Here are 10 DIY laundry products that are simple and cost-effective to make.
DIY Powdered Laundry Detergent
Making powdered laundry detergent is very simple and will cost you around 30 cents per load. Plus, homemade laundry detergent is safe to use in both standard and high-efficiency washers because the formula is low-sudsing.
What You Need
1 5.5-ounce bar of pure soap or 1 cup of soap flakes 1 cup baking soda 1 cup washing soda (sodium carbonate) 1/2 cup borax Cheese grater Measuring cup Resealable container
Tips
If you can’t find washing soda, you can make your own washing soda from baking soda. This detergent recipe can be easily doubled. Store a large batch in an airtight container, and transfer small amounts to a decorative canister to keep handy near the washer. To boost the cleaning power of your homemade detergent, you can slightly increase the amount of borax in the formula.
DIY Liquid Laundry Detergent
If you have extremely cold water, liquid laundry detergent is a better choice because powders can sometimes be difficult to dissolve. This formula is particularly good for anyone with sensitive skin because it contains no irritating dyes or fragrances.
What You Need
1 5.5-ounce bar of pure soap or 1 cup of soap flakes4 cups water1 cup baking soda1 cup washing soda (sodium carbonate)1/2 cup boraxCheese graterMeasuring cupSaucepanResealable 3-gallon container
Tips
A glass beverage dispenser, such as those used for iced tea or lemonade, makes a decorative container for your liquid detergent. It is easy to dispense and refill.
DIY Single-Dose Laundry Detergent Pods
The single-dose laundry detergent format—whether a tablet, pod, or pack—is a simple and efficient way to prevent overuse of detergent. This saves money, protects clothes from excessive wear, and can even keep high-efficiency washers from breaking down due to excess suds. One of the downsides of single-dose pods from big-name manufacturers is the high cost, but you can make your own for less.
What You Need
1 1/2 cups washing soda to soften water1/2 cup pure soap flakes for stain removal2 tablespoons epsom salt for fabric softening3 tablespoons hydrogen peroxide (3.5 percent pharmaceutical grade) for whitening and brightening fabrics1/4 cup distilled white vinegar for odor reduction15 to 20 drops essential oil for fragrance (optional)Mixing bowl (glass or plastic)Hand graterSheet pan or cookie sheetWaxed paper or parchment paperMeasuring spoons
Tips
Each homemade detergent pod will wash an average-size laundry load. They can be used in both standard and high-efficiency washers. If you have a large load, add two pods.Place the pods in the drum of the washer before adding water and loading clothes. This will give them the maximum exposure time to water, so they will dissolve correctly and thoroughly.As with commercially manufactured single-dose products, be sure to keep these away from children. It is essential to label them properly, so they are not mistaken as food.
DIY Gentle Wool Wash
For wool to look its best, it should not be treated with high heat or harsh detergents. Mistreatment can cause wool to lose its natural oils and luster, change shape, or develop wear and tear prematurely. There are commercial detergents formulated for delicate garments, such as wool sweaters, but you can also make your own.
What You Need
4 cups pure soap flakes4 cups boiling water1 cup denatured alcohol1 tablespoon essential oil for fragrance (optional)Large glass or plastic mixing bowlWhisk or stick blenderLarge resealable storage container
Tips
To use, rub a small amount into stains. Or dissolve 1 tablespoon of wool wash in lukewarm water. Swish or soak the garment in warm water, and then rinse well.
DIY Laundry Bleach Pen
Chlorine bleach is not the best choice for removing stains on colored clothes, though it does work well on white cotton. But what if you have a striped shirt? How do you keep the bleach on just the white area? You can purchase a commercially made bleach pen or make your own.
What You Need
3/4 cup water3 tablespoons corn starch (thickener)4 to 7 tablespoons chlorine bleachSmall saucepanSmall plastic squirt bottle with a pointed tipLabel
Tips
Make the mixture in small batches. The product will lose potency after three months. This bleach solution can be used to create designs on colored fabrics.
DIY Laundry Fragrance Enhancer
Advertisers have convinced most of us that unless our laundry smells “clean,” then it isn’t. But what is the smell of clean? Meadow fresh, spring rain, or aloha ocean? If you want to control the fragrance of your laundry but don’t like the expense or the added chemicals of commercial brands, you can make your own laundry fragrance enhancer.
What You Need
1 cup Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate)Essential oil(s) in scents of your choiceResealable plastic storage container
Tips
Add 1/4 cup of the scented salt to the washer along with your laundry detergent. Add it directly into the washer drum; do not use an automatic dispenser.The mix is safe to use in both standard and high-efficiency washers.As with any cleaning product, label your scented salt and store it away from children.This laundry fragrance enhancer makes a great gift. Present it in a pretty container with a coordinated measuring scoop. Be sure to include instructions and perhaps the recipe.
DIY Laundry Fabric Softener
Homemade fabric softener is easy to make, inexpensive, and the perfect complement to homemade laundry detergent. It’s also a great choice for those with chemical sensitivity to perfumes and dyes, and it’s safe to use on all fabrics.
What You Need
1/2 cup baking soda 4 cups water 3 cups distilled white vinegar 5 to 10 drops of essential oil in your favorite scent (optional) A gallon or larger plastic jug
Tips
This product is safe for both standard and high-efficiency washers.Add the mixture directly to the washer’s fabric softener dispenser. You can also add it manually to the final rinse cycle. Use about 1/2 cup per load.
DIY Laundry Starch and Sizing
A freshly ironed shirt presents a crisp, polished look, and using starch or sizing will help accomplish that look. Starch gives fabric extra body and leaves a smooth finish. Laundry sizing is simply a lighter version of starch that aids in making ironing easier. It is quite simple to make it yourself in just minutes.
What You Need
2 cups cold water1 tablespoon corn starchSpray bottle
Tips
Shake the bottle before each use. Store it in the refrigerator between ironing sessions.Always use the steam feature of your iron when applying homemade starch.Let the starch absorb into the fabric for at least 30 seconds before ironing.Clean the bottom of your iron after each use.White marks on clothes probably means you are ironing too soon after applying the starch. It’s also possible that you might need to add a little more water to your starch mixture.
DIY Fabric Refresher
Commercial fabric refreshers can help to revive musty fabrics. If you like the convenience but not the price or chemicals of these sprays, you can make them at home.
What You Need
1 cup baking sodaHot water10 to 12 drops of your favorite essential oil24-ounce plastic spray bottle
Tips
Shake the bottle before each use. If the spray nozzle is clogged, simply rinse it under hot water. Hold the spray bottle at least 8 to 12 inches away from the fabric. Spray lightly in sweeping motions. Do not saturate the fabric or spray too closely, as this can leave residue on the fabric.Allow the fabric to dry thoroughly before using or storing. It should hang in a spot with good air flow away from direct sunlight. Putting on a damp garment can result in wrinkling, and storing damp fabric can lead to mold or mildew.
DIY Dryer Balls
Dryer balls are added to wet laundry as it’s loaded into the dryer to fluff clothes and speed drying time. They also help to keep clothes free of static. You can buy commercially made wool or PVC dryer balls. Or you can make them yourself.
What You Need
100% wool yarn or 100% wool fabric stripsCotton stringAn old sock or pantyhoseHot waterLarge panClothes dryer
Tips
Add two or three dryer balls to each load of wet laundry you put in the dryer. These balls should last for several years. It’s important to make your dryer balls out of natural material. The natural fibers of wool help to control static better than synthetic fibers. They also hold together better for a denser dryer ball.
