Here’s a few easy recipes for some great homemade laundry products. With a few simple ingredients, you can make detergents, fabric softeners, and even linen freshening sprays that will leave your clothes smelling fresh and clean (and with the cost effective savings, your pockets feeling full!). Let’s do some laundry!
Powder Detergent:
Ingredients-
- 16 cups baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
- 12 cups Borax
- 8 cups soap flakes
- 3 tablespoons of essential oil (a scent you like)
Directions-
Combine ingredients and mix with a wire wisk. Use 1/8 cup per load of laundry. This recipe makes enough to last a family of 4 about one year! Wow!
*Reduce recipe by 1/4 for a smaller batch.
Fabric Softener:
Ingredients-
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup baking soda
- 2 cups white vinegar
- 20 drops essential oil of choice (lavender is always great for fabric- but choose a scent that you enjoy)
Directions-
Combine ingredients starting with the baking soda, water, and essential oil. Make sure you use a container large enough to accommodate the reaction of the baking soda and the vinegar (remember the volcano experiment in science class?!). Add the vinegar SLOWLY. Allow the bubbling and fizzing to subside and transfer to a more size appropriate container. Use 1/2 cup during the rinse cycle or soak a washcloth in the mixture and toss it in the dryer with your wet clothes.
Linen Spray:
Ingredients-
- 1/4 cup vodka
- 3 1/2 cups filtered water
- 20 drops essential oil of choice
- Spray top bottle
Directions-
Mix vodka and oil together first, then add water. The alcohol acts as an emulsifier allowing the oil and water to mix evenly. Pour the vodka and oil mixture into your spray bottle, add water, and shake. Spray on clothing, towels, and curtains to freshen! Don’t forget to shake before each use.
Let us know if you make this recipe or any others from our blog!
Looking for the best essential oils? Check out our website for the best essential oils and organic essential oils for crafting, soap making, candle making, and more!
Bulk Apothecary makes no claims of “expert status” and the company will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the use of the information found on this website.
As with all products, users should test a small amount prior to normal extended use. If pregnant or suffering from illness, consult a doctor before use.
What do you recommend for ‘soap flakes’? Do you mean I should grate or flake one of the melt-and-pour soap bases from the website? Thanks for the recipe.