Why Homemade Laundry Soap is a Great Alternative to Store-Bought Soaps

When it comes to keeping our clothes fresh and clean, most of us reach for a bottle of store-bought laundry detergent without thinking twice. However, in recent years, many people have begun to explore the benefits of making their own laundry soap at home. If you haven’t considered it yet, here are several reasons why homemade laundry soap is an excellent alternative to the chemical-laden, store-bought variety.

Cost-Effective

One of the most compelling reasons to switch to homemade laundry soap is the cost. Store-bought detergents can be expensive, especially if you’re buying eco-friendly or natural options. By making your own soap, you can create large batches for a fraction of the price. Common ingredients like washing soda, borax, and bar soap are affordable and can be used in many different recipes. This means significant savings in the long run, all while giving your family the same (or better) cleaning power.

 Eco-Friendly

Many commercial laundry detergents are packed with synthetic chemicals, plastic packaging, and unnecessary fillers. These chemicals can be harmful to the environment, contaminating water systems and affecting aquatic life. Homemade laundry soap, on the other hand, allows you to control the ingredients, and most recipes use eco-friendly, biodegradable materials that are far less damaging to the planet. Furthermore, you can make your own soap in reusable containers, cutting down on waste.

Chemical-Free

Store-bought laundry detergents often contain harsh chemicals, fragrances, and preservatives that can irritate sensitive skin. For those with allergies, eczema, or other skin conditions, these chemicals can cause reactions. Homemade laundry soap eliminates the need for these irritants, allowing you to customize your soap to suit your needs. You can choose natural ingredients like castile soap, baking soda, and essential oils, which are gentler on the skin, especially for babies or those with sensitivities.

 Customizable Scent

One of the great joys of making your own laundry soap is the ability to control the scent. If you enjoy a fresh, floral fragrance, you can add your favorite essential oils to your soap. Whether you prefer lavender, eucalyptus, or citrus, you can mix and match scents to create a custom fragrance profile that suits your preferences. 5. Gentle Yet Effective Cleaning

Most laundry detergents come in large plastic bottles that end up in landfills. Even when you try to recycle them, not all plastic is recyclable or can be processed. When you make your own detergent, you can use reusable containers, reducing the amount of plastic waste you produce. Some even opt for storing their soap in glass jars or other eco-friendly containers, contributing to a zero-waste lifestyle.

Control Over Ingredients

Homemade laundry soap allows you to have complete control over what goes into the product. If you have concerns about specific chemicals or ingredients that you’ve found in store-bought products, making your own soap lets you choose exactly what goes in. It also allows you to avoid fragrances, dyes, and other unnecessary additives that are often present in commercial detergents. 

No Animal Testing

If you’re concerned about animal cruelty, many store-bought detergents are tested on animals, especially when it comes to new formulations. Most homemade laundry soaps, especially if you choose cruelty-free ingredients, do not involve animal testing, giving you an ethical and compassionate option for keeping your clothes clean.

Simple and Fun to Make

Making your own laundry soap is a surprisingly simple and fun project. With just a few ingredients and some basic kitchen tools, you can mix up a batch in no time. Many people find the process to be therapeutic and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing they’ve created a safe, effective product from scratch. Plus, it’s a great way to involve the kids in a homemade project and teach them about sustainability.

Ingredients For Homemade Laundry Soap Recipe

• Baking Soda

• Super Washing Soda

• Borax

• Castille Soap Bars

• Essential Oil (optional)

Supplies

• Box Grater

• Food Processor,

• 5-gallon bucket with twist-off lid

• 1-gallon glass storage jar with lid

• Chalk Labels and Chalk Pen (to label)

• Wool dryer balls 

How To Make Homemade Laundry Detergent

1. First, grate 2 bars of Castile soap of your choice with a box grater or food processor. I prefer to use my food processor to really speed the process up. I’ve had my food processor for 4 years already and I literally use it for everything. You’ll need 2 bars per batch. I usually make a 5 gallon bucket of laundry detergent at a time, so I grate 6 bars of soap at a time.

2. Next, Measure out 3 cups of  hammer baking soda, 3 cups of Borax and 3 cups of arm and hammer baking soda and add them to whatever container you’ll be storing your detergent in.

3. Add in the 2 bars of grated castile soap.

4. After all the dry ingredients are in your bucket, add 30-40 drops (or to your desired scent tolerance) of essential oil of your choice. Again, this is optional. You can also use scented castile soap. Rocky Mountain oils has quite a few scents such as lavender, Citrus, almond, rose, and peppermint and more.

5. Slowly incorporate all the ingredients together, making sure that essential oil is thoroughly mixed in.

6. If you mixed your soap in a bucket, pour powdered laundry detergent into a storage jar.

7. Label Jar with reusable chalk labels and chalk pen as well as a larger storage container if you’re making a large batch.

Variation

I know lots of people that prefer liquid laundry soap. I use to be one of them. On occasion I still do. So here’s a variation for liquid laundry soap as promised.

1.  Add 1/2 gallon of water to your 5-gallon bucket.  Stir in 1 cup of borax and 1/2 cup of washing soda.

2. Shred 1 castile soap bar with the cheese grater. Melt soap shreds in 1 cup of water over medium heat. Stir often.

3. Add melted soap to the bucket and stir well.

4.  Add 30 to 50 drops of the essential oil of choice.

5. Fill the bucket the rest of the way with water.  Stir until all ingredients are well combined.

6. Let it sit overnight and then shake the bucket really well.

NOTES: I like to pour the detergent in a 1/2 gallon jar to make use easier. You can also store it in old laundry soap containers. Shake well before each use.  Use 1/2 cup of detergent per load.

Natural Fabric Softener

• Add 1/2 to 1 cup distilled white vinegar to loads of laundry. This will work as a fabric softener so chemical fabric softeners won’t be necessary. This also works to help eliminate smells from dirty clothes.

• Add wool dryer balls into the dryer with wet clothes. You can also add

•  a few drops of essential oils to the dryer balls as well for the sweetest-smelling fresh laundry.