We often wash our laundry with the usual chemical detergents. But most of them are not good for our environment. That’s why we’ve collected ideas for making your own laundry detergent. For environmentally friendly detergent alternatives.
If you no longer want to use chemical detergents, then the following alternatives to making your own detergent are just right for you. At the same time, you are doing something good for yourself and your environment. In addition, these are cheap and quick to make yourself.
Washing clothes with great detergent alternatives
Environmental awareness is growing steadily and with it the interest in alternatives to chemical detergents. A customer survey by the German Institute for Service and Quality also revealed that customers have high expectations of their detergent. Many consumers are dissatisfied with the environmental aspects of their detergent. That is why we have collected effective and environmentally friendly detergents that you can make yourself.
1) Detergent made from baking soda
A well-known household remedy is a baking soda. Because it can be used in many areas. So also for washing clothes. There are different possibilities of application. You can simply put the baking soda in the detergent drawer and start the wash cycle. Or put the powder directly into the laundry drum. Accordingly, it cleans your laundry and neutralizes bad odors. It also serves as a fabric softener. The miracle powder also softens the water and prevents calcification. Also, note our article on descaling washing machines and dishwashers.
2) Clean clothes with vinegar
You can also use the popular household remedy vinegar. Because you can use it to remove unpleasant odors. In addition, vinegar can remove limescale residue from your clothes. This makes it cuddly soft and you can do without a chemical fabric softener. The use of vinegar is particularly suitable for effectively washing and caring for bed linen. To do this, add half a cup to a full cup of vinegar to the fabric softener compartment.
3) Washing clothes with ivy
Slightly soiled clothes are excellent for washing with ivy. Because the saponin contained in ivy ensures radiant cleanliness. Consequently, you can collect dark ivy leaves on your next walk. You can then put the leaves in the washing machine. To do this, put about 10 leaves in a laundry bag or sock. Then put them in the laundry drum. This detergent alternative is particularly suitable for dark and colored laundry. Also, note our article on making ivy offshoots quickly and easily.
4) Soap nuts as an alternative detergent for allergy sufferers
The cleaning soap nuts of the soap tree come from Asia and have been used for cleaning in India for some time. They are therefore an effective, environmentally friendly alternative. You can use them to remove light dirt and grease from your clothing. At the same time, they are well tolerated. Therefore particularly popular with allergy sufferers and recommended for neurodermatitis diseases. They can also be used at all temperatures. Only in the case of very stubborn dirt should you use our other alternatives. The only drawback is their carbon footprint. Because the transport routes are long.
5) Washing clothes with chestnuts
The chestnuts growing here have a better CO2 balance. Because you can collect them in autumn. And use it to do laundry all year round. Chestnuts serve as an alternative to detergent because they contain soap-like substances, saponins. So gather the chestnuts and break up a handful of them with a hammer or nutcracker. Then put them in a jar. Then pour boiling water over them. And let the mixture work overnight. You can now wash your clothes with the resulting liquid suds. Also read our article on the most common mistakes when doing laundry.
6) Make liquid detergent yourself
DIY detergents are becoming more and more popular. The best-known recipe for making your own detergent is liquid detergent. For this, you need 4 tablespoons of washing soda or baking soda, a small handful of grated curd soap, water, and a few drops of essential oils. Then you first have to heat the water in the kettle or pot. Then mix the ingredients together while stirring constantly. After everything has cooled down, you can fill in the homemade detergent and add the essential oil. Also, note our tips for washing and caring for laundry.
7) Make washing powder yourself
If you prefer washing powder, you can also make your own. For this, you need baking soda and an effective pure washing soda. Depending on how much stock you want to prepare, take two equal parts (e.g. 150g baking soda and 150g washing soda) and 100g grated curd soap. Then mix the ingredients and add about 15 drops of essential oil. This will give your washing powder a fresh scent. If you like, you can also add 100g of dishwasher salt. Because that should ensure softer water. Then put the finished powder in an airtight container. For washing clothes, put 1-2 tablespoons in the detergent compartment.
