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Why Make Your Own Detergent?
- Cost-effective: You can make a large batch (up to 12 liters!) for a fraction of the cost of store-bought brands.
- Customizable: Add your preferred scent or go fragrance-free for sensitive skin.
- Eco-friendly: Reduce plastic waste and avoid harsh chemicals that can harm waterways.
- Effective: This formula is designed to target stains and leave your clothes fresh and clean.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 bar of laundry soap (such as Zote, Fels-Naptha, or any mild soap)
- 1 cup of washing soda (sodium carbonate—not baking soda!)
- 1 cup of borax (optional but great for boosting stain removal)
- Hot water
- Essential oils (optional, for fragrance—lavender, lemon, or eucalyptus work well)
- A large container (12-15 liters capacity or multiple smaller containers)
Instructions:
- Grate the soap bar.
Use a cheese grater or food processor to finely grate the laundry soap. This helps it dissolve faster in water. - Dissolve the soap.
In a large pot, bring about 4 cups of water to a boil. Slowly stir in the grated soap and lower the heat, stirring until the soap is fully dissolved. - Add the boosters.
Once the soap has melted, add the washing soda and borax. Stir well until everything is completely dissolved. - Dilute the mixture.
Pour the soap mixture into a large bucket or container. Slowly add hot water to the mix, filling up to about 12 liters (or as preferred for concentration). Stir well to combine. - Let it set.
Allow the mixture to sit for 24 hours. It may thicken or gel up—this is normal. Stir or shake before each use. - Add essential oils (optional).
After the detergent has set, add 20–30 drops of essential oils if you want a natural fragrance boost. Stir again. -
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