more GREEN washing – DIY washing powder
It’s no secret I’m not really into chemicals. Viper loves bleach, and it drives me nuts – he thinks nothing else compares, sigh. Having Misty around, I am so much more aware of not only what goes into our bodies in the way of food, but what we use on our skin, face, hair, and how we clean our house.
It’s no secret that these days I do a LOT of washing. A grubby Misty, a hard working man, a Boosty and cloth nappies keep me rather busy in the washing sense. Thank goodness we live in the “Sunshine State” – there is no need for a tumble dryer – and most loads dry within the hour of being pegged out. Hooray for sunshine.
Anyway – this recipe HAS been my go-to for anything washing related for quite some time. I decided to play around with the mix a bit, to see I could come up with a “powder’ that makes life a little easier.
DIY Green Washing Powder – Over 1 Month supply
(Feel free to half or even quarter this recipe)
- 4C washing soda (available at most supermarkets – it will be in the cleaning isle – usually around $3 a bag)
- 125ml Dr Broner’s Castille Soap
- 50 drops essential oil (I usually do 25 drops tea tree and 25 drops lavender – this is the pure oil – I use a lot here as I am washing Misty’s nappies. If you are just doing general washing I would do 15 drops of each).
- Washing soda generally comes in large crystals – this works better if you crush them into a fine powder first – the food processor makes quick work of this, but a mortar & pestle will work as well.
- Combine washing soda in a large mixing bowl.
- Add essential oils and Dr Broner’s – mix until you have a clumpy/clay-like sort of powder – this is fun to get the kids involved with!
- Store in an airtight container.
21 Responses to “more GREEN washing – DIY washing powder”
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- - November 23, 2012
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Vegan. Stay at home Mum of Misty. Yoga teacher in training. Passionate about REAL food - creating it, eating it, sharing it. I can never stick to a recipe.
Sounds good Lou. I’m not a huge greeny but I do like natural stuff and cheap stuff! (As long as it works) Might give this a go when I get home – I trust you!
It definitely works – I do enough washing to prove this one
Plus you can adjust essential oils to make your own lovely smelling powder which is nice.
Awesome! I had bought all the stuff to make my own, but never quite got around to it. Better get that washing soda out and try out your recipe!!
Give it a go for sure – it works so well…. plus it’s cheap as!
I love that this recipe doesn’t contain borax… as most DIY ones I have found do. Thanks for sharing!
Oh I know – Borax drives me crazy – the fact it’s in so many “natural” cleaning products – it’s crazy!
This is one thing I really need to start doing. I used a homemade detergent for a bit, and then fell back into the store bought kind. I do make my own deodorant, and try to use soaps that aren’t harmful. This is all too easy, so I should make some. I usually wear my clothes multiple times to prevent having to wash, I’m gross.
Dude, you’re not gross – I’m exactly the same
This is SO easy to do – give it a try…. plus you can make it smell just the way you like!
Awesome, Lou! Even I can put this together! Thank you. But I have to say…I do love my bleach as well. Darn it!
This is so easy Annie – seriously – give it a go! Ha, you & Viper would get on like a house on fire
I use a washing liquid for the laundry. I shred up half a bar of castile soap with a veggie grater, dissolve it in warm water, and add equal parts washing soda and borax. I’ve been using it for quite awhile and it’s so easy and cheap. My most recent battle has been trying to make homemade dishwasher soap, though. Apparently you need citric acid to keep the dishes film-free, but citric acid makes the powder turn into a ROCK, thus making it impossible to use. Oh well. I usually hand wash anyway.. By the way, your vinegar/citrus/lavendar/rosemary house cleaner is my favorite. I almost always have a jar of it marinating.
Oh that’s so great to hear you like the house cleaner
I struggle with the dish-washing powder thing too – I have a recipe, and it works for maybe 3 washes in a row, and then is not as effective. Frustrating. So hard to get glasses streak free!
I use the laundry power from the health food store, it’s all green and lasts for about 6 months…but then I only do 1 or 2 loads a week. I think it was about $16. It sounds pretty similar ingredient wise, I think I’ll have a play and see if I like yours better
Thanks xxx
One or two loads a week!?! Argh I do at least 2 loads a DAY. Oh for the days of once a week washing. That’s what children will do to you
Hi Lou,
Just wondering what I can use instead of Dr Bronners? Will the Melrose Liquid castile soap work?
It’s just not available for me anywhere near where I live.
Thanks
Hi Alex! Yes yes, of course! Any castile soap will be fine – I’m just a bit of a Dr Bronner’s nut
Does it work ok in a front loader?
Honestly I couldn’t tell you for sure, Michelle – I haven’t tried it (I have a top loader)…. It couldn’t hurt though!
Thanks. Need to get the stuff so I can try it out.