how to make your own laundry soap?

Making your own laundry soap and other laundry products is a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to store-bought detergents. Here are the best Non toxic laundry recipes! This is a great way to avoid harsh chemicals and fragrances that may be present in commercial detergents. Here is a simple recipe for making your own laundry soap:

Ingredients:

  • 1 bar of soap (such as castile soap or fels-naptha soap)
  • 1 cup of washing soda
  • 1 cup of baking soda
  • 20-30 drops of essential oils (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Grate the bar of soap using a cheese grater or food processor.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the grated soap, washing soda, and baking soda.
  3. If desired, add 20-30 drops of essential oils for fragrance. Mix well.
  4. Store the laundry soap in an airtight container.

To use, add 1-2 tablespoons of the laundry soap to the detergent compartment of your washing machine or dissolve in a cup of hot water before adding to the machine.

Note: If you have hard water, you may need to add more laundry soap to your machine. You may also want to try adding 1/2 cup of borax to the recipe to help combat mineral buildup in your laundry.

how to make homemade non toxic laundry softener?

Here is a simple recipe for making your own laundry softener:

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of white vinegar
  • 1 cup of baking soda
  • 10-15 drops of essential oils (optional)

Instructions:

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the white vinegar and baking soda.
  2. If desired, add 10-15 drops of essential oils for fragrance. Mix well.
  3. Pour the mixture into an empty laundry detergent bottle or other container with a pour spout.
  4. Shake well to combine the ingredients.

To use, add 1/2 cup of the laundry softener to the fabric softener compartment of your washing machine or add it to the rinse cycle.

Note: you can also add the mixture to a Downy ball or a small muslin bag and toss it in the dryer.

non toxic laundry

how to make non toxic laundry dryer sheets?

Commercial dryer sheets contain harsh chemicals and artificial fragrances that may be harmful and can disrupt your endocrine system and more. It is important to consider eliminating the use of dryer sheets in your non toxic laundry drying. Here is a simple recipe for making your own laundry dryer sheets:

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of white vinegar
  • 10-15 drops of essential oils (optional)
  • A few squares of cut up an old t-shirt or a piece of cloth like flannel

Instructions:

  1. In a spray bottle, mix the white vinegar and essential oils together.
  2. Cut up an old t-shirt or a piece of cloth like flannel into squares, about 6×6 inches.
  3. Spray the mixture on each square, make sure they are well saturated but not dripping.
  4. Allow the squares to dry completely before using.

To use, simply throw a sheet in the dryer with your damp clothes. The sheet will release a light fragrance and soften the clothes as they dry.

Note: you can use this same solution in a spray bottle to mist your clothes before ironing for added freshness and wrinkle release.

These are basic recipes, you can try experimenting with different types of essential oils or add more ingredients to your liking. You can also adjust the amount of the ingredients depending on the size of your laundry load. Making your own laundry supplies is not only cost-effective, but it also allows you to customize the scent, and avoid any potential allergens or irritants.

wool dryer balls

do wool dryer balls work?

Wool dryer balls are an eco-friendly alternative to traditional dryer sheets. They are made from 100% wool and are designed to be used in the dryer to reduce drying time, soften clothes, and reduce static.

When wool dryer balls are placed in the dryer with wet clothes, they absorb moisture and help to separate the clothes. This allows for hot air to circulate more efficiently, which reduces drying time. As the dryer balls move around with the clothes, they also fluff and soften them.

The wool fibers of the dryer balls also create a slight amount of friction which help to reduce static cling. The natural fibers of the wool also help to reduce wrinkles and create a softness to the clothes.

Wool dryer balls are reusable, they can last for hundreds of loads and they don’t contain any harsh chemicals or fragrances like traditional dryer sheets. They are also an effective alternative to fabric softener, as they don’t leave any residue on clothes.

You can add a few drops of essential oils on the balls before you put them in the dryer to give a pleasant scent to the clothes.

Wool dryer balls are a great option for those looking for a natural and eco-friendly alternative to traditional dryer sheets, they are easy to use, affordable and long-lasting.

air drying clothes like our great grandmothers…

  1. hang your clothes on a clothesline outside on a sunny day and let the sun and wind do their work.
  2. Indoor clothes drying rack: If outdoor drying isn’t an option, you can use an indoor clothes drying rack. These can be freestanding or wall-mounted and come in a variety of sizes.
  3. Clothespins on shower rod: Another indoor option is to hang clothes on a shower rod using clothespins. This is a great option for small items like socks and underwear.
  4. Hanger on clothes hanger: For items that can’t be hung, such as sweaters or jeans, you can use a clothes hanger to lay them out flat to dry.
  5. Air dry in a dryer: If you are using a dryer, you can use the air dry option, this way the dryer will spin the clothes but no heat will be applied.

It’s important to keep in mind that air drying clothes can take longer than using a dryer, so plan accordingly. Also, some fabrics like wool, silk or cashmere should not be air dried as they can shrink or lose shape.

Air drying is a non toxic laundry drying method and drying clothes like this can have several benefits compared to using a dryer:

  1. Energy savings: Air drying clothes uses no electricity, so it is a more energy-efficient option.
  2. Longer lifespan of clothes: The heat from a dryer can cause shrinkage, fading, and damage to clothes over time. Air drying clothes can help them last longer.
  3. Chemical-free: Air drying clothes eliminates the need for fabric softeners or dryer sheets, which can contain chemicals that can be harmful to the environment.
  4. Cost savings: Air drying clothes saves money on electricity and eliminates the need to purchase fabric softeners or dryer sheets.
  5. Better for certain fabrics: Some fabrics, such as wool, silk, or cashmere, should not be dried in a dryer as they can shrink or lose shape. Air drying is the best option for these fabrics.

However, air drying clothes also has some drawbacks. It takes longer than using a dryer and it may not be possible to dry certain clothes during bad weather or if you don’t have a suitable space. Also, air drying clothes can leave clothes stiff and wrinkled, so you may need to iron them.

Ultimately, whether air drying clothes is better or not will depend your family’s needs, preferences, and circumstances.

what about you?

I hope this post shows the benefits of making your own cleaning products for laundry, including cost savings and avoiding toxic chemicals. What about you? Let me know if you get a chance to try one of the recipes for homemade laundry detergent, stain remover, and fabric softener using natural ingredients such as baking soda, vinegar, and essential oils. The main goal when tackling laundry is to create a non-toxic home for our family by making our own cleaning products and reducing our exposure to harmful chemicals, all while saving money and the environment in the long run. If you liked this post, you may enjoy my post about how I make my own baby care supplies!