10 DIY Laundry Products You Can Make at Home
Are you tired of spending money on store-bought laundry products that are filled with unknown chemicals? Do you want to have more control over the ingredients that touch your clothes and your skin? If so, making your own DIY laundry products might be the perfect solution for you.
The average American family does about 300 loads of laundry every year, which means the cost of laundry products can really add up. By making your own laundry products, not only can you save money, but you can also customize them to suit your preferences and needs. From detergent pods to fabric softener, here are 10 DIY laundry products that are simple, cost-effective, and easy to make.
DIY Powdered Laundry Detergent
Making powdered laundry detergent is a great way to save money, with each load costing around 30 cents. Not only is homemade laundry detergent budget-friendly, but it’s also safe to use in both standard and high-efficiency washers. The low-sudsing formula ensures that your clothes get clean without excess foam.
What You Need
- Bar of pure soap (or soap flakes)
- Baking soda
- Washing soda
- Borax
How to Make It
- Grate the soap using a regular cheese grater.
- Combine the soap flakes, baking soda, washing soda, and borax in a large, resealable container.
- Use as directed: 1/2 cup per load in a standard top-load washer, 2 tablespoons in a high-efficiency washer.
DIY Liquid Laundry Detergent
If you have cold water or sensitive skin, liquid laundry detergent is a better choice. This formula is gentle on clothes and does not contain any irritating dyes or fragrances.
What You Need
- Bar of pure soap (or soap flakes)
- Baking soda
- Washing soda
- Borax
- Hot water
How to Make It
- Grate the soap and melt it in a saucepan with water.
- Combine the melted soap, baking soda, washing soda, borax, and hot water.
- Allow the detergent to thicken overnight before use.
DIY Single-Dose Laundry Detergent Pods
Single-dose laundry detergent pods are convenient, but they can be expensive. Save money by making your own at home with this simple recipe.
What You Need
- Bar of pure soap (or soap flakes)
- Washing soda
- Epsom salts
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Vinegar
- Essential oil
How to Make It
- Grate the soap and combine it with washing soda and Epsom salts.
- Add the wet ingredients and shape the mixture into individual pods.
- Store the pods in an airtight container once dry.
DIY Gentle Wool Wash
Wool garments require special care to maintain their natural oils and luster. Create your own gentle wool wash to keep your wool items looking their best.
What You Need
- Soap flakes
- Boiling water
- Denatured alcohol
- Essential oil
How to Make It
- Melt the soap flakes with boiling water.
- Add denatured alcohol and essential oil to the mixture.
- Allow the wash to set overnight before use.
DIY Laundry Bleach Pen
Sometimes, stain removal requires a bit of precision. Make your own bleach pen at home to target stains without damaging colored clothes.
What You Need
- Corn starch
- Water
- Bleach
How to Make It
- Dissolve corn starch in water.
- Boil the mixture until it thickens.
- Add bleach to achieve desired strength.
- Transfer the mixture to a squirt bottle for targeted application.
DIY Laundry Fragrance Enhancer
Control the scent of your laundry without the added chemicals found in commercial brands. Create your own laundry fragrance enhancer with just a few simple ingredients.
What You Need
- Epsom salt
- Essential oil
How to Make It
- Mix essential oil with Epsom salt.
- Store in an airtight container until ready to use.
DIY Laundry Fabric Softener
Complement your DIY laundry detergent with homemade fabric softener. This recipe is gentle, inexpensive, and safe for all fabrics.
What You Need
- Baking soda
- Water
- Distilled white vinegar
- Essential oil (optional)
How to Make It
- Dissolve baking soda in water.
- Slowly add vinegar to the mixture.
- Add essential oil for fragrance, if desired.
DIY Laundry Starch and Sizing
Achieve a crisp, polished look with homemade laundry starch or sizing. This easy recipe can be customized to suit your preferences.
What You Need
- Corn starch
- Water
How to Make It
- Mix corn starch with water in a spray bottle.
- Add additional corn starch for a heavier starch.
DIY Fabric Refresher
Revive musty fabrics with a homemade fabric refresher. This simple recipe is a cost-effective alternative to store-bought products.
What You Need
- Baking soda
- Hot water
- Essential oil
How to Make It
- Combine baking soda and hot water in a spray bottle.
- Add essential oil for a personalized fragrance.
DIY Dryer Balls
Fluff clothes, speed up drying time, and reduce static with DIY dryer balls. These easy-to-make balls are a natural alternative to dryer sheets.
What You Need
- Wool yarn or fabric strips
How to Make It
- Wind wool into balls and boil to set the shape.
- Repeat the wrapping process to create finished dryer balls.
By making your own DIY laundry products, you can save money, customize your products to suit your preferences, and reduce your exposure to potentially harmful chemicals. Try out these simple recipes and enjoy a more natural approach to laundry care!
