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. 

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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

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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

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The post DIY Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent (3 Ingredients) 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

Before we start, I created the Natural Cleaning Challenge to help you easily ditch toxic cleaners and start using natural cleaning products in just 5 days. This challenge is completely free and packed full of helpful information. Over 5 days, via email, I’ll walk you through what to avoid in cleaning products (even the “natural” and “green” ones can have icky ingredients so I’ll give you the tools to see through the marketing gimmicks), how to stock a natural cleaning caddy, and a few essential DIY cleaning recipes.

11 Natural Cleaning Product Swaps Anyone Can Make Today

The 11 swaps on today’s list are designed to serve as a guide for everyone making the switch to natural cleaning products, whether you’re just starting out or have already made some swaps. Why focus on making these natural product swaps? Most of the products on this list are products that many people use the home on a regular basis. Since they’re a “regular” product, this means they’re being sprayed, poured, and burned (like candles) on a daily or weekly basis.

Swap 1: Air Fresheners

Add essential oils to homemade cleaning products, add an essential oil or blend of different essential oils to an essential oil diffuser (this is my favorite), create a simmer pot on the stove-top using rosemary, cinnamon sticks, orange peels and water then simmer the mixture on a low simmer (do not leave unattended). If you’re new to essential oils, check out this podcast episode on essential oils 101.

Swap 2: Scented Candles

Make beeswax or soy candles (use this slow-cooker method, make candles on the stove-top, or make super easy taper candles) or buy 100% beeswax or soy candles that are unscented or use essential oils for a scent.

Swap 3: Fragranced Laundry Detergents

Use fragrance-free laundry soap, choose a brand that uses essential oils for scent and fully discloses ingredients (my favorite non-toxic laundry soap brands), or make your own laundry soap (try this liquid laundry soap recipe or this powder soap recipe).

Swap 4: Bleach

Use a homemade bleach alternative for whitening garments, for surfaces use an all purpose cleaner spray (I love this vinegar all purpose cleaner or this no-vinegar all purpose cleaner), and for the toilet use this homemade toilet bowl cleaner.

Swap 5: Store-Bought All Purpose Cleaner

Make your own all purpose cleaner with either castile soap or vinegar. It’s one of the easiest DIY swaps you can make to clean a variety of surfaces.

For an all purpose vinegar cleaner, combine 1 cup distilled water, 1 cup white vinegar or homemade orange vinegar, 15-20 drops essential oil of choice (if desired). Add all the ingredients to a glass spray bottle. For an all purpose cleaner without vinegar, add 2 cups distilled water to a glass spray bottle, followed by 2 tablespoons liquid castile soap or 1 teaspoon Sal Suds and 15-20 drops essential oil of choice (if desired). If you prefer the store-bought route, check out this post for my top non-toxic all purpose cleaner suggestions.

Swap 6: Windex

Use a spray made with rubbing alcohol, vinegar, and distilled water to clean windows, mirrors, and even stainless surfaces. Make a glass and mirror cleaner by combining 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol and 1/3 cup white vinegar in a 16-ounce spray bottle, then top off the bottle with distilled water. If you’d prefer to not use rubbing alcohol, skip it and use 1/2 cup of vinegar instead. Spray on a glass surface and wipe with a microfiber cloth.

Swap 7: Easy Off Oven Cleaner

Use a combo of castile soap and baking soda. Mix the ingredients together until they form a paste, then use a sponge to apply the mixture to the interior surface of the oven. Let the mixture rest for 30 minutes or a few hours, then use a wet cloth to rinse the surface and follow up by spraying the surface with vinegar and wiping clean until all residue has been removed.

Swap 8: Pledge or PineSol Floor Cleaner

Fill a bucket with water and castile soap or vinegar to wash hard floors. Here’s my favorite hard floor cleaner with vinegar and my favorite hard floor cleaner with castile soap.

Swap 9: Dawn Dish Soap

Make a Sal Suds dish soap or castile soap dish soap or use a non-toxic brand (such as Seventh Generation–> here’s a list of my favorite non-toxic dish soap and dishwasher options).

Swap 10: Cascade Dishwasher Detergent

Use a non-toxic brand (such as Ecover or Better Life–> here’s a list of my favorite non-toxic options) or make your own (I share a recipe in DIY Natural Cleaning).

Swap 11: Dryer Sheets

Use fragrance-free dryer sheets (Seventh Generation is a good option) or wool dryer balls (make dryer balls or buy dryer balls). If you have an issue with static, which is common with polyester clothing, add a safety pin to a wool dryer ball to reduce this static.

I know a lot of people also use fabric softener. Choose a fabric softener that’s fragrance free or go the homemade route by making laundry softener salts or use vinegar.

7 Cleaning Ingredients to Avoid

In the US, cleaning companies are not required to disclose all of their ingredients (only active ingredients or “ingredients of known concern”). And the US Government doesn’t test cleaning products and doesn’t mandate that companies test them either. This all leads to a lot of confusion about cleaning products. I’ve compiled a list of 7 main cleaning ingredients to avoid to help you make informed choices about cleaning products. Check out that post here: 7 Cleaning Product Ingredients to Avoid.

The post 11 Natural Cleaning Product Swaps Anyone Can Make 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.

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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

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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.

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(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. 

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

One of the first changes I made in our home, in order to create a more natural lifestyle, was in the laundry room. First, my love for Tide was replaced with a homemade soap that was simple and effective. Next, my dryer sheets were replaced with wool balls. Slowly, over time, I discovered natural (and super easy!) solutions for nearly every laundry product I needed.

With just a few basic ingredients, natural laundry products can be made at home. Since you can use the same “ingredients” to make multiple products, homemade laundry solutions can even save money.

Now, I get it. The whole process of making the switch to homemade products can be a bit overwhelming. The process doesn’t need to be complicated or exhausting. Simply start with the products you most often use in your laundry room and start making one small change. Small, practical changes are the building blocks to a doable long-term natural lifestyle. Let’s take our lesson from the tortoise…slow and steady always wins the race.

6 Laundry Products to Stop Buying and Start Making

Laundry Soap: The task of making your own laundry soap sounds daunting, but it couldn’t be easier. Simply mix a few ingredients together. That’s it.

Homemade Stain Remover: Ketchup, spaghetti sauce, and an early morning beet juice; talk about a recipe for disaster. This homemade stain remover is made with just a few basic ingredients and boasts a major stain-busting punch. POW!

Homemade Oxi-Clean Like Powder: When clothes need a little extra boost, Homemade Oxi-Clean Like Powder is the perfect natural solution. This powder is made with just two ingredients: hydrogen peroxide and washing soda.

Homemade Bleach Alternative: When clothes get a little dingy it’s time to call upon the power of lemons, washing soda, and hydrogen peroxide!

Salt Fabric Softener and Scent Booster: Salt is the secret ingredient to fresh smelling clothes with extra softness in my laundry room. To make a homemade fabric softener and scent booster, simply combine 5 cups of sea salt or kosher salt (I purchase $2 large boxes from Costco) and add 1-2 teaspoons of a cleaning essential oil (lemon or lavender are my favorite). As the washing machine fills up, add 1/3 cup of the salts. The salt softens hard water and naturally adds cleaning power needed for a fresh scent.

Homemade Wool Dry Balls: If you’d like to add something to the dryer to soften laundry, ditch the dryer sheets and purchase or make dryer balls. You can also purchase these handy dryer balls on Amazon or some stores (HomeGoods, etc).

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The post 6 Laundry Products to Stop Buying and Start Making appeared first on Live Simply.

When my family decided to make the switch from processed to real food, replacing household products with homemade versions was not a priority.

I was a self-proclaimed Tide-lovin’ woman. There was talk in Facebook groups about making laundry soap and even surface cleaners, but the thought of making products for my home usually brought about a scoffing giggle. “Why in world would I want to make products like laundry soap and surface cleaner? “

Shortly after making the food switch, Dustin and I noticed a dramatic improvement in our health and energy levels. It was at this time that my mind began spinning, “Hmmm…I wonder if making products at home with natural ingredients would also benefit my family?” 

That month I purchased my first ever jar of bentonite clay and whisked together a few natural ingredients creating my very first homemade product: foundation powder. The recipe was a success and a few weeks later I decided to give up the expensive foundation powder I’d been using for many years. I was intrigued, “What else can I make?”

In order to make this whole homemade product thing work for my family, I knew a few ground rules were necessary. I came up with two basic rules for all my DIY projects:

1. A homemade product must be just as effective as a store-bought product.

2. A homemade product must be simple to make.

Slowly I began replacing many of the products I was using in our home, from cleaners to body wash, with homemade alternatives. I’m living proof that a former Tide-lovin’ gal can make the switch from commercial to homemade.

Now, I get it. The whole process of making the switch to homemade products can be a bit overwhelming. The process 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 a month. Small, practical changes are the building blocks to a doable long-term natural lifestyle. Let’s take our lesson from the tortoise…slow and steady always wins the race.

9 Cleaning Products to Stop Buying and Start Making

DIY Cleaning Wipes (Reusable and Disinfecting): Homemade cleaning wipes are my reusable answer to the disposable cleaning wipes that once sat on my kitchen counter. These wipes are made with just a few basic ingredients (which you probably already own) and a handful of washcloths. I use these wipes to clean up juice spills, countertops, and even dirty little feet.

DIY Natural Floor Cleaner Wipes:  Similar to the cleaning wipes, these wipes are made with a few basic ingredients and a handful of washcloths. The washcloths soak in a natural floor cleaning solution before being put to work with the dirty job of cleaning our hard floors. The result is always shiny, clean floors without the expensive cost of commercial cleaners.

DIY Bandits Oil Disinfecting Kitchen Spray: I spend a lot of time in the kitchen. By the end of the day it’s not uncommon to find spills, loose spices, and mountains of dirty dishes decorating my 1960’s countertops. When I need extra cleaning power, I mix together this simple cleaner for tackling the dirty job.

DIY All-In-One Bathroom Cleaner: This homemade cleaner is especially formulated to clean, disinfect, and deodorize even the dirtiest of bathrooms (AKA: my bathroom).

DIY All-In-One Glass and Stainless Steel Cleaner: Windows and stainless steel appliances are my nemesis, but with this simple cleaner I’m able to enjoy squeaky clean, streak-free windows and appliances for just pennies compared to store-bought cleaner.

DIY Homemade Scrub Cleaner: Like Soft Scrub:  When the bathroom cleaning job calls for extra scrubbing power, I turn to a jar of homemade scrub cleaner. I also use this scrub cleaner in my white kitchen sink and even our old 1960’s countertops.

DIY Produce Wash:  Whether I purchase organic or conventional produce, I always spend a portion of my prep time washing fruits and veggies for the week ahead. My produce wash is made with a few simple and natural ingredients that pack a powerful punch when it comes to unwanted dirt and bugs.

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap:  Ah yes, laundry soap. The one product I never thought would enter my arsenal of DIY cleaners. I’m happy to report that this laundry soap is super effective in its fight against stains, body odor, and dirt.

DIY Homemade Liquid Hand Soap:  If you’re looking for one homemade product to start making, hand soap is my top pick. Most of us (I hope) use hand soap every single day, making it the perfect product to start making versus buying. This homemade hand soap only requires three to four simple ingredients.

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The post 9 Cleaning Products to Stop Buying and Start Making appeared first on Live Simply.