Are you looking to ditch commercial detergent and toxic chemicals and use a natural soap instead? This simple powder laundry detergent is for you. It’s made with simple ingredients, takes just 5 minutes, and is the hardest working homemade detergent-fighting stains and odors like a champ.

I’ve been using this powder laundry detergent recipe and DIY liquid detergent for over 11 years, and my laundry always smells and feels fantastic. 

Key Takeaways

• Natural Laundry Soap Recipe – No harsh chemicals in this detergent. You only need 2 bars of natural soap, borax, and washing soda. 
• Save Money – Not only is making your detergent a great way to reduce toxic chemicals, it’s also a great way to save money. 
• Clean Laundry – The natural ingredients clean clothes, eliminate odors, and even remove tough stains. 
• Quick & Easy – This recipe takes about 5 minutes to make. 
• 56 Loads of Laundry – Plenty of detergent for a family.
• 12-Month Shelf Life – Store the detergent in a container for up to a year. 

Before You Get Started: What You’ll Need

Ingredients

• 2 5-oz castile soap bars – Cleans, removes dirt and grime, fights against stains, and freshens. Castile soap is a plant-based, concentrated soap. It’s the best option for making your own laundry detergent. Dr. Bronner’s brand is easy to find in the grocery store (body/beauty aisle) and has over 20 uses. I also use castile soap to make liquid laundry detergent. 
• 3 cups washing soda – Boosts the power and effectiveness of the soap, helping to remove stains and eliminate odors. Also called “soda ash.”
• 2 cups borax – Laundry softener and water conditioner. Boosts the cleaning power of the soap, removes odors, and fights tough stains. 
• 30 drops essential oil of choice (Optional) – For a subtle scent. My favorite essential oils for homemade laundry soap are orange, lemon, eucalyptus, lavender, and peppermint. (How to use essential oils for natural cleaning) 

Equipment

• Food Processor – To grate the castile soap bars. Alternatively, use a cheese grater and a large bowl.
• Storage Container – Choose a storage container holding at least 6 cups of dry powder.

How to Make Homemade Laundry Powder Detergent: Recipe Steps

• Step 1 Cut & Grate Soap Bars – Cut the castile soap bars into small slices or chunks using a sharp chef’s knife and cutting board. Place the castile soap pieces in the food processor bowl. Pulse the soap on high until the soap resembles large crumbs (about 1 minute). If you don’t have a food processor, use a cheese grater and a large bowl.
• Step 2 Add Washing Soda & Pulse – Add 3 cups of washing soda to the food processor. Place a towel over the top of the food processor lid and pulse for 1 minute. After pulsing, the ingredients should be well combined. If you don’t have a food processor, stir the washing soda with the grated soap in a large bowl.
• Step 3 Pour Into Storage Container & Add Borax – Pour the combined washing soda and grated soap into a storage container, stir in 2 cups of borax (or seal the lid on the container after adding the borax and shake the container to combine). 
• Step 4 Add Fragrance – If desired, add your favorite essential oil or a couple of essential oils to create a custom scent blend. Stir to combine (or shake the container with the lid on).

The detergent is now ready to use. Read on to learn how to use the detergent for the freshest, cleanest laundry.

Watch & Follow My Video Tutorial For This Recipe

How to Use DIY Laundry Detergent For Top Loaders, Front Loaders, & HE Machines​

• For Top-Load Washing Machines –  Add ⅛ cup of laundry powder per load directly to the washer basin/drum, then add linens or clothes. Close the lid on the washer and turn on the wash cycle of choice.
• For Front-Loaders and High-Efficiency Washing Machines – Add 1 tablespoon of laundry powder per load to the washer basin/drum, then add linens or clothes. Close the lid on the washer and turn on the wash cycle of choice.
• Adding Fabric Softener – If you want to use fabric softener, add the liquid softener (vinegar is a great option) to the softener compartment of the washing machine. If you’re using a powder softener (like this salt fabric softener), add the powder (and homemade soap) directly to the washer basin/drum, then add fabrics and wash. 

Storage & Shelf Life

• Store the powder for up to 12 months in a sealed container.
• Store at room temperature.

How to Prevent Soap Residue on Clothes

• Avoid The Laundry Soap Dispenser – Add powder laundry detergent directly to the washing machine basin/drum. Do NOT add the powder to the laundry soap dispenser. Adding the clothes directly to the washing machine and then adding the clothes on top will ensure that water reaches the powder and dissolves it without getting caught in the folds of clothing and linens, which can leave a residue on clothing. 
• Try the Laundry Soap Dispenser in Certain Machines- Every washing machine differs. If adding the powder directly to the wash basin/drum isn’t working, try adding the laundry soap to the dispenser. Some machines have a small drawer where you can move from liquid to powder, which is specifically made to help circulate the powder during the wash cycle. 
• Soften Hard Water – Castile soap can leave a residue on dark fabrics if you have hard water, even after trying the tricks above. The borax in the recipe helps to soften water and should eliminate residue issues. The case may be hard water if you still have soap residue issues. You can try using an additional water softener (like white vinegar or a salt solution).

The Best Natural Laundry Detergent Brands: I’ve researched and tried many different laundry soap brands and narrowed down the best 11 brands!

More Natural Products For Clean Laundry

• Stain Remover Spray – Remove tough stains with this simple formula made with castile soap, hydrogen peroxide, and lemon essential oil. 
• Wool Dryer Balls – Soften laundry naturally with these easy-to-make wool dryer balls—a great alternative to dryer sheets. Add a few drops of essential oils to boost the scent in the dryer. 
• Liquid Laundry Detergent – Combine castile soap, borax, washing soda, and water to make my popular liquid laundry soap. 
• Powder Laundry Detergent – Make a powder variation of my popular liquid laundry soap using this simple recipe.
• Laundry Softener – Use vinegar to make this simple liquid laundry detergent.  

Print

DIY Homemade Powder Laundry Detergent Recipe

Clean clothes, eliminate odors, and fight stains with my homemade laundry powder. I've been using this powder laundry detergent recipe and DIY liquid detergent for over 11 years, and my laundry always smells and feels fantastic. 

Course Homemade

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword diy powder laundry detergent, homemade powder laundry detergent, natural powder laundry detergent

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 56 loads of laundry

Author Kristin Marr

Cost $9

Equipment

• 1 food processor or use a cheese grater and large bowl
• 1 storage container with lid that holds at least 6 cups of dry powder

Ingredients

• 2-5 oz lavender castile soap bars any scent variety or unscented
• 3 cups washing soda also called "soda ash"
• 2 cups borax see notes below for a borax-free recipe
• 30 drops essential oil optional for scent, such as: lavender, peppermint, orange, or lemon

Instructions

• Cut & Grate Soap Bars – Cut the castile soap bars into small slices or chunks using a sharp chef's knife and cutting board. Place the castile soap pieces in the food processor bowl. Pulse the soap on high until the soap resembles large crumbs (about 1 minute). If you don't have a food processor, use a cheese grater and a large bowl.
• Add Washing Soda & Pulse – Add 3 cups of washing soda to the food processor. Place a towel over the top of the food processor lid and pulse for 1 minute. After pulsing, the ingredients should be well combined. If you don't have a food processor, stir the washing soda with the grated soap in a large bowl.
• Pour Into Storage Container & Add Borax – Pour the combined washing soda and grated soap into a storage container, stir in 2 cups of borax (or seal the lid on the container after adding the borax and shake the container to combine). 
• Add Fragrance – If desired, add your favorite essential oil or a couple of essential oils to create a custom scent blend. Stir to combine (or shake the container with the lid on).
• The recipe is now ready to use.

Storage:

• Store in a container with a lid for up to 12 months at room temperature.

How to Use:

• For Top-Load Washing Machines –  Add ⅛ cup of laundry powder per load directly to the washer basin/drum, then add linens or clothes. Close the lid on the washer and turn on the wash cycle of choice. For Front-Loaders and High-
• Efficiency Washing Machines – Add 1 tablespoon of laundry powder per load to the washer basin/drum, then add linens or clothes. Close the lid on the washer and turn on the wash cycle of choice.
• Pre-Treat Tough Stains – Before washing garments with tough stains, pre-treat the item with my stain remover spray. Then wash with this detergent.

Video

Notes

• For a borax-free laundry powder, make this laundry detergent recipe. 
• For more homemade laundry recipes, check out my guide: How to Go Natural in the Laundry Room. 

More Cleaning Recipes

SEE ALL

DIY Homemade Powder Laundry Detergent (3 Ingredients)

DIY Natural Laundry Scent Booster (Just 2 Ingredients)

Simple Homemade Fabric Softener (4 Ways)

14 Best Natural and Non-Toxic Laundry Detergents

Simple DIY Homemade Candles for Beginners

19 Frugal Natural Cleaning Hacks With Baking Soda

The post DIY Homemade Powder Laundry Detergent (3 Ingredients) appeared first on Live Simply.

Key Takeaways

• Simple Ingredients – The 2 key ingredients you’ll need are kosher salt, sea salt, or Epsom salt and essential oil.
• Natural – Most commercial laundry boosters (like Mrs. Meyers) are made with artificial fragrances and toxic chemicals that can irritate sensitive skin (source). This laundry booster recipe is 100% natural.
• Great Smell – Use your favorite essential oils to make a simple homemade recipe smell amazing.
• DIY Fabric Softener – This recipe adds a fresh scent to laundry and softens laundry (thanks to the salt). 
• Quick & Easy to Make– This simple DIY recipe takes less than 5 minutes. 
• Shelf Life – Store the natural scent booster for up to 12 months. 

Before You Get Started: What You’ll Need

Ingredients

• 4-5 cups coarse salt – Sea salt, kosher, or Epsom salt are the best type of salt. The salt works as a carrier to carry the essential oil (the scent) to your laundry and also softens laundry (particularly important if you have hard water). I buy a 3lb box of coarse salt from Costco or the grocery store for about $3-4.
• 1-2 teaspoons of your favorite essential oil (100-200 drops) – This is the most crucial ingredient for making your scent booster. Choose your favorite essential oil or combine 2-3 essential oils to create a beautiful blend. I love lavender essential oil, peppermint, sweet orange, lemon, or lemongrass for laundry.

Equipment

• Large Bowl – For mixing the salt and essential oil(s). 
• Large Spoon – Also used for mixing the salt and essential oil(s). A large wooden cooking spoon or fork (for whisking) works well. 
• Large Storage Container – Something to store the laundry booster. Think about something that will allow you to easily pour the scented salt into the washing machine or a jar that will enable you to scoop the mixture from the jar. 

How to Make a Laundry Scent Booster: Recipe Steps

• Step 1 Add Salt & Essential Oil – Pour the salt into a large bowl. Then, add the essential oil. 
• Step 2 Combine – Using a spoon, mix the salt and essential oil with a spoon or whisk. 
• Step 3 Spoon into a Storage Container – Spoon the mixture into a container with a lid (like a wide glass jar). For best results, I let the mixture rest for 24 hours, allowing the essential oil to infuse the salt. After 24 hours, the scent booster is ready for your laundry routine. 
• Pro Tip for Combining the Essential Oil & Salt – If mixing the salt and oil in a bowl is difficult, pour the ingredients into a large plastic bag. Seal the bag and use your fingers (from the outside) to massage the ingredients and combine. 

How much should I use for the best smelling laundry?

• 1/2 Cup Per Load – Add 1/2 cup of scented salt per load. Add directly to the washing machine with clothes, sheets, towels, etc. For HE machines, you may want to try 1/4 cup.
• Adjust to Your Preference – This will vary on your water, so test different amounts to see what works best for you. 
• Add Directly to Washer – The salt should be added to the washer at the same time as the laundry soap. Add the salt directly to the washer basin with the clothes.

FAQs

• How much of the softener/scent do I need the add per load? I recommend 1/2 cup of salt per load. For HE machines, you may want to try 1/4 cup.
• Can I add baking soda? Yes, you can add baking soda to this recipe. Instead of using 4-5 cups of salt, use 3 cups of salt + 1 cup of baking soda. Baking soda neutralizes odors, so this is an excellent formulation for stinky clothes (like workout clothes, sports uniforms, etc.)
• Is any kind of salt okay? Yes, any kind of large granule course salt.
• Can I make a homemade scent booster without salt? Yes, you can. Use all baking soda mixed with the essential oil. However, I’ve found that using all baking soda may leave a white film on clothes. So I recommend something other than this combination for dark-colored garments. 
• Is it safe to use salt in the washing machine? Yes, I haven’t had any issues with using salt in my washing machine. If you’re concerned, reduce the amount used.
• Do you use this salt fabric softener/scent booster with vinegar or is it one or the other? No, choose one. Both this recipe and vinegar act as a fabric softener, so I recommend sticking to one option: either salt or vinegar.
• Does the scented salt go in the rinse water? I add the scent booster salts with the clothes/towels before turning on the wash.
• Do you know how it will work in a HE front loader? Yes, it will. For a front loader start off with 1/4 cup of salt per load. Add the scent booster directly to the washer, along with the clothes, before turning on the cycle.

More Natural Products For Clean Laundry

Here are my favorite homemade products to use in the laundry room.

• Stain Remover Spray – Remove tough stains with this simple formula made with castile soap, hydrogen peroxide, and lemon essential oil. 
• Wool Dryer Balls – Soften laundry naturally with these easy-to-make wool dryer balls—a great alternative to dryer sheets. Add a few drops of essential oils to boost the scent in the dryer. 
• Liquid Laundry Detergent – Combine castile soap, borax, washing soda, and water to make my popular liquid laundry soap. 
• Powder Laundry Detergent – Make a powder variation of my popular liquid laundry soap using this simple recipe.
• Laundry Softener – Use vinegar to make this simple liquid laundry detergent.  

Print

DIY Natural Laundry Scent Booster & Softener

Want a natural way to make your laundry smell amazing? My favorite homemade laundry scent booster recipe comes together in under 5 minutes and is made with just 2 natural ingredients. Add a scoop to a load of laundry alongside your favorite eco-friendly detergents or my homemade laundry detergent. 

Course Homemade

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword DIY laundry scent booster, homemade laundry softener, Laundry Softener, Natural Laundry Scent Booster, natural scent booster for laundry

Prep Time 2 minutes minutes

Total Time 2 minutes minutes

Servings 5 cups

Author Kristin Marr

Cost $6 ($1.30 per load)

Equipment

• 1 large bowl for combining the ingredients
• 1 large spoon or fork for combining the ingredients
• 1 large storage container that holds 5 cups of dry goods for storing the scent booster

Ingredients

• 5 cups coarse sea salt sea salt, kosher, or Epsom salt are the best type of salt.
• 1-2 teaspoons favorite essential oil or blend a couple of oils together for a custom scent (100-200 drops)

Instructions

• Pour the salt into a large bowl. Then, add the essential oil.
• Using a spoon, mix the salt and essential oil with a spoon or whisk.
• Spoon the mixture into a container with a lid (like a wide glass jar). For best results, I let the mixture rest for 24 hours, allowing the essential oil to infuse the salt. After 24 hours, the scent booster is ready for your laundry routine.

How to Use:

• Add 1/2 cup of scented salt per load. Add directly to the washing machine with clothes, sheets, towels, etc. For HE machines, you may want to try 1/4 cup.

Storage:

• Store for up to 12 months.

Notes

Essential Oil Note: Due to the cost of essential oils, I use a cheaper yet still reputable brand like NOW for laundry purposes. NOW sells some oils, like lavender, in bulk bottles. The essential oil may also be skipped, if desired.

Best Essential Oil Options: 

• Individual Oils- I love lavender essential oil, peppermint, sweet orange, lemon, or lemongrass for laundry.
• Make Your Own Oil Blend – I love to combine Orange & Lemon, Eucalyptus & Lemon, Peppermint & Orange, or Rosemary & Peppermint. Use 50-100 drops of each oil. 

More Cleaning Recipes

SEE ALL

DIY Homemade Powder Laundry Detergent (3 Ingredients)

DIY Natural Laundry Scent Booster (Just 2 Ingredients)

Simple Homemade Fabric Softener (4 Ways)

14 Best Natural and Non-Toxic Laundry Detergents

Simple DIY Homemade Candles for Beginners

19 Frugal Natural Cleaning Hacks With Baking Soda

The post DIY Natural Laundry Scent Booster (Just 2 Ingredients) appeared first on Live Simply.

Looking for a simple, non-toxic fabric softener that also saves money? If so, this blog is for you! There are 4 simple ways to soften laundry naturally: vinegar, salt, wool dryer balls, and homemade dryer balls. I’ll break down each method below.

In this blog, I’m outlining the exact steps you need to know to use vinegar to soften clothes naturally.

Before You Get Started

• Fabric softener, a common household product, softens clothes, particularly towels and sheets.
• Most fabric softeners rely on harsh chemicals (source), like synthetic fragrances. These artificial scents may irritate sensitive skin or allergies (source). Fragrances are also typically used in laundry detergents.
• There are 4 ways to soften laundry naturally: vinegar, salt, wool dryer balls, and homemade dryer balls. I’ll break down each method below.

How to Use Vinegar to Soften Laundry: Step by Step Guide

Here’s the simplest, homemade liquid fabric softener. This simple way of softening laundry requires no mixing, expensive ingredients, or hair conditioner (yes, that’s a thing). All you need is a cheap bottle of vinegar!

What You’ll Need

• 1 bottle of white vinegar (1/2 cup Distilled White Vinegar per standard load of laundry)

Instructions

• Add the vinegar to the washing machine during the rinse cycle, to the fabric softener dispenser, or a fabric softener ball (like a downy ball) at the beginning of the wash cycle. 

Can you Add Essential Oils? 

Some people like to mix a couple of drops of essential oils with vinegar in a small bowl before adding to the wash, but I don’t see the point in doing this. The clothes will not end up smelling like the essential oil. Instead, save the essential oils for other natural cleaners. 

Why Use Vinegar to Soften Laundry? 

The easiest and cheapest fabric softener is straight white distilled vinegar.

• Excellent Cleaning Power – Vinegar is a natural ingredient containing 4-6% acetic acid, making vinegar an excellent cleaning ingredient.
• Breaks Down Detergent – When used in the wash, vinegar may help soften fabrics by breaking down excess detergent left on the clothes (source).
• Neutralizes Odors – Vinegar also neutralizes odors, even mildew odors that can linger on clothes.
• Breaks Down Mineral Deposits – A high mineral content in your water may also leave clothes feeling stiff. Vinegar works to break down mineral deposits, which can also help soften garments. 

What to Avoid Doing 

​Vinegar isn’t always the right answer. There are certain times when you shouldn’t use vinegar or need to take precautions. Let’s talk about each scenario.

• Elastic Workout Clothes – The acid in vinegar breaks down elastics over time. Don’t use vinegar with elastic fabrics, like your favorite Lululemon yoga pants. Instead, opt for the non-vinegar options below.
• Never Mix Baking Soda and Vinegar – Some recipes call for mixing baking soda and vinegar to make a fabric softener. Baking soda is a base, while vinegar is an acid. When combined, they create a chemical reaction and cancel each other out. Not harmful, but not effective. When you do this, you’re wasting ingredients. Instead, use plain vinegar (distilled white vinegar) straight in the washer. 
• Mixing Castile Soap & Vinegar – Another combination that doesn’t mix is castile soap and vinegar. Homemade laundry detergent recipes are often made with castile soap, including my favorite liquid detergent and powder laundry soap. The good news is you can use straight vinegar as a softener and castile soap laundry detergent. You will not have an issue since you’re not mixing the two ingredients directly but instead using them in a giant washing machine (filled with lots of water). Keep the two products in separate compartments (one in the laundry soap compartment, the other in a downy ball or fabric softener compartment), as they’ll release at different times.
• Never Mix Vinegar With Bleach – The two ingredients will create a dangerous gas. If you plan to use bleach in the washer, skip this fabric softener and choose another option below. Or, try my homemade bleach alternative.

Three More Natural Fabric Softeners

Option 1: Salt

Salt is a favorite ingredient for lifting some laundry stains. And you can use salt as a fabric softener. I share a detailed recipe for this softener/scent booster here.

How to Make & Use

• Ingredients: 4-5 cups coarse sea salt or kosher salt + 1-2 teaspoons essential oil of choice
• How to Make: Pour the salt into a large storage container (make sure it’s wide enough to mix or shake the salt with the essential oil. Add the essential oil, then mix the salt and essential oil with a spoon or whisk (or shake the container). Let the mixture rest for 24 hours to allow the essential oil to infuse the salt.
• How to Use: Add 1/2-1 cup of salt to the washer per load. Add the salt directly to the washing machine basin at the beginning of the wash cycle.

Option 2: Wool Dryer Balls 

Dryer balls are not a traditional fabric softener but an excellent option for softening laundry. Wool dryer balls are an alternative to commercial dryer sheets.

How to Make & Use

• DIY and Store-Bought Options: You can make wool dryer balls if you’re crafty. Or, purchase a set of dryer balls from Amazon.
• How to Use: Add the dryer balls to the dryer, with wet laundry, and dry. If you’d like a subtle scent, add a few drops of essential oil to each dryer ball before using. Some people add a safety pin to a dryer ball before tossing it in the dryer to reduce static cling. 

Option 3: Homemade Dryer Sheets

I share how to make your own dryer sheets in my Natural Cleaning Made Easy cleaning course.

How to Make & Use

• Ingredients: 2 cups vinegar + 50 drops cleaning essential oil + 10 8-inch square cloths (such as baby washcloths, small towels, cut-up old shirts, etc.)
• How to Make: Combine the vinegar and essential oil in a storage jar. Add the cloths to the pot, submerging the cloths in the liquid.
• How to Use: Add 1-2 cloths to the dryer at the beginning of the cycle, along with wet clothes. The cloths won’t reduce static cling but soften laundry and add a fresh scent. Return the cloths to the jar after use, re-sumberging in the liquid.

Print

Simple Homemade Liquid Fabric Softener

Yes, a natural liquid fabric softener does exist. Simple solutions and recipes are usually the ones that are most often overlooked, and usually the ones that are most worthy of being shared. This simple fabric softener solution only requires one ingredient: vinegar!

Course Homemade

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword Liquid Fabric and Softener

Prep Time 1 minute minute

Total Time 1 minute minute

Servings 1 load of laundry

Author Kristin Marr

Cost $.50 per load

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Distilled White Vinegar per load

Instructions

• Add the vinegar to the washing machine during the rinse cycle, to the fabric softener dispenser, or a fabric softener ball (like a downy ball) at the beginning of the wash cycle. 
• If you're looking for an alternative to vinegar, use wool dryer balls or salt laundry softener.

Notes

Precautions: 

• Exercise Clothes: The acid in vinegar breaks down elastics over time. Don’t use vinegar with elastic fabrics, like your favorite Lululemon yoga pants. Instead, opt for the non-vinegar options in the post above, like wool dryer balls, salt, or homemade dryer sheets.
• Castile Soap: Yes, you can use this vinegar solution with a castile soap based laundry soap. You will not have an issue since you’re not mixing the two ingredients directly but instead using them in a giant washing machine (filled with lots of water). 
• Essential Oils: Some people like to mix a couple of drops of essential oils with vinegar in a small bowl before adding to the wash, but I don’t see the point in doing this. The clothes will not end up smelling like the essential oil. Instead, save the essential oils for other natural cleaners. 

More Cleaning Recipes

SEE ALL

DIY Homemade Powder Laundry Detergent (3 Ingredients)

DIY Natural Laundry Scent Booster (Just 2 Ingredients)

Simple Homemade Fabric Softener (4 Ways)

14 Best Natural and Non-Toxic Laundry Detergents

Simple DIY Homemade Candles for Beginners

19 Frugal Natural Cleaning Hacks With Baking Soda

The post Simple Homemade Fabric Softener (4 Ways) appeared first on Live Simply.

Whether you have sensitive skin, are concerned about the environmental impact, or want to avoid certain chemicals, here’s my top list for the best natural and non-toxic laundry detergents, from store-bought brands to easy homemade options.

Do you have a favorite laundry detergent? Add to my list in the comment section below this article.

Laundry Detergent Ingredients to Avoid 

This list comes from Molly’s Suds, a long-time natural laundry soap company.

Not everyone agrees on what is considered “natural” or “toxic.” These words get tossed around a lot and there’s research on both sides, both for the use of an ingredient and against it. But this list is a great place to start when doing your own research.

• Synthetic Fragrances
• Artificial Dyes
• Optical Brighteners
• Chlorine
• Formaldehyde
• Synthetic Nonylphenol Ethoxylates
• Phosphates
• Phthalates
• Methylisothiazolinone
• Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
• 1,4-Dioxane

How to Easily Find The Best Detergent Options

According to EPA.gov, “Unlike food products, manufacturers of chemical products are not required to list ingredients on their containers or make them public.”

A cleaning product doesn’t need to list all ingredients. And most include only active ingredients on the bottle. For this reason, it can be challenging to navigate cleaning products. Just going by the word “natural” on an ingredient list doesn’t mean anything, as no qualifications make a product “natural.” 

Two easy ways to find great brands and research products:

• Laundry detergents and other cleaning products may contain certifications easily identified on the label. These certifications range from the Green Seal to the Leaping Bunny Seal. Learn about each certification and what to look for.
• You can also research cleaners and cleaning ingredients using the Environmental Working Group’s website. 

Best Natural Laundry Detergents (Store-Bought) 

• What Made My List & Why? After many years of testing and research, here are the laundry detergent options that work the best. I’ve only recommended laundry products that meet my strict cleaning requirements: clean clothes, don’t leave behind residue, work in all washers (including high-efficiency washing machines), and don’t leave clothes with an awkward scent. 
• Transparency is Important: These options perform just as well as conventional laundry detergents, like Tide or Gain. However, they take pride in their ingredients, using biodegradable ingredients, plant-derived ingredients, and natural scents (like essential oils). The companies also willingly list all the ingredients (not just active ones) so you can research and determine if the ingredients align with what you need/desire. They may not all be “perfect,” but I think they’re better than traditional laundry detergent. 
• Where to Buy? Some detergent brands on this list may be found at a local grocery store (depending on your area), and others may be ordered online (Thrive Market, Amazon, and other online retailers). 

1. Branch Basics

Branch Basics is an OG in natural cleaning products and an great eco-friendly liquid laundry detergent. Branch Basics uses one plant-derived cleaning concentrate, which you mix with water (using different water-to-concentrate ratios) to make laundry soap, all-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, etc. For brighter whites and deodorizing, you can also use their Oxygen Boost.

Cost: Premium Starter Kit (includes all bottles to make your cleaners, cleaning concentrate, and Oxygen boost) $89, Laundry Starter Kit (includes laundry bottle, cleaning concentrate, and Oxygen Boost) $69 

Coupon Code: Get 10% off any Branch Basics Starter Kit with code: livesimply

Where to Buy: BranchBasics.com

My Thoughts: The downside of Branch Basics is that you can only purchase it online, which is expensive. The concentrate is super effective at cleaning. It fights stains and odors and removes dirt easily. The other perk is that after purchasing the concentrate for laundry, you can use that same concentrate to make other cleaning products. 

2. Ecos

Ecos makes one of the best performing and most affordable liquid laundry detergents on the market. This brand is easy to find in most grocery stores, including Costco. Ecos bans over 500 ingredients, so they go above and beyond regarding safety. The base ingredient is coconut, used to clean, freshen, and lift mild stains from clothes. 

Cost: $13 for liquid laundry soap (100 loads) 

Where to Buy: Grocery stores, Target, Costco, BJ’s Wholesale, Amazon and other online retailers

My Thoughts: Like Seventh Generation, I love that it’s easy to find this brand in most stores! And I love the price. I’m all about saving money at the grocery store without compromising quality, and this brand hits a home run by making laundry detergent affordable and safe.

3. Meliora 

If you love powdered laundry soap, this is a great option. The ingredients are Made Safe Certified, and fully disclosed, including the scent ingredients. The powder is safe to use in an HE machine. 

Cost: $19 for laundry soap powder (64 loads)

Where to Buy: Amazon, online retailers 

My Thoughts: This is an excellent option if you like laundry powder. The scents are lovely, and they are fully transparent about their ingredients. The only con is you can only find this soap online, which can be a barrier like many of the online-only products on this list. I also find that most powder soaps require hot water. 

4. BioKleen

Biokeeln uses plant-based surfactants with citrus and grapefruit seed extracts to make its liquid laundry detergent. It’s even safe to use on delicate clothing items. 

Cost: $18 for concentrated liquid laundry soap (128 loads) 

Where to Buy: Vitacost, Amazon, some health food stores

My Thoughts: BioKleen makes many different laundry detergent options, ranging from cold water liquid detergents to powders. I like BioKleen and find all the laundry products to work very well. My only issue is this brand can be challenging to find. Some health food stores carry this brand, but it’s easiest to find online via Vitacost and Amazon.

5. Attitude 

This liquid laundry soap uses naturally sourced surfactants to clean and freshen clothes and is 100% transparent about all its ingredients. The ingredients are Environmental Working Group verified (a watchdog group for safer cleaning and body products). Phosphate-free, dye-free, phthalate-free, and formaldehyde-free.

Cost: $14 for liquid laundry soap (36 loads) 

Where to Buy: Amazon, Walmart online

My Thoughts: If you have a large family, this isn’t a great option as the containers are small and expensive for the size. Other than Amazon and online retailers like Walmart, it’s also challenging to find. I prefer a soap that’s easy to find in the grocery store. The good news is this soap works incredibly well, and the ingredients are verified to be safe by the Environmental Working Group. 

6. Grab Green 

Grab Green sells laundry pods (powder soap packaged up in pods). The formula is plant-based and mineral-derived and uses no optical brighteners, chlorine, or dyes. The pods are a 3-in-1 laundry product: deep-cleaning concentrated detergent, stain remover, and brightener. 

Cost: $17 for 60 laundry pods

Where to Buy: Grabgreen.com, Amazon

My Thoughts: If you love powder laundry soap but hate the mess of scooping powder, this is a great option. Unfortunately, they do not offer any liquid laundry options. Pods are generally more expensive than traditional powder or liquid laundry detergents. From a budget perspective, I avoid these options. 

7. Seventh Generation 

Seventh Generation is the easiest, less-toxic cleaning brand on the market. The laundry soap options range from pods to liquid laundry soap. Not a perfect brand, but for the cost and transparency, I like this brand and use the products in my home!

Cost: $20 for liquid laundry soap (90 loads)

Where to Buy: Most grocery stores, Target, Walmart, Amazon and other online retailers 

My Thoughts: I can easily find Seventh Generation in almost any grocery store! It’s also inexpensive and goes on sale often. Seventh Generation does a great job disclosing what’s in their products, unlike other commercial detergents. 

8. Grove Collaborative 

Grove has become a popular brand for household cleaners. The ultra-concentrated liquid detergent uses no synthetic dyes, fragrances, or brighteners. It also has a lovely scent that is naturally derived.

Cost: $10 for ultra-concentrated liquid laundry soap (33 loads) 

Where to Buy: Govecollaborative.com, Amazon, Target

My Thoughts: This is an expensive option and not worth the price. I’ve tried many Grove Collaborative products over the years and find that while they are beautiful (great marketing and packaging), the cost isn’t worth their performance.

9. Molly’s Suds

Molly’s Suds uses plant-derived ingredients and is free from chemicals such as 1,4 dioxane, optical brighteners, and artificial fragrances. Natural enzymes remove soil, dirt, oil, and stains. Available in powder laundry, detergent pods, and liquid concentrated soap.

Cost: $35 for concentrated liquid laundry soap (100 loads), $37 for laundry powder (240 loads)

Where to Buy: Health food stores (like Whole Foods, Sprouts, etc.), Mollyssuds.com, Target, and Amazon. 

My Thoughts: I’ve tried just about every natural laundry powder out there, and Molly’s Suds works the best. I haven’t tried the liquid laundry detergent yet, as that’s a new product. Molly’s Suds offers a variety of laundry options, including whitening powder, dryer balls, and stain remover spray. 

10. Public Goods 

Public Goods is a bulk online cleaning, food, and personal care product retailer. Their laundry soap formula uses no harsh chemicals, synthetic dyes, or brighteners.

Cost: $9.95 for 24 laundry pods 

Where to Buy: Publicgoods.com

My Thoughts: We use Public Goods in our Live Simply Cottage Airbnb. I love the price and convenience of ordering bulk goods and then being able to refill our bottles with the products. And all the products smell fantastic! You need a yearly membership to purchase Public Goods, which costs $79/year. This membership is worth it if you regularly order products like shampoo, conditioner, laundry soap, dish soap, etc. And you can set up the auto-ship so you don’t need to worry about running out of products. 

11. Castile Soap or Sal Suds 

Castile soap is one of the best household cleaners. It’s natural, budget-friendly, and traditional (history of castile soap). And there are over 24 castile soap uses. Sal Suds is a more concentrated detergent that is even tougher on stubborn dirt and stains.

How to Use: For castile soap, use 1/3 cup of liquid soap per load of laundry. For Sal Suds, use 2 tablespoons per load of laundry. For a high-efficiency washer, use half these amounts. Learn how to use castile soap and sal suds for laundry in this video. 

Cost: 1/2 gallon liquid castile soap $34, 1 gallon Sal Suds $46 (many uses and loads of laundry)

Where to Buy: Most grocery stores (including Target and Walmart) sell castile soap in the body department, along with Amazon and other online retailers. Sal Suds can be trickier, as it’s only available online (via Amazon), Whole Foods, and other health food stores. 

My Thoughts: I always have a bottle of Castile soap and Sal Suds around the house for making DIY cleaners. So when I run out of my favorite laundry soap (usually Seventh Generation or Ecos, since it’s the easiest to find), this is my backup solution for laundry. 

Best Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipes

One of the easiest ways to avoid potentially harmful chemicals (source) is to make your laundry detergent. Here are my top 3 DIY laundry detergent recipes. 

12. Liquid Laundry Detergent

This popular recipe combines washing soda, liquid castile soap, and borax to create a powerful liquid laundry soap that lifts dirt, removes fresh stains, and brightens clothes. It’s easy to make, taking just 15 minutes from start to finish. 

Cost to Make: $6-8

Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent Recipe

With four simple ingredients and ten minutes, you can make your own homemade laundry soap. Nothing fancy, just simple ingredients that freshen, deodorize, fight stains, and remove dirt.

Make This Recipe

13. Laundry Detergent Powder

If you love powder laundry soap, this is a great recipe. It works best with hot water, as this is the case with most powder laundry soaps. The ingredients are similar to liquid laundry soap, made with castile soap (bar form), washing soda, and borax. 

Cost to Make: $8

DIY Homemade Powder Laundry Detergent Recipe

Made with simple ingredients: castile soap bars, borax, and washing soda. Easy to make in just 5 minutes with a long shelf life.

Make This Recipe

14. Borax-Free Laundry Soap Powder

Some folks don’t care for borax. If that’s you and you want to make DIY laundry soap without borax, this powder soap is the best formula.

Cost to Make: $8

(No-Borax) Homemade Laundry Soap with Natural Laundry Softener

Homemade laundry soap made with natural ingredients. This easy-to-make laundry soap can be used just like a powder store-bought soap. 

Make This Recipe

More Cleaning Recipes

SEE ALL

DIY Homemade Powder Laundry Detergent (3 Ingredients)

DIY Natural Laundry Scent Booster (Just 2 Ingredients)

Simple Homemade Fabric Softener (4 Ways)

14 Best Natural and Non-Toxic Laundry Detergents

Simple DIY Homemade Candles for Beginners

19 Frugal Natural Cleaning Hacks With Baking Soda

The post 14 Best Natural and Non-Toxic Laundry Detergents appeared first on Live Simply.

Want to make an all-natural laundry detergent as effective as commercial detergent? Your search is over. Here’s how to make the best DIY homemade laundry detergent. And all you need is 3 key ingredients and 15 minutes.

This recipe is non-toxic, fights stains better than commercial detergent, and is cheap! I’ve been making this liquid laundry detergent for over 11 years (originally created in 2014) because of its extraordinary cleaning power.

10 years ago, I started making the switch to natural cleaning products, including laundry detergent!

At that time, the majority of recipes online called for a bar of fels naptha, washing soda, and Borax. The first time I made this original recipe, our clothes came out with chalky white spots.

The second time, I made a simple swap: liquid Dr. Bronner’s castile soap instead of the fels naptha soap bar. This time, the detergent worked just as good as Tide. Today, I’ll show you how to make this game-changing recipe.

Key Takeaways

Before You Get Started: What You’ll Need

Ingredients

This recipe, made with simple ingredients, makes 1 gallon of homemade soap.

• 1 cup borax – freshens, deodorizes, and lifts dirt and stains
• 1 cup washing soda – freshens and deodorizes
• 1 cup liquid castile soap or Sal Suds – the main cleaning agent, lifts dirt and cleans
• 50 drops essential oil – optional for a scent
• 15 cups water – distilled water, found in any grocery store, is best as it doesn’t contain containments found in tap or filtered water

Equipment

• Large saucepan or Dutch oven – enough to hold 1 gallon of liquid, 15 cups
• Storage Jars – such as 2 half gallon-size glass mason jars, 1 gallon-size jar, or reuse an old detergent bottle

Thicker Detergent Tip: This recipe calls for 15 cups of water. If you’d like a thicker, more concentrated soap, use 10-12 cups of water.

How to Make Homemade Laundry Detergent: Step By Step Guide

• Step 1 Boil 6 Cups of Water: In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, bring 6 cups of water to a slight boil. Once the water begins to boil, turn off the burner.
• Step 2 Add Borax, Washing Soda, More Water, and Castile Soap: Add the Borax and washing soda. Stir to dissolve. Then add 9 cups of room-temperature water and 1 cup of liquid castile soap. Give the ingredients a stir to combine.
• Step 3 Cool for 5-10 Minutes: Allow the soap to cool for a few minutes before pouring into one large gallon-size jar or smaller containers, like quart-size jars. Make sure your jar(s) are heat-safe. If not, wait until the soap is cool, then spoon the soap into the jar(s).
• Step 4 Add Essential Oil For Scent: Add an essential oil of choice (if using) to the soap (now in the jar) and stir to combine with the detergent.

What to Avoid Doing

• Baking Soda – Don’t use baking soda in place of washing soda. Washing soda has a different chemical composition and will not work in this recipe. It is NOT a substitute.
• Dish Soap – Don’t use other dish soaps in place of the castile soap. Dish soap will cause the soap to have too many bubbles in the wash.
• Lack of Suds – Don’t assume that a lack of suds and bubbles means the soap isn’t effective. Suds and bubbles don’t equal clean.
• Plastic Containers – If you’re reusing an old detergent bottle for storage, make sure the laundry detergent is fully cool before adding to a plastic container.
• Heat-Safe Glass – Use a heat-resistant glass jar (if using glass for storage), and also allow the detergent to cool a bit (about 10 minutes) before adding it.
• Essential Oils – The essential oil will add a subtle fragrance, but shouldn’t be added until the soap cools as heat will cause the essential oil to evaporate.

How to Prevent The Detergent From Becoming Chunky

After a few days the liquid laundry detergent may clump or gel. This is a completely normal chemical reaction that is usually caused when the outside temperature is cooler. There’s no way to completely prevent this from happening; however, one option is to use more water (2-3 cups more) to make a less concentrated soap.

The laundry soap is 100% usable if it gels up (l actually love this form). Simply scoop the detergent from the container and add to the washer.

Key Takeaway: Whether the laundry detergent gels up or remains liquid, it’s 100% effective and usable in both forms.

The Best Natural Laundry Detergent Brands: I’ve researched and tried many different laundry soap brands and narrowed down the best 11 brands!

Print

Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent Recipe

With four simple ingredients and ten minutes, you can make your own homemade laundry soap. Nothing fancy, just simple ingredients that freshen, deodorize, fight stains, and remove dirt.

Course DIY, Homemade

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword diy liquid laundry detergent, homemade laundry detergent, homemade liquid laundry detergent, homemade liquid laundry detergent recipe, homemade liquid laundry soap, laundry detergent recipe, Laundry Soap, make your own liquid laundry detergent

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 16 Cups

Author Kristin Marr

Cost $5 per batch

Equipment

• 1 large saucepan or dutch oven (big enough to hold 15 cups of liquid)
• storage jars (such as 2 half gallon-size glass mason jars, 1 gallon-size jar, or reuse an old detergent bottle) for storing the laundry soap

Ingredients

• 1 cup borax
• 1 cup washing soda
• 1 cup liquid castile soap unscented or scented
• 15 cups water divided
• 50 drops essential oil optional for scent

Instructions

• In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, bring 6 cups of water to a slight boil. Once the water begins to boil, turn off the burner.
• Add the Borax and washing soda. Stir to dissolve. Then add 9 cups of room-temperature water and 1 cup of liquid castile soap. Give the ingredients a stir to combine.
• Allow the soap to cool for a few minutes before pouring into one large gallon-size jar or smaller containers, like quart-size jars. Make sure your jar(s) are heat-safe. If not, wait until the soap is cool, then spoon the soap into the jar(s).

  If you're reusing an old detergent bottle, make sure the soap is fully cool before adding to a plastic container.
• Add an essential oil of choice (if using) to the soap (now in the jar) and stir to combine with the detergent.

  The essential oil will add a subtle fragrance, but shouldn't be added until the soap cools as heat will cause the essential oil to evaporate.
• As the soap sits, the mixture may form into a gel and become chunky. There may also be liquid and gel separation, simply stir or shake. This is normal.

How to Use

• For top loading washer machines, use 1/8-1/4 cup. For a front loader, use 1-2 tablespoons. Add the detergent to the liquid soap compartment of the washer.
• Stain Treatment – Use a small amount of soap directly on the stain, scrub or rub the stain with a cloth. Repeat as needed, then wash the garment. Or use this stain remover spray.
• Laundry Softener – This laundry detergent may be used with a fabric softener. I use vinegar added to the softener compartment or this salt scent booster & softener added directly to the wash basin before running a wash cycle.

Notes

• A reader recently shared this tip, “I like the the detergent to be more gelatinous and I use my immersion blender for a few seconds after it is cool to whip it. It turns white and jelly.”
• Give the jar a good shake or stir (with a long spoon) before use.
• Use this detergent just as you would any laundry soap to clean clothes.
• This homemade liquid laundry soap is highly concentrated which means you need only a small amount to get a dirty job done.
• With the leftover castile soap, make over 24 different household products, from all-purpose cleaner to stain remover to homemade face wash!

Free RECIPE Cheatsheet

8 Natural Recipes for Your Laundry Room

More Cleaning Recipes

SEE ALL

DIY Homemade Powder Laundry Detergent (3 Ingredients)

DIY Natural Laundry Scent Booster (Just 2 Ingredients)

Simple Homemade Fabric Softener (4 Ways)

14 Best Natural and Non-Toxic Laundry Detergents

Simple DIY Homemade Candles for Beginners

19 Frugal Natural Cleaning Hacks With Baking Soda

The post DIY Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent (3 Ingredients) appeared first on Live Simply.

Tired of spending money on expensive stain removers or using natural options that don’t work? Easily remove tough stains with this DIY homemade stain remover.

In this blog, I’ll show you how to make this easy stain remover recipe and remove stains naturally. 

In this blog, I’m outlining the exact steps you’ll need to successfully remove stains.

Before You Get Started: What You’ll Need

First, gather the ingredients you’ll need. You’ll find these ingredients at most grocery stores or on Amazon.

• 1/4 cup vegetable glycerin: helps to lift stains easily; however, if you don’t have any glycerin you can skip this ingredient.
• 1/4 cup water: Use distilled water if storing this product longer than a few days.
• 1/4 cup liquid castile soap: a natural, highly-concentrated soap with many uses. A natural dish detergent or Dawn dish soap may be used instead.
• 1 TB hydrogen peroxide: Regular 3% strength found in the grocery store.
• 40 drops of lemon essential oil: Since fresh lemon juice would spoil quickly, use lemon essential oil. Instead, you may use 1-2 juiced lemons if the spray is used within a couple of days. Learn more about using essential oils.

Equipment You’ll Need

• 1 dark amber spray bottle: Due to the hydrogen peroxide, which can’t be exposed to light when stored, use a dark spray bottle. If you’re making a small batch of this recipe and plan to use it immediately, it’s OK to use a clear spray bottle (or make your own glass spray bottle)

How to Make DIY Stain Remover: Step By Step Guide

You’ll also find a printable recipe card at the bottom of this post, so you can print and save the recipe.

1. Step 1 Combine All Ingredients: In a spray bottle, add all the ingredients: glycerin, water, soap, hydrogen peroxide, and lemon essential oil. Place the lid on the bottle and shake to combine.
2. Step 2 Use Immeadiately or Store For Later: The spray may be used immeadiately. It may also be stored for later use, at room temperature, in a dark location (like a dark cupboard under the sink or in the laundry room).

Step By Step Recipe Video Guide

How to Use This Spray & Remove Stains

• First, blot a liquid stain with paper towels or a cloth.
• Gently shake the DIY laundry stain remover spray. Spray or pour the solution on the stain (preferably a fresh stain).
• Let the stain remover rest for 5 minutes.
• Scrub the soaked stain with a scrub brush, old toothbrush, or cloth until the stain has been lifted. Repeat again, if needed, until the stain lifts.
• Rinse the garment in hot water with soap or in the washing machine using your favorite laundry soap.
• For a stubborn stain, after using the spray, place the garment in the washing machine with ½ cup washing soda and ½ cup hydrogen peroxide, along with whatever laundry soap you normally use in your laundry routine.

What kind of stains can you remove with this spray?

Here are just a few of the stains and surfaces I’ve personally used this easy homemade stain remover on.

• Carpets: Please test this spray first in a small area to ensure the hydrogen peroxide doesn’t discolor your carpet.
• Couches: Dustin once spilled red wine on my prized white couch. This stain remover was my first defense, then I used my homemade bleach alternative to finish the job.
• Clothes: Remove any food, pen marks, blood stains, or grass stains with this solution.
• Pet Stains: Remove Fido’s waste from the surface, spray with the solution, allow time to rest, then wipe the area with fresh water and a cloth.
• Pen and Marker Stains: If you have kids, you know what I’m talking about!
• Food Stains: Chocolate stains, coffee stains, red wine stains, ketchup stains, mustard stains–this solution lifts and dissolves them all.
• Baby Stains
• Fresh Grease Stains: I also like using this grease removal method.

What to Avoid Doing

• Only apply the stain remover to special garments or fabrics after testing first. Anytime you use a cleaning product, always spot-test in an inconspicuous area.
• Don’t store the spray in a clear bottle, which exposes the formula to direct sunlight due to the fragility of the hydrogen peroxide.

FAQs

• Can you use this stain remover on colored fabrics? From my experience, this solution is safe on colors. Always test a small area before applying the solution to a larger fabric surface.
•  Can you use dish soap instead of castile soap? Yes, you can! You can use any dish detergent, including Dawn Dish Soap or a natural dish soap.
•  Can I use a plastic spray bottle instead of glass? Yes, you can. Make sure the bottle doesn’t let light through (such as a clear bottle) due to the hydrogen peroxide.

Print

Natural Homemade Stain Remover Recipe

Easily remove tough stains with this DIY homemade stain remover. Save money and avoid harsh chemicals. No more stressing about stubborn stains, this homemade spray is a miracle worker.

Course DIY, Homemade

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword DIY stain remover, homemade stain remover, Stain Remover Spray

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 8 ounces

Author Kristin Marr

Cost $3 per bottle

Equipment

• 1 16-ounce dark spray bottle or 8-ounce spray bottle

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup vegetable glycerin a natural solvent that lifts stains
• 1/4 cup distilled water or tap water if using within a couple of days
• 1/4 cup liquid castile soap unscented or any variety
• 1 TB hydrogen peroxide 3% strength
• 40 drops lemon essential oil or fresh lemon juice (from 1-2 lemons) if using within 1-2 days

Instructions

• In a dark spray bottle (due to the hydrogen peroxide which can't be exposed to light during storage), add all the ingredients.
• Place the lid on the bottle. Gently shake the bottle to combine the ingredients. Shake before each use.
• How to Use (Lift and Remove Stains):
• First, blot a liquid stain with paper towels or a cloth.
• Gently shake the bottle. Spray or pour the solution on the stain (preferably a fresh stain).
• Let the stain remover rest for 5 minutes.
• Scrub the soaked stain with a scrub brush, old toothbrush, or cloth until the stain has been lifted. Repeat again, if needed, until the stain lifts.
• Rinse the garment in hot water with soap or in the washing machine using your favorite laundry soap.
• For a stubborn stain, after using the spray, place the garment in the washing machine with ½ cup washing soda and ½ cup hydrogen peroxide, along with whatever laundry soap you normally use in your laundry routine.

Video

Notes

Colored Garments and Surfaces: From my experience, this solution is safe on colors. Always test a small area before applying this solution to a larger fabric surface.

For stains on tub and sink surfaces, including rust stains, make and use this homemade scrub cleaner with baking soda, liquid castile soap, and hydrogen peroxide.

More Cleaning Recipes

SEE ALL

DIY Homemade Powder Laundry Detergent (3 Ingredients)

DIY Natural Laundry Scent Booster (Just 2 Ingredients)

Simple Homemade Fabric Softener (4 Ways)

14 Best Natural and Non-Toxic Laundry Detergents

Simple DIY Homemade Candles for Beginners

19 Frugal Natural Cleaning Hacks With Baking Soda

The post DIY Homemade Stain Remover Recipe For Clothes appeared first on Live Simply.

15 Best Cleaning Recipes For Your House

Stock your cleaning caddy with a 32-ounce bottle of liquid castile soap to make these 15 DIY household cleaning products. Unscented soap is the best option, as you can make a variety of products and use essential oils to add your own scent (optional).

Nearly all the recipes listed here use liquid soap with the exception of the laundry soap powder which uses soap in bar form.

1. DIY All-Purpose Cleaning Spray

This all-purpose spray makes cleaning up a breeze! I just don’t use this as a window cleaner as it can sometimes streak, but it’s great on counters, appliances, tables, and more.

If you have hard water you might see white deposits left over on the surface. There are two ways to avoid this: use distilled water instead of tap water to make this cleaner or wipe up the spray with a damp cloth after cleaning.

DIY All Purpose Cleaner Recipe

Add 2 tablespoons of castile soap to 2 cups of distilled water in a spray bottle and go! You can also add essential oils to your cleaner. I like peppermint or orange essential oil, or use about 15 drops of your favorite essential oil.

MAKE THIS RECIPE

2. Reusable Cleaning Wipes

I love the reusable cleaning wipes recipe from Lisa Bronner’s blog. Mix together 1 1/2 cups distilled water and 1 tablespoon of castile soap and 20 drops tea tree oil. Add a cut up shirt (for DIY rags) or small cleaning towels to a jar, add the castile soap solution, and add a lid. Pull a wipe at a time from the jar and wipe counters, floors, and other surfaces.

3. Toilet Bowl Cleaner 

No one really likes scrubbing toilets, but it has to be done. To really get at tough stains, make your own toilet bowl cleaner with baking soda and castile soap. Baking soda deodorizes and removes tough stains while the castile soap removes dirt and bacteria from the surface of the toilet bowl.

DIY Toilet Bowl Cleaner Recipe

Equal parts baking soda and castile soap are diluted in a cup of water and a bit of essential oils. Use this toilet bowl cleaner to lift stains, deodorize, and remove bacteria and dirt.

MAKE THIS RECIPE

4. Hand Soap

I love making my own liquid hand soap. It’s super easy to make: equal parts water (distilled is best) and castile soap. Add to a soap dispenser bottle and it’s ready to use: add soap to wet hands and create suds as you rub your hands together. Use a foaming soap bottle for the best lather.

Castile soap is highly concentrated and intended to be diluted, making it the best natural hand soap that’s budget-friendly, too.

DIY Foaming Hand Soap Recipe

Make your own foaming hand soap with just two ingredients: equal parts concentrated castile soap and water.

MAKE THIS RECIPE

5. Tub and Sink Cleaner (Scouring Scrub)

This is my favorite way to use castile soap for cleaning!

This scrubbing cleaner is great in the bathroom and also in the kitchen sink. Think of this as a homemade soft scrub natural alternative. You can even use this cleaner on dirty kitchen or bathroom grout: dip an old toothbrush in the mixture, then scrub and watch the brightening and cleaning magic!

Homemade Scouring Scrub Recipe

1 cup of baking soda is mixed with ¼ cup of castile soap to make a thick paste that brightens, deodorizes, and lifts dirt, grease, and bacteria from surfaces. Simply take out a little scoop and scrub it into your sink, tub, or tile grout, then rinse with water.

MAKE THIS RECIPE

6. Floor Cleaner

If you aren’t a fan of vinegar for cleaning hard floors, castile soap to the rescue! This floor cleaner takes seconds to make: just hot water and castile soap. The soap helps lift dirt and bacteria from hard floor surfaces. Dip your mop in the solution and watch your floors sparkle without toxins.

Floor Cleaner Recipe

You only need 2 tablespoons of castile soap in a 2 gallon bucket of warm water. I like to add pine essential oil for nostalgia purposes, or use a few drops of essential oil of choice.

MAKE THIS RECIPE

7. Dusting Spray

One of the best ways to avoid toxic chemicals and synthetic ingredients is to make your own dusting spray. I like to spray this on a dusting cloth and not directly on surfaces to ensure I’m not using too much. A little goes a long way.

Dusting Spray Recipe

Just a touch of castile soap (2 teaspoons), 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and 1 cup of water is all you need to make this DIY recipe. Add a few drops of lemon essential oil, if desired.

MAKE THIS RECIPE

8. Stain Remover

My kids aren’t the only ones who get food and grass stains on their clothes…oops! I’ve tried so called “natural stain removers” from the store and none of them have truly wowed me. So I created a stain remover spray that truly removes stains and costs just pennies to make.

Homemade Stain Remover Recipe

Castile soap does the hard work of loosening stains and then hydrogen peroxide comes in and brightens fabric back up. A great way to pre-treat stains before washing. Simply spray on a stain, scrub, let rest, then wash.

MAKE THIS RECIPE

9. Bathroom Cleaner

You can certainly use the all-purpose spray mentioned above, but I like to add a little bit more to my bathroom spray for an extra boost of cleaning power. To do this, combine baking soda, water, and castile soap for a deodorizing, germ-fighting blend.

All-In-One Bathroom Cleaner Recipe

Add 2 tablespoons of castile soap to 2 cups of distilled water and 1 tablespoon of baking soda. I also increase the essential oils here as tea tree oil can have antibacterial properties that are perfect in this room.

MAKE THIS RECIPE

10. Clean Cutting Boards

Cutting boards are the workhorses of the kitchen. I use a quick squirt of castile soap to help scrub away any visible stains and lift bacteria on my cutting boards. And castile soap is really safe to use on eating and food preparation surfaces.

11. Dishes

There are a lot of blogs and articles out there that mention using castile soap as a dish soap. It’s perfectly fine if you want to use it, and it will work to get dishes clean. To do this, fill the sink with water and add a few squirts of castile soap.

However, in my own experience, I just don’t find that it cuts grease well. I prefer to reach for Sal’s Suds (castile soap’s big brother) when I make my own dish soap. It’s safe and non-toxic, but the chemical makeup means it is a detergent rather than a soap, which is why it works to cut grease on dishes.

12. Liquid Laundry Soap Detergent

Combine borax, washing soda, and liquid castile soap with water to make a money-saving laundry detergent replacement. Add to a load of dirty laundry and watch the soap lift dirt, stains, and stinky odors.

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap Detergent Recipe

Brightens, lifts dirt and fresh stains, and deodorizes. Combine castile soap, washing soda, borax, and water to make this liquid laundry soap. Use between 2 tablespoons and 1/4 cup of soap per load of laundry.

MAKE THIS RECIPE

13. Laundry Soap Powder

If you prefer a powder laundry soap, shred two bars of castile soap (using a cheese grater or food processor) and combine with washing soda to make an effective laundry detergent that’s best used in warm water. If you don’t want to use borax, make a borax-free laundry soap powder with castile soap and salt.

Homemade Powder Laundry Soap Recipe

Made in just five minutes! Shred two bars of castile soap in a food processor or with a cheese grater, then add borax and washing soda.

MAKE THIS RECIPE

14. Produce Wash

Use castile soap to clean vegetables!  Add 1 tablespoon castile soap to 1 gallon of cold water. Add the veggies and fruit, then swish them around in the mixture. Allow to rest for a few minutes in the soapy mixture, then rinse with fresh water and dry.

15. Makeup Brush Cleaner

Breaking out lately? It could be due to dirty makeup brushes that spread dirt and oils on the face. Give your makeup brushes a natural clean with a homemade makeup brush cleaner.

DIY Makeup Brush Cleaner Tutorial

Add a couple drops of soap to a bowl, along with water and witch hazel. Place makeup brushes in the solution and soak for a few minutes. Rinse with water and dry.

MAKE THIS RECIPE

Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid

When cleaning with castile soap it’s important to avoid mistakes that are commonly promoted online and on Pinterest.

1. Never Mix Castile Soap and Acidic Ingredients: Things like vinegar and lemon juice (acidic ingredients) don’t mix with castile soap (a base ingredient). I shared the science behind this in 4 Cleaning Ingredients to Avoid Combining. This is such a popular combination online that leaves behind an oily mess!

2. Castile Soap and Hard Water Warning: If you use a mixture of castile soap and hard water, it will leave behind a white residue on surfaces. This residue can easily be rinsed off with water or a vinegar spray. The easiest way to avoid this is to use distilled water (found in the water section of the store) in castile soap cleaning recipes.

Need more ideas? Learn how to use this soap beyond cleaning with 24 Brilliant Castile Soap Uses for Home and Body. A few of my favorite uses: makeup remover wipes, plant spray, shaving cream, and honey face wash.

More Cleaning Recipes

SEE ALL

DIY Homemade Powder Laundry Detergent (3 Ingredients)

DIY Natural Laundry Scent Booster (Just 2 Ingredients)

Simple Homemade Fabric Softener (4 Ways)

14 Best Natural and Non-Toxic Laundry Detergents

Simple DIY Homemade Candles for Beginners

19 Frugal Natural Cleaning Hacks With Baking Soda

The post Cleaning With Castile Soap (15 How to Use Recipes & Tips) appeared first on Live Simply.

How to Find Non-Toxic, More Natural Laundry Products

According to the Environmental Working Group, “The label on a typical cleaning product is a mix of marketing hype and instructions for use. What’s missing is a list of what’s inside. Cleaning products, unlike foods, beverages, cosmetics and other personal care products, are not required by federal law to carry a list of ingredients. This means that manufacturers have no reason to avoid risky chemicals that happen to clean well – even if they can trigger asthma attacks or skin rashes or are linked to cancer. Without full disclosure, consumers lack key information they need to select cleaning products made with safer ingredients.”

Because of this, it’s hard to know which cleaning products are made with safe ingredients and which products are potentially harmful. Here are 3 tips to help you find non-toxic, more natural laundry products…

• Search for a laundry products rating on either the Environmental Working Group’s website or the Think Dirty App. Both resources are provided by consumer watchdog groups, and neither are perfect but I do believe they’re a great place to start. Both databases will provide you with a score for how the product ranks on their toxicity scale.
• Check out a company’s transparency and disclosure of ingredients. The ingredients should be clearly listed, in full, on the laundry product. Is this company proud of their ingredients? Or, are they trying to distract you from what’s actually inside the bottle by using eye-catching marketing words or describing everything you won’t find in the product. Full disclosure of ingredients is key! It’s the only way we can make an informed choice about our laundry products.
• If you’re unsure about an ingredient, use Google or the EWG’s database to research the ingredient. Chemicals aren’t bad. After all, baking soda, air, and water are chemicals. The goal isn’t to eliminate chemicals. The goal is to use chemicals that are proven to be safe time after time. Too many of the chemicals used in our body and cleaning products can disrupt hormones, cause allergic reactions, etc. (Check out the 7 ingredients I avoid here.)

When you have the tools to educate yourself about ingredients and products, you have the power to make informed choices about what you consume (food), as well as what you use on your body and how you clean your home.

Over the years, I’ve experimented with a number of non-toxic, more natural laundry solutions, from laundry detergent to natural fabric softeners and dryer sheet alternatives. Today, I’m sharing my favorites with you from each of these laundry product categories. If you’re looking to go more natural in the laundry room, these swaps are a great place to start (and may encompass everything you need).

Swap 1: Non-Toxic Laundry Soap or Detergent

This is the hardest area to change, because people (including myself) feel very attached to various brands and scents. I’ve experimented with a ton of laundry soaps over the years, and I’ve landed on a few favorites–ranging from do it yourself soap to safer store-bought detergents.

Here are my current favorites: Branch Basics (a multi-purpose concentrate that can be used for more than just laundry), Molly’s Suds, Better Life, Seventh Generation, Biokleen, and homemade laundry soap. I share about each one, in detail, over here.

As we talked about above in the laundry swap tip, one of the best places to start when making the switch to non-toxic, more natural laundry soap or detergent is to start by avoiding fragranced products. If you choose to use fragranced laundry soap or detergent, check the ingredient list to make sure they’re using essential oils, not mysterious “fragrance.” A natural fragrance won’t linger like you’re used to with Tide or Gain. This is a tell tale sign that the fragrance in your laundry product is made with less-than-desirable ingredients. An essential oil based scent will be subtle and dissipate after washing.

Swap 2: Use Vinegar or Salt For a Fabric Softener

When it comes to a natural fabric softener, there are two great options: vinegar or salt. Both options only require a simple kitchen ingredient.

Option 1: Vinegar

I get it, no ones wants their clothes to smell like salad dressing. Yuck! With the right amount of vinegar, you can achieve naturally soft clothes and towels without the salad dressing scent. To make this option, all you need is vinegar. Just add 1/2 cup of vinegar to each load of laundry. Check out this post for the details.

Option 2: Salt

The inspiration for this option came from reading the back of a Mrs. Meyer’s package. The homemade recipe is made with coarse salt and an optional essential oil, if you want a subtle scent. To make this option, you need: coarse sea salt and (optional) an essential oil for a subtle scent. Combine the ingredients in a jar. To use, add 1/2-1 cup per load of laundry. Check out this post for the details.

Swap 3: Use Dryer Sheet Alternatives

Option 1: Wool Dryer Balls

A few years ago, I started using wool dryer balls as an alternative to dryer sheets. They cut drying time (around 10-25%), keep static down (attach a safety pin to each ball if you have static issues), and reduce wrinkles in clothing. If you want to add a natural scent (to mimic a dryer sheet), add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to each ball. I love lemongrass. You’ll need to repeat this every few loads to maintain the scent.

If you’re a crafty kind of person, you can easily make dryer balls. If not, there are a number of ready-made options on the market. Look for 100% wool balls that are free of any fragrance. I purchased my dryer balls from Amazon.

Option 2: Reusable Dryer Sheets

This option uses vinegar as a fabric softener. This option won’t help with static, but if you want more of a dryer sheet and less of a ball, this is for you. Plus, this option is 100% reusable, just like the dryer balls.

To make your own dryer sheets, you need: 2 cups vinegar, 50 drops cleaning essential oil, 10 8-inch square cloths (such as: baby washcloths, small towels, cut-up old shirts, etc.). Combine the vinegar and essential oil in a storage jar. Add the cloths to the jar, submerging the cloths in the liquid. Add 1-2 cloths to the dryer. The cloths won’t reduce static cling, but will soften laundry and add a fresh scent. Return the cloths to the jar after use. This recipe comes from my cleaning book.

Option 3: Store-Bought Dryer Sheets

If you want to use an actual dryer sheet, from the store, I think the best option out there is from Seventh Generation. Both the scented and unscented versions rate as a B with the Environmental Working Group, and the ingredient list is very transparent. You can find Seventh Generation at most stores, from Target to Whole Foods and Amazon.

More Cleaning Recipes

SEE ALL

DIY Homemade Powder Laundry Detergent (3 Ingredients)

DIY Natural Laundry Scent Booster (Just 2 Ingredients)

Simple Homemade Fabric Softener (4 Ways)

14 Best Natural and Non-Toxic Laundry Detergents

Simple DIY Homemade Candles for Beginners

19 Frugal Natural Cleaning Hacks With Baking Soda

The post How to Go Natural With Every Product in Your Laundry Room appeared first on Live Simply.

If you peeked under my sink a few years ago, you would have counted at least 12 “different” products. I never sat down to calculate how much money I spent on all those products (most of which I didn’t use), but I’m sure the annual cost was quite significant.

After making changes to the way we eat (going from a diet of highly processed food to one of healthy, real food), I started to question the cleaning products used in home. I was curious (just as I was about food): what ingredients were used to create my favorite cleaning products? Why did my favorite beauty products smell a certain way? What ingredients were used to make the products sprayed in my home and layered on my body and were they safe? I also started to question whether so many different cleaning products were essential.

I was shocked to learn that cleaning and body products are not required go through rigorous testing or approval. In fact, cleaning companies are not required to disclose their ingredients (beauty product are required).

When you take a deep dive into researching these products and ingredients, it can be concerning to read about the impact they have on the body. For example, “fragrance” is considered a trade secret that is commonly found on the ingredient list (if disclosed) of products. This ingredient (which can be made with hundreds of different chemicals, including phthalates which disrupt hormones) is top secret and incredibly concerning in terms of toxic ingredients. This is just one example of the concerning ingredients that can be used to make a product.

Sure, maybe a small amount of these ingredients aren’t harmful (as companies say), but when you consider how many products we use in a day (or week or month), we aren’t using a trace amount of these chemicals in our homes and on our bodies. We’re burdening our systems with all these ingredients and the cumulative effect of using so many potentially-toxic chemicals.

You’ll find a lot of natural and green marketing words used to describe cleaning and body products today. These terms have no regulation, so full transparency of ingredients is all we have to help us navigate products and make informed choices.

A company should be completely transparent about their sourcing and ingredients, particularly a company that claims (on a website or packaging) to be “natural” or “non-toxic.” There should be nothing to hide. Instead, such a company should be proud to disclose their ingredients. This includes companies making both body and cleaning products.

At the time (remember, this was 9 years ago), there weren’t many transparent brands on the market making ready-to-use, multi-purpose cleaning products, so I decided to research the idea of making my own products. My research led to the discovery of a natural product that cleans anything and everything: castile soap.

What is Castile Soap?

Castile soap is a plant-based soap made from vegetable oils (olive, coconut, palm) and plant oils. Here’s the exact definition and ingredient list from Dr. Bronner’s  (a popular castile soap brand).

“Castile soap is a concentrated vegetable-based soap with easy to recognize ingredients:Water, Organic Coconut Oil, Potassium Hydroxide, Organic Palm Kernel Oil, Organic Olive Oil, Lavandin Extract, Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Lavender Extract, Citric Acid, Tocopherol.” 

Want to learn more?  In this guide, learn everything you need to know about this traditional soap, how to use it, 7 amazing benefits, the best brands, and warnings.

History of Castile Soap

Castile soap isn’t a new fad. It’s been around since the 11th century and was first made in the Aleppo of the Levant region (modern day Syria). The Crusaders learned about this soap which was, eventually, duplicated in Europe without success. That is, until a region in Spain (called Castile) was able to get the recipe right and successfully made what we know today as “castile soap.” The soap became popular with Spanish royalty and eventually by the 1500’s made its way to England.

3 Reasons to Use This Soap

Besides being an ancient and traditional soap, there are several reasons why castile soap is awesome…

• Super Versatile: Castile soap is super versatile. You can make cleaning and body products with the same soap.
• Inexpensive: A 32-ounce bottle of castile soap will cost $17. Yes, this is more expensive than a bottle of all-purpose cleaner, but it will last you for months! Castile soap is highly concentrated so a little bit goes a long way.
• Non-Toxic: Castile soap is made with easy to recognize, simple, non-toxic ingredients. This is why you can use it on your skin and the surfaces in your home.

How to Use Castile Soap

When using castile soap to make household cleaners, there are a few things to keep in mind…

• Dilute: Castile soap isn’t meant to be used as-is, unless you’re buying the bar soap for your body. It’s intended to be diluted before use. This chart is a great cheat sheet.
• Don’t Mix Castile Soap with Vinegar: I see this all the time on Pinterest. Please do not mix your castile soap with vinegar. You will not make an amazing cleaner. You’ll end up with a mess. When combined, vinegar (an acid) and castile soap (a base) cancel each other and create unsaponified soap. This reaction reduces the soap back to its original oils. If you try mixing the two ingredients you’ll immediately notice the castile soap curdles and feels very oily.
• Castile Soap is Safe for Most Surfaces: Unlike vinegar (which shouldn’t be used on marble or granite or unsealed wood), castile soap is safe to use on most surfaces in your home. The only one caution I would advise is to avoid using castile soap on waxed floors to avoid build-up.
• Castile Soap is Skin Safe: It’s not only safe for most surfaces, but also safe to use on the skin. Just be sure to dilute.

Where to Buy Castile Soap

You’ll find castile soap in most stores, from Target to Walmart to Whole Foods and the down-the-street grocery store. Many times, castile soap won’t be found in the cleaning section, so be sure to check the body care section. You can also buy castile soap on Amazon.

I recommend Dr. Bronner’s brand. I’ve tried other brands in the past, but haven’t been pleased with most options. Dr. Bronner’s makes several options for scents. I prefer the baby mild since I can add my own essential oils (for scent or additional antibacterial properties) or just go free of any scent. If you want to try a scented castile soap (the scents are completely natural and not made with the hormone disrupting ingredients found in “fragrance”), here’s what I recommend…

For cleaning products: Lavender, Tea Tree or Citrus

For beauty products: Lavender, Tea Tree or Baby Mild

7 Money-Saving Recipes Using Castile Soap

I don’t make all of these products today (9 years after I learned about castile soap and started making products at home). There are quite a few store-bought options now on the market, so most of my skincare is from brands I love and trust. I still make the most of my own cleaning products with laundry soap being the one exception. I find that making my own cleaning products to be the most affordable option for natural cleaning.

This list is to give you an idea of all the different products you can make with one bottle of castile soap. Using this one ingredient to make multiple products saves money and allows you to know exactly what’s going into your products.

1. All-Purpose Cleaner Spray

My favorite cleaning product that will clean nearly every surface in your home. Use this cleaner in your bathroom and kitchen, your sinks, stovetops, even your toilets.

• 2 cups distilled water
• 2 TB liquid castile soap
• 15 drops essential of choice, such as: lavender, tea tree, orange, or peppermint
• 16-ounce glass spray bottle

Pour the water into the spray bottle (use a funnel, if needed). Add the castile soap and essential oil. Gentle shake the cleaner. This cleaner may be stored at room temperature.

2. Hand Soap

With two active kiddos we go through a lot of hand soap in our house. A bottle of natural hand soap costs $3.99-$6 a bottle, depending on the brand. One 32-ounce bottle of castile soap makes approximately 8 homemade bottles of hand soap. If you don’t like the liquid feel of this hand soap, use a foaming hand soap dispenser instead of a regular soap dispenser.

• 1/2 cup distilled water
• 1/2 cup liquid castile soap
• 1 TB sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, avocado, or olive oil (optional, for moisturizing)
• 15 drops tea tree essential oil (optional, for bacteria-fighting properties)
• 5-10 drops lavender essential oil (optional, for bacteria-fighting properties)
• soap dispenser or foaming soap dispenser bottle

More Recipe Ideas

SEE ALL RECIPES

DIY Homemade Powder Laundry Detergent (3 Ingredients)

DIY Toilet Bowl Cleaner (Just 3 Ingredients!)

How to Make DIY Homemade All-Purpose Surface Cleaners 

DIY Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent (3 Ingredients)

DIY Homemade Stain Remover Recipe For Clothes

Cleaning With Castile Soap (15 How to Use Recipes & Tips)

The post 7 Money-Saving Recipes Using Castile Soap appeared first on Live Simply.

I hear ya! The internet probably doesn’t need more homemade laundry soap recipes. And Pinterest certainly doesn’t.

Yet, here I am writing and sharing another homemade laundry soap recipe. It’s all for good reason. Stick with me…

When my family began making the switch to natural products, many years ago, it was hard to find products made with safer ingredients. I was determined to stop using toxic products, so the homemade route was the only option for switching out a number of products. Laundry soap was one of these products.

At the time, there were a number of recipes online for homemade laundry soap using Fels Naptha. I didn’t want to use this particular soap, so I subbed in a natural option, castile soap. I was so impressed with the end result that I ended up creating, and later sharing, both a liquid and powder version.

The recipes have lived on Live Simply for a number of years now. Many reader friends have made the recipes and been just as pleased with the results. I’ve also received a number of requests for a “no Borax” laundry soap, since both recipes rely on Borax as an active ingredient.

Borax is a fantastic cleaning ingredient, and one that I feel perfectly safe using in my home. Of course, just like any ingredient, if you don’t use it properly (i.e. eating Borax) you could face some potential harm. I personally take the stance that Borax, when used properly, is a great cleaning product. (Wellness Mama wrote a helpful article about her stance, too.) Others don’t share my opinion, and I’m cool with that. We all need to make our own informed decisions. 

Today’s laundry soap recipe (laundry soap recipe number 3 on Live Simply, and probably the last laundry soap recipe to be shared here) is similar to my other recipes with the exception of Borax.

After much testing, I believe this laundry soap powder cleans just as well as the other recipes on the blog. Instead of Borax, this recipe uses a combination of washing soda and baking soda to freshen and clean clothes. Castile soap lifts dirt and fresh stains, washing soda increases the cleaning power of the soap and helps to lift dirt and stains as well as eliminate odors, baking soda softens garments and eliminates odors, and salt cleans and naturally softens garments.  The laundry soap works just as good as more natural store-bought options. 

And speaking of store-bought laundry soap, there are quite a few safe, more natural options on the market today. So if you want to purchase laundry soap instead of going the DIY route, awesome! 

A natural lifestyle isn’t about “doing it all” or “making it all.” Living a more natural lifestyle is just as much about simplifying as it is about getting rid of toxic products. It’s important to be intentional about what you want or need to make, what you can live without (I don’t think anyone is going to live without laundry soap), and what you can purchase from the store or a market.

Personally, I choose to purchase laundry soap from the store 99% of the time. This isn’t because I don’t like homemade laundry soap, or because it’s not effective. I would rather spend my time making something else, or spending time with my family.

I’m thankful for the increase in more natural store-bought options. I’m going to share more about my favorite store-bought options in a couple of months (part of the Switching to Natural Products Series). For now, here’s a few of the products that make my current favorite list: Optimist Co., BioKleen, Better Life, Seventh Generation Free & Clear.

Print

(No-Borax) Homemade Laundry Soap with Natural Laundry Softener

Homemade laundry soap made with natural ingredients. This easy-to-make laundry soap can be used just like a powder store-bought soap. 

Course DIY

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword Laundry Soap

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 4 cups

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1 5-ounce castile soap bar unscented, or your favorite scented variety
• 1 cup washing soda
• 1 cup baking soda
• 1 cup kosher salt
• 30-40 drops essential oil optional*, example: 15 drops eucalyptus and 15 drops lavender

Special Equipment:

• food processor alternatively use a cheese grater and large bowl
• towel optional
• storage container with a lid large enough to hold 5 cups of powder

Instructions

• Cut the bar into small, thin slices.
• Place the soap chunks in a food processor bowl.
• Pulse until the soap resembles small crumbles (almost like finely crumbled feta cheese). Alternatively, shred the soap with a sharp cheese grater into a large bowl. 
• Add the remaining ingredients to the food processor, and place a dish towel over the processor bowl (optional, if you find the powder is circulating in the air). Pulse until the ingredients are well combined and the mixture resembles a fine powder.
• Add the essential oil, if using. Place the dish towel over the bowl again. And pulse for just a few seconds to combine.
• Pour the soap into a storage container with a lid. The soap will keep for at least 6 months.

To Use:

• Stir or shake the soap before use. Scoop 1-2 tablespoons (for HE machines) or ¼ cup for top-loaders, and add directly to the clothes in the washer (not the soap dispenser). Use the warmest water possible for your clothing. See the troubleshooting tips below for more help. 

More Cleaning Recipes

SEE ALL

DIY Homemade Powder Laundry Detergent (3 Ingredients)

DIY Natural Laundry Scent Booster (Just 2 Ingredients)

Simple Homemade Fabric Softener (4 Ways)

14 Best Natural and Non-Toxic Laundry Detergents

Simple DIY Homemade Candles for Beginners

19 Frugal Natural Cleaning Hacks With Baking Soda

The post (No Borax) Homemade Powder Laundry Soap with Natural Fabric Softener appeared first on Live Simply.

Since our family made the transition from processed food to real food, I’ve had to learn my way around a formerly abandoned area of our home: the kitchen.

Over the past few years, I’ve learned how to pick up, wash, roast, and even de-bone a whole chicken without even wincing. (Just for background, I ate a vegan diet for a couple of years, and before that our life consisted of frozen “food” and drive-thru windows.) I’ve also discovered how to combine a few simple ingredients to create homemade salad dressings. And I’ve even embraced quinoa and kale.

Big changes have happened in this tiny kitchen of mine, and all for the better. Our family is healthier, happier, and our life is simpler. All thanks to one decision to change our eating habits.

With all of these amazing food changes, I’ve discovered one big downfall to home-cooking: grease stains! Can you just hear my moaning and groaning as I utter those words: grease stains! The horror!

I can’t think of anything more frustrating when it comes to working in the kitchen than joyfully making a homemade dressing, or breathing in the amazing aroma of bacon cooking, only to find a giant grease stain from the oil or fat splattered all over my favorite capsule wardrobe shirt. Where did THIS come from?

In my defense, I wouldn’t necessarily call myself clumsy, but somehow grease stains always, always find their way onto my favorite shirts. Just like homemade spaghetti sauce always finds its way onto my favorite white shirt. I should probably just stop wearing white in the kitchen, especially on spaghetti night. Anyway, back to grease stains. We already conquered spaghetti stains a few months ago when I shared my homemade stain remover spray. It’s a mom’s best friend!

So, what’s a real food gal to do?

The answer: Test every “more natural” grease-fighting solution ever recommended on the internet and in homemaking books. And invest in a good apron ;).

Over the last couple of years, I’ve tested many different grease-fighting solutions, from vinegar to baking soda (of course, not combined), to homemade pastes and fancy spray cleaners. Nothing has been able to completely remove grease stains. As it turns out, the answer was far simpler, and could be found in my natural cleaning toolkit.

The answer?

Sal Suds!

Sal Suds has been the best “more natural” solution I’ve used to remove grease stains, and the process of using Sal Suds to remove grease stains on my shirts and shorts couldn’t be any easier. First, let’s take a look at Sal Suds before I share how to remove grease stains and save your favorite shirt!

Sal Suds is Dr. Bronner’s tougher version of soap, although its chemical makeup makes it a detergent, not a soap, which is why I believe it works so well to remove tough grease stains. Sal Suds is formulated to conquer tough cleaning projects: unforgiving grease and stubborn dirt.  Sal Suds is a hot topic in the natural community, so it remains a product that some use and others stay away from. What’s all the fuss about? Sal Suds receives an A on the Environmental Working Group’s website. You can read more about the big SLS debate and Sal Suds on Lisa Bronner’s blog.

While I love castile soap, there are times when I need a “more natural” option that packs extra oomph, and that’s when I turn to Sal Suds. I use Sal Suds to make dish soap, clean a dirty tub, and remove grease stains from my clothes. If you don’t have any Sal Suds on hand, and you need to remove a grease stain right now, I recommend trying liquid castile soap. While I haven’t had as much success with castile soap, it’s better than feeling hopeless about that grease stain on your blouse.

Let’s conquer and remove some grease…

Print

Laundry Hack: How to Remove Grease Stains

Sal Suds has been the best “more natural” solution I’ve used to remove grease stains, and the process of using Sal Suds to remove grease stains on my shirts and shorts couldn’t be any easier.

Course How To

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword How to Remove Grease Stains

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 application

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• Sal Suds or liquid castile soap–see note below

Instructions

• Rub a small amount of Sal Suds on a fresh grease stain, using a towel or your hand to thoroughly rub the grease area with the soap. It’s important that the soap saturates and completely covers the grease stain.
• Let the Sal Suds rest for at least 30 minutes-12 hours (I usually let the soap sit on the grease stain for the full 12 hours, which causes the soap to fully dry.), then wash the garment in hot water in the washing machine with laundry soap.
• Before drying your garment, check the grease stain to make sure it’s completely gone. If not, apply the Sal Suds again and allow for more resting time. Repeat the washing cycle again until the grease stain is completely gone. The key to fighting a grease stain is to never dry a garment in the dryer until the grease stain has been removed. Drying a garment sets the grease stain, which is trickier to fully remove. That said, I’ve successfully removed grease stains using Sal Suds and a 12 hour rest time even after drying a garment.

Ingredient Notes

You can find Sal Suds (or castile soap) at most health food stores, online, and some conventional stores.

While I love castile soap, there are times when I need a “more natural” option that packs extra oomph, and that’s when I turn to Sal Suds. I use Sal Suds to make dish soap, clean a dirty tub, and remove grease stains from my clothes. If you don’t have any Sal Suds on hand, and you need to remove a grease stain right now, I recommend trying castile soap. While I haven’t had as much success with castile soap, it’s better than feeling hopeless about that grease stain on your blouse.

This post isn’t sponsored by Dr. Bronner’s, the maker of Sal Suds. It’s truly the only “more natural” option I’ve found to work when I need to remove grease stains from garments.

More Cleaning Recipes

SEE ALL

DIY Homemade Powder Laundry Detergent (3 Ingredients)

DIY Natural Laundry Scent Booster (Just 2 Ingredients)

Simple Homemade Fabric Softener (4 Ways)

14 Best Natural and Non-Toxic Laundry Detergents

Simple DIY Homemade Candles for Beginners

19 Frugal Natural Cleaning Hacks With Baking Soda

The post Laundry Hack: How to Remove Grease Stains appeared first on Live Simply.

After sharing a multitude of cleaning recipes both here on the blog and in the DIY Natural Cleaning Challenge, it’s time to piece each recipe together and talk about what natural cleaning looks like in my home.

Today’s chat is intended to be a sneak peek or mini tour showcasing what I’m currently using to clean my home. During our tour, I’ll share about the main areas in our home, and the products I use to clean each area. As we talk about the products I use, I’ll place an asterisk next to the product if it’s currently used in multiple areas of the house.

Let’s get started!

I spend a ton of time in my kitchen due to work responsibilities for the blog and freelance projects (testing and retesting recipes) and feeding my family. My kitchen is definitely my number one priority when it comes to cleaning. Our kitchen features sealed butcherblock counters, open shelving, white bottom cabinets, a ceramic farm sink and subway tile back-splash, and stainless steel appliances. It’s a small space that receives a lot of daily attention.

Our dining room overlooks the kitchen area, so I’m also including this room in the “The Kitchen” category. Our dining room is a simple space with a white dining room table and chairs and a coffee bar.

1. Vinegar or Castile All-Purpose Spray*

I go between using the vinegar cleaner and the castile soap cleaner, depending on which ingredient I currently have in my pantry. Personally, I prefer the vinegar cleaner since it also works great on my stainless steel appliances, dusting the open shelving, cleaning counter-tops, disinfecting the sink, and degreasing the stove-top. This cleaner definitely lives up to its all-purpose title, since I use it on just about every surface in my kitchen, including my dining room table.

2. Oven Cleaner 

My oven is dirty 99.9% of the time. My oven is more of a commercial oven at this point, along with my kitchen, due to the amount of recipe testing and photography work that comes out of this appliance (and the space) on a daily basis. I try to clean it at least every three months, just to keep it from getting so bad that I don’t want to open the door when guests come over. A baking soda paste has been the best solution for my oven since it’s tough on grease.

3. Dish Soap

My favorite dish soap recipe isn’t on the blog, but can be found in my cleaning book (1/2 cup water + 1 tablespoon white vinegar+ 1/2 cup Sal Suds + 1 tablespoon moisturizing oil: jojoba, sweet almond, or olive oil. Simply combine all the ingredients in a pump bottle). I keep this soap in a glass soap dispenser next to my sink and use it for both hand-washing and dish-washing.

4. Dishwasher Detergent

Dishwasher detergent is a product that I currently choose to purchase from the store. (Remember our what to make versus buy chat a while back?) The best “more natural” store-bought product I’ve found is Seventh Generation’s Powder Dishwasher Detergent.

5. Sink Scrub*

Most of the time I simply use a lemon cut in half to clean my sink. It’s amazing how such a simple ingredient makes my white sink sparkle and shine. After washing the dishes, I rub the lemon over the surface of the sink (sometimes with a bit of salt sprinkled on top). If the sink needs a deep clean, a generous sprinkle of toilet bowl cleaner powder and a scrub brush washes away any grease or dirt buildup.

Next up, our bathrooms. Our home was built in the ’60s, and just from observing the size of our bathrooms, it’s clear that builders and homeowners didn’t feel like having room for more than one person at a time was important. Our bathrooms are super small, poorly ventilated, and one is bright pink. Our bathrooms are about to go through the remodeling process this summer, like our kitchen did last year (it’s a real life Fixer Upper show around here, just without Joanna and Chip). Right now, we have one full bathroom with a tub and shower, and a half bathroom. The full bathroom definitely demands the most cleaning attention.

1. Vinegar or Castile All-Purpose Spray*

As mentioned earlier, I go between using the vinegar cleaner and the castile soap cleaner, depending on which ingredient I currently have in my pantry. I use this spray on our tile walls, counter-tops, in the sinks, and around the toilets.

2. Tub Scrub

This scrub is awesome, and it’s perfect for a dirty tub. For routine cleaning, I stick with my all-purpose spray (above) in our tub, but when the tub needs that extra something (once a month), this tub scrub is my go-to product. At the moment, I don’t make the full recipe; rather, I cut the recipe in half for a one-time use.

3. Glass Cleaner*

Our full bathroom mirror is a toothpaste splatter magnet. This glass cleaner is the perfect solution. I also use this glass cleaner to clean the windows in our home.

4. Mildew Spray

Mildew is a huge issue in the shower of our full bathroom due to poor ventilation. This issue will be fixed with the upcoming remodel. For now, I use a simple vinegar mildew spray every few days to keep the mildew from taking over.

5. Sink and Toilet Bowl Cleaner*

This is the same powder I use to occasionally deep clean my kitchen sink. I sprinkle this powder in my bathroom sinks and the toilets. In the sink, I simply scrub the powder over the surface and then rinse it off with water. In the toilet, I sprinkle the powder inside the toilet bowl, let it rest, and then scrub the bowl with a toilet bowl brush.

I’m going to lump the rest of our home into this giant “General House Cleaning” category. The rest of our home consists of four bedrooms, technically we use two as bedrooms and two as office/studio rooms. The bedrooms are filled with your average bedroom/office stuff: desks, beds, and dressers. We have a cozy living room with white slip cover couches, a built in bookshelf, a few wood furniture pieces, a gallery wall of photos/typography, a cream jute area rug, and a giant white armoire. Throughout our entire home we have a mix of “hardwood” tile and carpet.

1. Floor Cleaner

I’m currently using a simple blend of castile soap, hot water, and a few drops of essential oil to mop our “hardwood” tile floors. I only mop our floors every two weeks with a microfiber mop (and the castile soap solution), and I sweep daily. Our carpet is vacuumed every two weeks as well. I also use this cleaner with a microfiber cloth to clean our baseboards.

2. Dusting

I love my washable duster, and use it to dust everything from fans to air vents. When I need a spray cleaner, I use a simple blend of castile soap and water for a homemade dusting spray.

3. Stain Remover

We have a white (slipcover) couch and chair in our living room. We also have two kids and two dogs. Enough said. Sometimes a stain remover is needed. Most of the time, just a spritz of 100% hydrogen peroxide or vinegar will remove a stain. But sometimes, I’ll make a bottle of easy stain remover. I don’t keep this stain remover in my cleaning toolkit, because I don’t need it regularly, but I always have the ingredients on hand.

4. Carpet Deodorizer

We have two little dogs, which means I’m constantly concerned that our house smells like dogs live here (because they do!). Once a month, I sprinkle baking soda and a few drops of essential oil over our rugs and carpet, let it rest for 30 minutes, and then vacuum away any odors.

5. Window Cleaner*

I use this window cleaner (the same recipe used in the bathroom for mirrors) to help our windows sparkle and shine.

Eventually, just about anything that can be washed in a tub of water will find its way into my “laundry room.” I don’t have an actual room for laundry in our home, but let’s just stick with the idea. Our washer and dryer are vintage (that’s a nice way to say older in 2016, right?!), and they work very hard to keep our family happy and clean.

1. Laundry Soap Powder

Depending on our current season of life (travel, work projects, etc.), I go between “more natural” store-bought laundry detergent and homemade laundry soap. Right now, homemade laundry soap powder is sitting on my washing machine. This powder is amazing–it cleans and deodorizes!

2. Dryer Balls

I’m not a crafty person, and I definitely can’t sew anything, so homemade dryer balls (made from wool) really intimidated me at first. I finally decided to try making a batch, and I’m so glad I took the risk. They are super easy to make. I use my dryer balls in place of dyer sheets.

It may seem like I make and use many different cleaning products in my home, but when you look at each product, you’ll also notice that many of the ingredients are the same (just with different combos or ratios). Natural cleaning isn’t something that’s meant to tricky, time-consuming, or complicated. Just about every single product that I use can be mixed together “on the spot” in less than five minutes.

You may also notice that I’m not currently using every recipe on the blog to clean my home. There are so many different ways to clean a home, and each recipe on the blog represents products I’ve used over the years and truly love. I pick and choose my cleaning products based on our current cleaning needs. I would encourage you to browse the cleaning archives on the blog (or download my cleaning book) to find the recipes that will work for your home and current cleaning needs.

While I love making cleaners, I know there are seasons in life when making cleaners (or cleaning your home) just isn’t possible. Friend, it’s okay, I totally understand. If you’re interested in finding “cleaner” store-bought products, I highly recommend checking out the EWG’s Database. If you’d like to make or purchase natural cleaning products, but don’t have the time to clean and need to hire a cleaning service, I know from speaking with many different services in our area that some companies will allow you to provide your own cleaning products. Most of these companies also require that you sign a release form so they aren’t liable for product mishaps or usage issues.

Switching to natural cleaning products doesn’t need to be complicated or exhausting. Simply start with the products you most often use in your home and start making one small change. Small, practical changes are the building blocks to a doable long-term natural lifestyle.

The post How I Clean My Home Naturally: A Cleaning Tour appeared first on Live Simply.