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In the same way that many businesses have been transitioning to a more eco-conscious mindset, so have many families. One easy way to transition to natural living is by replacing store bought products with homemade items, so you can oversee concentration and elimination of extraneous ingredients.

Why switch to a natural laundry soap? Depending on the type, conventional laundry detergent can contain different amounts of chemicals like sulfates, fragrances, phenols, and more. For consumers with sensitive skin or allergies, ingredients that are benign for most can cause serious problems. Luckily, making your own laundry detergent is an easy and fast process! You only need three basic ingredients to make either a powdered or liquid soap.

Borax: A naturally occurring mineral.

Washing Soda: Also called Soda Ash, this helps remove oils and residue.

Grated Bar Soap: If you want to keep your soap as additive free as possible, look for options such as Dr. Bronners or homemade options like coconut oil laundry soap.

(Optional) Essential Oil: If you like a little scent, essential oils are a great non-chemical way to add long-lasting fragrance.

Homemade laundry detergent isn’t for everyone. It requires a time commitment, both in obtaining the ingredients and creating the washing solution, as opposed to the convenience of picking up a bottle at the store. But if going green is on your list, it’s an easy household switch to make.

Step by step Guide to making your own Soap (Detergent):

Traditionally detergent

1. Grate the 1 bar of soap into fine particles that would dissolve easily. A hand grater, microplane, or food processor would speed up the process.
2. Place grated soap in a pan, combining with 2 quarts water, and gradually heat until soap is completely dissolved.
3. Put 4.5 gallons of hot water into a 5-gallon bucket, and stir in 1 cup of borax and 1 cup of washing soda.
4. Pour soap mixture into the bucket, stir until all ingredients are dissolved and combined.
5. Cover and leave overnight, then pour into gallon jugs or other air-tight containers.
6. Use ½ to 1 cup per load.

High-efficiency, or HE detergent

1. Grate the 1 bar of soap into fine particles that would dissolve easily. A hand grater, microplane, or food processor would speed up the process.
2. Carefully mix grated soap with 1 cup washing soda and 1 cup borax, using gloves and a spoon as these can be drying if in contact with exposed skin.
3. If you choose, add approximately 20 drops of essential oils and stir.
4. Store in an air-tight glass jar, using 1-2 tablespoons per load.

Don’t want to make your own? Commercial brands are also stepping up their game, offering limited ingredient and fragrance free products that are starting to arrive on store shelves. What’s your favorite laundry product? For all your commercial laundry needs, from uniforms to linens to mops, SITEX can make sure you never miss a laundry day.