Homemade Washing Powder: Quick And Easy Natural Washing Powder Recipe

While we initially focused on creams, liquids and sprays that we put directly on our bodies when we made our pact to be chemical free and to make our own skincare, our sights eventually moved bigger and we decided to look into what was going into our washing powder.

It wasn’t long before we realised that we had little idea what chemicals we were putting on our clothes and thus on our skin. Even looking into the washing powders at the supermarket did not help much. We quickly realised that they weren’t all natural though.

So we started searching for answers to how to make your own washing powder recipe and trying out different options for a recipe for washing powder until we found something natural that was great for our clothes as well.

Sounds like what you are looking for? Great! Keep reading as below, we describe exactly how to make homemade washing powder with a complete homemade laundry powder recipe, full details on what each ingredient is so you can ensure it’s suitable for your household and how to use your own homemade clothes washing powder.

Have any questions? Make sure you ask in the comments below!

What Is Homemade Washing Powder?

Before we get into the how, what exactly is homemade washing powder?

Put simply, homemade washing powder is a type of laundry detergent that is made at home using natural ingredients. It is an alternative to store-bought washing powders that may contain synthetic chemicals and fragrances which can be harsh on the skin and the environment.

It’s a 100% dry powder although you can turn it into a homemade liquid washing powder by adding hot water and dissolving it.

Your DIY natural washing powder is an economical and environmentally-friendly alternative to store-bought washing powders. It is also gentle on the skin and can be tailored to your specific needs and preferences.

Why Make A DIY Laundry Powder Recipe?

There are many reasons why you may want to learn how to make natural washing powder. Here are some of mine…

It’s Better For Your Skin And Environment

Many store-bought detergents contain synthetic chemicals and fragrances that can have a negative impact on the environment. Not just this, but they can be harsh on the skin which can cause irritation or allergic reactions especially if you have sensitive skin. This can make homemade washing powders a great solution if you are looking for natural washing powder for babies or homemade washing powder for sensitive skin.

You can pick your own ingredients and use ones that are gentle on the skin while also reducing your carbon footprint and minimising your impact on the planet.

It’s Cost Effective

Making washing powder at home can be cheaper than buying store-bought detergent, especially if you choose ingredients that are inexpensive and have a long shelf life.

You also don’t need to use as much of your homemade washing powder recipe with each wash so it lasts longer as well.

You Can Customise It

When you make your own natural washing powder at home, you have control over the ingredients and can customise the recipe to meet your needs and preferences.

For example, you can choose ingredients that are more effective at removing stains, or you can add essential oils to add your favourite scent. So if you want a homemade washing powder that smells good, this is the perfect way to go.

It Makes A Great Gift

Looking for a thoughtful and useful gift? Look no further. Your best homemade washing powder makes a great gift for anyone who needs to wash clothes… so everybody!

You can present it in a cute container with your own personal labels to make it even more special.

It’s Easy And Fun

Finally, making your own natural alternative to washing powder is a fun and rewarding DIY project.

It’s straightforward and easy to do. It’s fun to experiment with different ingredients and proportions to find the perfect recipe. I definitely find washing my clothes more fun as well now I have my own washing powder.

Ingredients For The Best Homemade Laundry Powder Australia

One of the best things about this homemade washing powder Australia recipe is that you actually only need a few ingredients to make it work. You don’t have to use the essential oils I mention below either if you want to keep it as simple as possible.

eBay and Amazon Australia are quick and easy places to buy ingredients and all the gear you need. Below, I direct you to the best place to buy each ingredient or you can click here to buy now on Amazon or here for eBay. This is how I buy all of these ingredients.

Sodium Carbonate/Washing Soda

Sodium carbonate is a white, crystalline solid that is commonly known as washing soda or soda ash. Sodium carbonate is an alkaline substance and has a variety of uses including in the manufacture of soap, glass, and detergents.

I love using sodium carbonate in my recipe for homemade washing powder because it is an effective stain remover. It works by breaking down dirt, grease and grime which makes it easier to wash away.

If you live in an area with hard water, sodium carbonate can also help to soften water. When water is hard, it contains high levels of minerals such as calcium and magnesium which can make it difficult to rinse away soap and detergent. Sodium carbonate helps to break down these minerals, making the water softer and easier to rinse.

Sodium carbonate can be harsh on sensitive skin so use it in moderation. If you have sensitive skin or are using your home washing powder on delicate fabrics, you may want to consider a less abrasive ingredient such as bicarbonate of soda.

However, for most people, it’ll be fine and it is a great ingredient to use for cleaning your clothes.

Live in the US? Click here to buy Sodium Carbonate on Amazon now.

Live in Australia? Click here to buy it on eBay now.

Sodium Tetraborate

Sodium tetraborate, also known as borax, is a white, crystalline solid that has a variety of uses including in the production of detergents, flame retardants and enamels.

It has much the same great benefits in your natural cloth washing powder as sodium carbonate. It’s an effective stain remover and can break down dirt, grease and grime which makes it easier to wash away. It is especially good with stubborn stains or ones that contain proteins such as blood and sweat. It’s a mild oxidising or bleaching agent.

If you have hard water in your area, it’s also a natural water softener. Sodium tetraborate helps to break down the minerals in hard water which make the water softer and easier to rinse.

Basically, it’ll help remove stains, make your whites, whiter and do everything you want in the best natural washing powder.

It also can act as a disinfectant. It has been shown to be effective at killing bacteria, fungi and viruses and can help remove odours too.

However, it is a somewhat controversial ingredient with plenty of people looking for a homemade washing powder no borax included.

This is because some people worry that it is toxic and not natural. I did a lot of research on this topic, and the good news is that it is only toxic when it is combined with an acid which does not happen in this recipe. When used as instructed below, this homemade washing powder borax is natural and safe. If you want to know more about this topic, this article is great.

It can be harsh on sensitive skin so is best used in moderation.

Live in the US? Click here to buy Sodium Tetraborate on Amazon now.

Live in Australia? Click here to buy it on eBay now.

Soap Flakes

Soap flakes are simply finely grated or shaved soap so that it is in tiny pieces. It’s a common ingredient in homemade laundry powder detergent recipes and cleaning products.

Soap flakes are a natural and biodegradable ingredient made from plant-based oils and fats. It is worth checking the ingredients when you buy your soap flakes to ensure nothing you don’t like has been added. They dissolve in water so if you want to make a detergent, you can simply add it to hot water and dissolve.

While soap flakes can be great for cleaning your clothes, using them by themselves is problematic as a laundry powder. This is because while soap can help remove dirt and stains from your clothes, they can then go back on your clothes while the washing is running.

If you live in an area with hard water, the soap can interact with the minerals in the water to form scum which can stain clothes. However, when mixed with other ingredients, like the sodium carbonate in this recipe, soap scum can be avoided.

You can either buy soap flakes directly or buy soap and make your own. Just make sure you grate them quite small as they dissolve and work better this way especially if you have a front loading washing machine. If your bought ones aren’t that small, you can blend them to make them smaller.

Live in the US? Click here to buy Soap Flakes on Amazon now.

Live in Australia? Click here to buy it on eBay now.

Essential Oils

If you enjoy the scents of essential oils and how they make you feel, you will most likely enjoy adding them to your DIY washing powder recipe.

Essential oils can make your natural washing powder Australia feel more luxurious and pampering. However, they are not for everyone and if they are something that does not agree with you, simply leave them out of your homemade laundry soap powder.

I love using essential oils in my natural laundry powder recipe. They always bring a smile to my face and I love the extra benefits they give.

Here are some you may want to try:

• Lavender – This is my favourite. I just love the smell. It’s known for being relaxing.
• Eucalyptus – This has a strong smell which is great for colds and for giving your clothes a clean, fresh smell.
• Lemon – This is also a clean, fresh smell which is good for colds as well as attention and focus.
• Orange – This has an uplifting smell, good for positivity and immune systems.
• Ylang Ylang – This oil is great for stress, anxiety and promoting relaxation.
• Chamomile – This is also a good choice if you want something soothing and relaxing.

Live in the US? Click here to buy Essential Oils on Amazon now.

Live in Australia? Click here to buy them on eBay now.

How To Make Washing Powder

The answer to how do you make washing powder is surprisingly simple. You simply get the ingredients together mentioned above and mix them together.

I recommend you add the essential oils gradually to try to stop clumping as per the recipe below.

If you are wondering how to make washing powder detergent, you can simply mix some of your powder from the recipe below with hot water to dissolve it and then add this to your washing machine. This is a great idea for front loaders. Since front loaders use less water, this ensures it will dissolve and won’t get stuck in your machine.

Natural Washing Powder Recipe

Yield: 2 1/2 cups

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

This all natural washing powder recipe is perfect for anyone who has looked for simple homemade laundry detergent powder recipes that are good for their clothes and skin. It's easy and quick to make.

Print

Ingredients

• 1 cup Sodium Carbonate/Washing Soda
• 1 cup Sodium Tetraborate
• 1/2 cup Soap Flakes
• 90 drops Essential Oils (Optional)

Instructions

1. Get everything out, all set to go
2. Add Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Tetraborate and Soap Flakes to a mixing bowl
3. Mix well
4. Create an essential oil blend with 90 drops in total. I like using lemon, lavendar and mandarin. This step is optional and you don't need to use essential oils
5. Add the essential oils about 10 drops at a time evenly to the mixture. They can clump the mixture together which you can fix using the back of a spoon
6. Transfer to an airtight container for storing

Notes

This is highly concentrated so you don't need to use much. One tablespoon of this homemade natural washing powder for front loading washing machines and two for top loading will do the trick, but it will depend on your washing machine size and needs.

Since you are using soap flakes, it's recommend you wash with warm or hot water. For a front loader, it's a good idea to dissolve this powder first in some water and then add it to the barrel before turning on. I use it in my front loader set to 50 degrees Celsius but I can't guarantee what will work well in your front loader.

If you have harder water and use a front loader, your machine may struggle with homemade laundry powder detergent.

As mentioned above, you can also grate the soap flakes yourself from a soap bar.

How To Use Your Homemade Washing Machine Powder

Simply add one tablespoon to your front loading machine or two tablespoons to a top loader. You may need to adjust this depending on your load size.

I add my washing powder to the tub in my front loader just to make sure it can’t get stuck entering the machine. If you have finely grained washing powder, this is less of a worry.

Since this natural alternative to washing powder uses soap flakes, you’ll want to use a warm or hot cycle. I use 50 degrees Celsius.

Final Words

If you’ve been wanting to know how to make washing powder at home, I hope you have found this recipe and information super helpful!

It’s really very easy to make your own washing powder and there’s no reason not to get started right now. Your clothes, skin and the environment will thank you.

Looking for more natural recipes? Find all my DIY skincare recipes here and my tips for natural living here.

Ask any questions below! I love to hear from other skincare makers.

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