Hand:
Step 1: Grate 1 bar of Castile soap using a cheese grater, and place the soap into an airtight container. A recycled plastic or glass container works perfectly.
Step 2: Add in 1 cup of baking soda, 2 cups of washing soda, and 50 drops of your essential oil(s) of choice, if using.
Step 3: Mix everything until well combined, and you’re done!
By Food Processor:
Step 1: Cut your bar of Castile soap into chunks, and add them to a food processor.
Step 2: Add 1 cup of baking soda to the food processor, and turn it on puree or the highest setting. Process for about 1 minute, or until the soap chunks transform into small bits. The reason I add baking soda before processing is because it helps the soap turn into small bits, and also prevents it from sticking to the blades.
Step 3. Place the baking soda and soap mixture into an airtight container. A recycled plastic or glass container works perfectly. Add in 2 cups of super washing soda and 50 drops of your essential oil(s) of choice, if using.
Step 4: Mix everything until well combined, and you’re done!
How to Use Non Toxic Laundry Soap
For each large load of laundry, use about 1/4 – 1/2 cup of the homemade soap.
Frequently Asked Questions
The soap dissolves best in warm or hot water, but it will still dissolve in cold water as long as you initially grate the bar of soap into thin, small pieces, or run it through the food processor long enough that the soap resembles coarse salt.
Yes, you can use the laundry soap in both front loaders and top loaders.
This soap can be used in an HE washer, as it is low foaming. Depending on the washer, you may need to wait to add the soap to the water while it passes through the soap dispenser.
Yes, you can.
Final Thoughts
Switching to homemade non toxic laundry soap is a small change that brings significant benefits. It’s healthier for you, better for the environment, and lighter on your wallet. Plus, you get the satisfaction of customizing the fragrance to your liking. Check out this post next if you’re interested in making your own all-purpose natural lemon household cleaner.
Homemade Non Toxic Laundry Soap Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Food Processor (optional, or cheese grater)
- 1 Airtight Container with Lid (a recycled plastic or glass container works perfectly)
Ingredients
- 1 Bar Castile Soap (can also use a coconut oil based soap)
- 1 Cup Baking Soda
- 2 Cups Super Washing Soda
- 50 Drops Essential Oil(s) of Choice (optional, see notes for suggestions)
Instructions
By Hand:
- Grate 1 bar of Castile soap using a cheese grater, and place the soap into an airtight container. A recycled plastic or glass container works perfectly.
- Add in 1 cup of baking soda, 2 cups of washing soda, and 50 drops of your essential oil(s) of choice, if using.
- Mix everything until well combined.
By Food Processor:
- Cut your bar of Castile soap into chunks, and add them to a food processor.
- Add 1 cup of baking soda to the food processor, and turn it on puree or the highest setting. Process for about 1 minute, or until the soap chunks transform into small bits.
- Place the baking soda and soap mixture into an airtight container. Add in 2 cups of super washing soda and 50 drops of your essential oil(s) of choice, if using.
- Mix everything until well combined.
Notes
- For each large load of laundry, use about 1/4 - 1/2 cup of the homemade soap.
- The reason I add baking soda to the food processor with the bar soap is because it helps the soap turn into small bits, and also prevents it from sticking to the blades.
- Some Castile soap bars already come with fragrance, like the one I used in this recipe (lavender), but some don't. Either way, using essential oils is optional. The fragrances I like to use are lavender, lemon, peppermint, bergamot, tea tree, or frankincense. I usually combine 2 or 3 oils in one batch, totaling 50 drops.
- The soap dissolves best in warm or hot water, but it will still dissolve in cold water as long as you initially grate the bar of soap into thin, small pieces, or run it through the food processor long enough that the soap resembles coarse salt.
- You can use the laundry soap in both front loaders and top loaders.
- This soap can be used in an HE washer, as it is low foaming. Depending on the washer, you may need to wait to add the soap to the water while it passes through the soap dispenser.
