Green cleaning recipes are great, because they are safe and often – frugal way to substitute dangerous commercial cleaners with toxic formulae. This week we’ve collected 3 recipes for homemade laundry detergents. They are easy to make, don’t require a lot of ingredients and are safe to use if you have small children, pets, or if you have sensitive skin.

When we started our blog one of the first topics we’ve wrote bout was toxic chemicals in detergents and cleaners. You can read more about the toxic ingredients in commercial cleaning products here, here and here.

Soapnuts Laundry Detergent

Soapnuts are fruits growing on the trees from genius Sapindus. These trees are common in Asia and some parts of North America, and native people have used soapnut shells for centuries for cleaning and washing purposes, as well as for homemade remedies for various skin conditions. Now they are largely available online, or green stores. Here is a basic recipe for soapnut laundry detergent. This liquid cleaner is hypoallergenic, which makes it suitable even for delicates or baby clothes.

You can try out 8 more green and safe soapnut recipes here.

You will need

  • 14-15 soapnut shells
  • 5-6 glasses of tap water
  • 8-10 drops of your favourite essential oil(optional)

Break the soapnut shells and put them into a clean pot. Add water and bring to gentle boil. Leave it for about 30 minutes to allow them release their natural saponins. Cool the liquid, pour in a glass bottle or big jar and store into the fridge. Since this is natural cleaner and it doesn’t have any preservatives it will go bad if you leave it outside. Soapnuts have light natural smell, if you want to deodorize your laundry, just add a few drops of essential oil to the liquid. Use as your ordinary laundry detergent.

Powerful Soapnut Detergent

This recipe is suitable to use if you have to deal with heavily soiled laundry or stained clothes. You can try out the stronger soapnut detergent during spring and autumn cleaning, when there is a significant amount of blankets, bed linens, clothes and curtains to wash.

You will need

  • 5 soapnut shells
  • 4 tbsp borax
  • 5 drops of essential oil (optional)

Grind soapnut shells in spice grinder or food processor. Add 4 tbsp borax and essential oil, if you want to deodorize the laundry. Use as usual. This homemade laundry detergent is strong and removes stains, without irritating your skin.

Castile Soap Laundry Detergent

If you want a bit more traditional recipe for homemade green laundry detergent, try making this one. Castile soap, borax and washing soda create powerful green combination.

You will need

1 cup washing soda
1 cup borax
1/2 cup finely grated castile soap

Use the food processor to grate a small chunk of castile soap. Use a large bowl and mix the grated soap, borax and washing soda and stir well. Keep in a jar, or in a plastic container with lid. Use 1/4 cup of this powder instead of commercial laundry detergent.

Making your own green laundry detergent is one of the easiest steps for natural living. And don’t forget – you can always rely on our cleaning services in London if you want your home maintained in safe and eco-friendly manner.

Interested in green cleaning? Click here for more eco-friendly recipes.