My pregnancy got me started researching laundry detergent. I received many welcome packets that contained samples of supposedly “safe” newborn laundry detergent, but upon looking up the ingredients, I was horrified that people would wash their baby’s clothes in that! Dreft Stage 1 Newborn detergent rated an “F”!
[Written by Rebecca, a contributing writer. She will be joining us here occasionally with health-related topics for women and young mothers.]
I then looked up the detergent that my husband and I had been using, and even though it was called “Free and Clear”, it was also given an “F” rating. It started me wondering why we use stuff that we would never use on our babies’ skin on our own skin.
I now check the Environmental Working Group before purchasing household products.
Since I’ve always desired to be super independent, making my own product where possible, this began my quest to make my own laundry detergent since we couldn’t afford to buy the really truly healthy stuff.
And what I found was a great solution for me!
Making my own laundry detergent is healthy, easy, and economical! And, of course, it works well getting odors, stains, and greasy residues out of clothes.
You Will Need:
• A 1/2 gallon – 1 gallon container with tight fitting lid. If using essential oils, choose glass.
• A large cheese grater, preferably with non-skid bottom
• A stout mixing spoon
Ingredients for Safer Laundry Detergent:
All that is required are three ingredients (in equal amounts):
• Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (read further down to make your own out of baking soda if you want!)
• 20 Mule Team Borax (brightens colors and gets whites dazzling). Adding borax boosts detergent and it helps to “soften” hard water so there are no traces of rust.
• Shaved/grated bar soap of your choice: My choice is Dr. Bronner’s baby bar Pure Castile soap (very gentle). You can also use high quality soap granules from Earthborn Elements.
• (Optional) essential oils (consider lemon, orange, or mandarin for an uplifting, clean scent) or (lavender for relaxing and calming).
Note: Due to their excellent deodorizing, antimicrobial, antifungal, antibacterial, and cleaning properties, many essential oils work great for use in the laundry.
For my first batch, I used the stronger soap Fels-Naptha Laundry Bar & Stain Remover Soap, so that it would be able to get the grease and dirt out of my husbands clothes. But I have since learned that Fels Napha is indeed a toxic soap that we would never use for a baby or child (or rarely even for adult work clothes).
For my second batch, I used Dr. Bronner’s baby bar soap. This is what I use exclusively to wash my baby girl’s laundry.
Directions:
• Combine all ingredients together with equal parts washing soda and borax.
• If using a mild soap (like Dr. Bronner’s or homemade) for babies or toddlers, use equal parts of all ingredients (a 1-1-1 ratio).
• If using strong (Fels Naptha) soap for heavily soiled work clothes, use three times as much borax and washing soda as the strong soap (for instance, a 3-3-1 ratio). You might want to run it through a second rinse to remove soap residue.
• Add optional essential oils now. 25 drops or up to 50 drops for a 1 gallon container
• Mix well. Make sure you stir all the way down to the bottom of the container. You want to get the right amount of washing soda, borax, and essential oil in each load.
• Put one tablespoon in each wash load.
• This detergent works with high efficiency (HE) washing machines if put in before the laundry.
Is Borax Safe in Baby’s Laundry Detergent?
This is a cleaner our grandmothers used, but now borax has gained new popularity as a useful ingredient for natural cleaning. It’s in many recipes for homemade cleaners, laundry detergents, and in many of the homemade slime recipes so many kids love.
I was unable to find any studies that showed borax being dangerous in natural cleaning products in normal cleaning amounts unless it was ingested or got into the eyes. This EWG article states Canada and the European Union have banned use of borax in food and also in body care made for children under the age of 3. That would be reasonable if applied directly to skin (not the case in cleaning products or laundry detergent residue).
What about washing soda?
I found it so fascinating that baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, and washing soda is just sodium carbonate. The difference between the two is that sodium carbonate has a little extra sodium and no hydrogen. To make your own washing soda, simply heat baking soda in your oven to 200 degrees for about an hour. Carbon dioxide and water will be given off, leaving dry sodium carbonate.
Now it is washing soda.
That’s it!
You just saved yourself a bunch of money and are ridding your home of harmful chemicals!
Now you need a safe alternative to bleach! Check out this Bleach Alternative: Homemade, Truly Non-Toxic and Frugal.
Rebecca is enjoying life with her husband and new daughter in the PNW. She loves researching healthier ways to live. Find other posts by Rebecca here:
“She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.” ~Proverbs 31:27
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Pat
About 3 years ago I began using salt and white vinegar to do my laundry in. 2 teaspoons salt to 1/4 cup vinegar; stir well. I use vinegar in place of softener as well. It has worked very well for me. Prior to that, I made the liquid form of this recipe and it worked well too. My husband has very sensitive skin, so when I learned about the salt and vinegar, decided to give it a try. I doubt I’ll ever use anything else now.
Jacqueline
Pat, thank you for your comment! I think I will try that bc it sounds so simple and uniquely non-toxic, to boot! If it cleans as well as you say, I want to at least give it a test!
Blessings!! ~J
Renee
I started using vinegar last year to replace dish soap and it does great in hot water and super affordable at $3/gallon. Vinegar is my mainstay cleaning agent, with a vinegar spray bottle in kitchen and bath. I buy it from Rural King 10 cases at a time for bulk shopping and time saving. Also wondered about using only vinegar as laundry soap. I currently use it in the rinse cycle but for half a load, feel at least 2 cups vinegar is required. How did you determine a 1/4 cup is sufficient for cleaning your laundry and why the salt? Thank you!
Jacqueline
Hi, Renee,
She does not use vinegar in her laundry. I do not know how she determined 1/4 c was sufficient or where you read that.
My concern with white conventional vinegar is that it is laced with glyphosate residue much the same as conventionally-grown beans, oats, canola, soybeans, sugar cane, and other grains that are contaminated with it..
This post reveals that: https://deeprootsathome.com/the-many-ways-roundup-glyphosate-can-kill-you/
It is produced from the cheapest conventional corn (never organic, non-gmo corn).
I know you are not cooking with it, but it gives me pause as it could be volatilized from counters and surfaces or leave residue in your home or in your laundry.
Blessings,
Jacque
Cheryl Tredway
I just started making my own laundry powder and it’s pretty much this same recipe and our clothes do get clean. I use it also for our linens and sheets, including dirty cleaning rags and it works well also. I tried a liquid laundry detergent recipe and while it did clean our clothes, it was a much more complicated process. I use Dr Bronner’s Lavendar soap bar, cut it up into small chunks then put it in my food processor.
Jacqueline
Cheryl, this is so good to know and validate the laundry powder recipe’s effectiveness. Thank you, friend!
Blessings, ~Jacque
Cathie Ochoa
Could you please contact me, I would love to use this recipe in one of my books. It would fit in perfectly, since it uses only three ingredients and essential oils. I would include a link to your website as well, and any other acknowledgement you would request. (I have already referenced a few of your excellent articles, so my readers will have some familiarity with your website!) I will be happy to provide you with any other information you may need. Thank you so much for your consideration.
Jacqueline
Hi, Cathie!
I am emailing you now! ~J
Jeannette
I love re-reading your posts, because often something will stick with me that hasn’t before. I have been using a liquid recipe, similar to this (but weaker) for years. Recently I discovered that adding more borax to the machine helps boost the detergent. We have hard well water, and even with a water softener, it is still leaving traces of rust. Borax helps to “soften” water. After reading this -eureka!- I realize I can just add more to the soap solution! My next batch will have higher amounts of borax. Thanks for all your helpful posts.
Jacqueline
Yay, Jeannette, I will see Rebecca tomorrow and tell her what you are doing!
I also want to write a post about using borax (just a pinch a day in water) for certain health concerns, but I have a lot of researching ahead before I do!
Blessings, friend.
Have a blessed rest of the week.
Jacque
Renee
I was shocked and puzzled to see Fels Naphtha listed here. It makes no sense at all and is a direct contradiction against the whole point of your article wanting to make safe baby soap.
Fels Naphtha is a super toxic chemical, artificial fragrance, endocrine disrupting, reproductive effects poison soap. Did you read the label or research the ingredients? Why not promote a truly natural, pure castile bar soap like Kirks? I but that in cases to last more than a year. Use as bath soap and shampoo. As a MCS chemically sensitive person, I can confidently say there is nothing “safe” about Fels Naphtha. The gagging toxic fragrance alone is enough to send you into a tailspin migraine for a week. It contains talc, a known respiratory irritant linked to lung cancer. There is debate whether it still contains petroleum derived distillates as the original 19th century ingredients had. It is labeled on the package as a skin irritant “Avoid contact with eyes and prolonged contact with skin.” And they don’t even put the ingredients on the label. Purex is a DIAL corporation. This company manufactures some of the most toxic household chemical and toxic scented products like air fresheners that exist. How are you advocating this soap as a good natural option? I also learned on the EWG website that 20 mule team borax scored an F. Whereas Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda scored an A.
“Top Scoring Factors: May contain ingredients with potential for developmental/endocrine/reproductive effects; skin irritation/allergies/damage; respiratory effects.”
SODIUM BORATE High Concern: developmental/endocrine/reproductive effects; Some Concern: skin irritation/allergies/damage, respiratory effects”
https://www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners/2507-20MuleTeamBoraxNaturalLaundryBoosterMultiPurposeHouseholdCleaner/
https://www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners/5346-ArmHammerSuperWashingSodaHouseholdCleanerLaundryBooster/
This article gives a host of warnings to use GLOVES and avoid INHALING THE FUMES when handling, to keep out of reach from children and pets, to keep away from food items or even stored in same cabinet as food. “Fels Naptha is a petroleum-based product, which means it comes with a significant environmental cost. During the manufacturing process, toxic substances such as benzene, toluene and ethylbenzene are released into the air. These substances are known to cause respiratory problems and can be harmful to human health. Furthermore, the production of Fels Naptha requires huge amounts of energy, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. When used for cleaning, Fels Naptha can also contribute to water pollution. The product does not break down easily and can accumulate in waterways, contaminating aquatic life. Moreover, washing clothes with Fels Naptha can lead to the release of harmful chemicals into the environment. To minimize the environmental impact of Fels Naptha, it is important to use it sparingly and dispose of it properly. Opting for natural cleaning products is also a great alternative to reduce your environmental footprint. It can cause irritations, burns, and allergies, especially to those with sensitive skin.”
https://thecookingfacts.com/how-toxic-is-fels-naptha/?expand_article=1
Ingredients: “Soap (sodium tallowate, sodium cocoate (or) sodium palmate kernelate, and sodium palmate), water, talc, cocnut acid, palm acid, tallow acid, PEG-6 methyl ether, glycerin, sorbitol, sodium chloride, pentasodium pentetate and/or tetrasodium etidronate, titatium dioxide, fragrance, Acid Orange (CI 20170), Acid yellow 73 (ci43350).”
From the EWG, Fels Naphtha product scored C and D.
https://www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners/441-FelsNapthaHeavyDutyLaundryBarSoap/
FRAGRANCE
Some Concern: skin irritation/allergies/damage, acute aquatic toxicity, respiratory effects, biodegradation; Disclosure Concern: non-specific ingredient
PEG-6 METHYL ETHER
Some Concern: skin irritation/allergies/damage
Concerns from [ETHYLENE OXIDE]: Some Concern: cancer, developmental/endocrine/reproductive effects, damage to DNA, general systemic/organ effects, respiratory effects, nervous system effects, skin irritation/allergies/damage, damage to vision
Concerns from [1,4-DIOXANE]: Some Concern: cancer, digestive system effects, respiratory effects, skin irritation/allergies/damage
ACID YELLOW 73 (UNCERTIFIED D&C YELLOW NO. 7 OR 8)
Some Concern: developmental/endocrine/reproductive effects, damage to DNA, damage to vision
Concerns from [ARSENIC]: Some Concern: cancer, circulatory system effects, immune system effects, skin irritation/allergies/damage, kidney and urinary effects, general systemic/organ effects, developmental/endocrine/reproductive effects, nervous system effects
Concerns from [RESORCINOL]: Some Concern: acute aquatic toxicity, developmental/endocrine/reproductive effects, general systemic/organ effects, skin irritation/allergies/damage, damage to vision
Concerns from [PHTHALIC ACID]: Some Concern: general systemic/organ effects, respiratory effects, skin irritation/allergies/damage
Concerns from [LEAD]: Some Concern: developmental/endocrine/reproductive effects, chronic aquatic toxicity, cancer, general systemic/organ effects, nervous system effects, blood-related effects
Concerns from [MERCURY]: Some Concern: general systemic/organ effects, kidney and urinary effects, nervous system effects
TETRASODIUM ETIDRONATE
Moderate Concern: biodegradation; Some Concern: skin irritation/allergies/damage, general systemic/organ effects, damage to vision
TALC
Some Concern: cancer, respiratory effects
Concerns from [ASBESTIFORM FIBERS]: Some Concern: cancer, general systemic/organ effects
PENTASODIUM DTPA
Some Concern: developmental/endocrine/reproductive effects, chronic aquatic toxicity, skin irritation/allergies/damage, damage to vision
TITANIUM DIOXIDE
Some Concern: cancer, respiratory effects
TERPENE HYDROCARBONS
Concerns from [FORMALDEHYDE]: Some Concern: cancer, general systemic/organ effects, skin irritation/allergies/damage, respiratory effects, acute aquatic toxicity, developmental/endocrine/reproductive effects, damage to vision
Jacqueline
Renee, you might want to re-read the post for nuance, since we don’t use it for baby or children’s clothing, and seldom for work clothes.
Blessings,
Jacque
Darlene Kraft
Is there a safe DIY recipe for liquid detergent?
Jacqueline
Darlene, it looks like to make it into a liquid you just add water as in this recipe: https://livesimply.me/homemade-liquid-laundry-soap-all-natural-detergent/
It only has a shelf life of 1 month, though…
I hope that helps,
Jacqueline
Darlene Kraft
Thank you!
Nicole B
Hi! I came across this DIY laundry detergent recipe over a year ago and have been using it for my children and myself, and the fels -naptha version for my husband who works outside. I just came back to the site and see that fels-naptha is toxic, so I’m wondering if there is a safe alternative I can use for very soiled work clothes? Thanks in advance!
Jacqueline
Hi, Nicole,
It is a challenge bc most of the laundry detergents on the market are even more problematic using harmful Fragrances, Dyes, Contaminants like Formaldehyde & 1,4-Dioxane, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Optical Brighteners, Synthetic Nonylphenol Ethoxylates, Petrochemicals, Phosphates, Chlorine, Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Phthalates, Parabens, Methylisothiazolinone and Cocamide DEA. Because of this, many still use fels-naptha on really dirty work cloths and then do an extra rinse.
This is very informative on fels-naptha: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fels-Naptha. It should not be confused with napthalene.
Alternately, one could use the laundry detergent recipe you are already using and add Meliora cleaner (https://amzn.to/3Bu0aLC) for the dirtier work clothes. Meliora is Made Safe Certified. Meliora contains a simple blend of natural and organic ingredients: baking soda, washing soda, vegetable soap made with organic coconut oil and organic essential oils (scented options). You only need half a teaspoon for a standard load, and smelly workout clothes come out fresh and clean. Plus, their cans are jumbo-sized and give the most number of laundry loads I’ve seen in a product.
I hope that helps!
Jacque
Nicole B
That really does help! I’m going to try the Meliora. Thank you for the recommendation and for sharing this recipe. My daughter had eczema as a baby which is what led me on the search for a “cleaner” product and I’m so happy I came across your site. We’ve had no issues at all since using this homemade detergent.