How to make homemade green laundry detergent

Doing laundry has quite an impact on the environment.  Aside from the heavy use of water and energy, simply washing a load of clothes introduces unnecessary chemicals, dyes, and perfumes into the ecosystem, polluting the soil, and eventually the water.  A homemade green laundry detergent is not only eco-friendly, but it will save you money as well.  Try this simple recipe for homemade laundry detergent.  The essential oils are optional; try using different kinds for different environmentally-safe, non-toxic aromas.  Eucalyptus is refreshing and destroys dust mites, lavender is soothing, cinnamon bark is invigorating. 

The ingredients:

• bar soap — use a natural, vegetable oil-based soap, glycerin soap is usually inexpensive
• borax — borax is a natural mineral with awesome cleaning power
• washing soda — similar to baking soda, washing soda is sodium carbonate, being very alkaline in nature, it helps lift stains
• natural essential oils — essential oils are the highly concentrated extractions from plants, full with medicinal benefits and beautiful aromas, they are non-toxic, and completely safe for the environment

Homemade green laundry detergent recipe

Grate two bars of soap into a sealable plastic container (this will hold the detergent).  Add one cup of washing soda, and one cup of borax.  Mix all ingredients well, seal, and store.  When washing a load of clothes, add one to to tablespoons, depending on how dirty the laundry is.  Add four or five drops of essential oil of choice. 

photo by Malias