How To Make A Natural Household Detergent

In this article we will show you how to prepare a natural household detergent. At the same time, we will present you some tricks for preparing a conditioner, with a perfume of your choice, as well as a solution for cleaning stains.

We already know how to prepare shampoos and masks from natural ingredients at home. However, lately, more and more people want to know and use the tricks used by our grandmothers, which worked the same or even better than the methods used today. In addition, the products obtained are organic and much cheaper.

The advantages of using a natural household detergent

Here are the advantages of using natural products, in this case a natural homemade detergent, made by hand:

• Convenient : detergents are not cheap, and this recipe uses very convenient ingredients.

• Simple : you don’t need any special knowledge to prepare it, as the recipe is very simple and the ingredients are easy to find.
• Organic: it is important not to use more environmentally harmful products than necessary.
• Antiallergic: this natural household detergent does not contain aggressive substances, being an advantage especially for people with sensitive skin or for babies.

Natural ingredient

To prepare this natural household detergent, you need simple ingredients that you already have at home and whose effectiveness you will notice from the first wash.

Baking soda is a natural product that acts as a deodorant and disinfectant, neutralizes the pH if your products are too acidic or too alkaline and makes the materials softer.

On the other hand, the soap we use to prepare detergent is a regular soap, which in ancient times was used for hand washing. It is made from natural fats, coconut soap, glycerin soap or Marseilles soap, etc.

What do you need?

• One or two homemade soaps
• 2 cups of borax
• 2 cups baking soda
• Optional: lemon or lavender essential oil
• The water

Tools

• A bucket
• A medium-sized saucepan
• A wooden spoon

How is it prepared?

1. Grate the soap. You need two cups of shaved soap.
2. Boil a liter of water in a saucepan and add the two cups of soap. Bring to a boil over low heat and stir using a wooden spoon.
3. In another bowl add the borax and baking soda. Then add the water with the melted soap and mix well with a wooden spoon until all the ingredients dissolve.
4. Then, if you want, add some essential oil to give the detergent a scent.
5. Add 15 ml of oil and mix again.
6. Cover the pan.
7. Dispose of detergent in water bottles or in empty detergent containers for storage. For safety reasons, stick labels on it that contain detergent. Shake the container before use to mix the ingredients well.

And the balm?

The most natural, cheap and effective product that can replace the commercial conditioner is vinegar. It helps clean clothes, makes materials softer and prevents flaking and electrification.

Moreover, vinegar softens water that is too hard, which contains a lot of limestone. Last but not least, the advantage of vinegar: it helps to clean the inside of the washing machine of dirt, soap, limescale and other residues. To obtain a specific fragrance, you can use one of the following essential oils:

• Citrus  (lemon, orange, tangerine): helps to clean thoroughly, removes oily residues and gives clothes a special scent.
• Lavender : helps to clean and disinfect materials, making them softer and giving them a relaxing aroma.

• Tea tree : excellent for removing fungi.
• Eucalyptus : this oil has a fresh aroma and helps eliminate bacteria.

If you do not have any essential oil at hand, you can add the juice of half a lemon over the vinegar. 

Solution for difficult spots

Before washing stained clothes, put a little baking soda and vinegar over the stain and rub well with a brush.

Photo source: chayirygirl and Jess.