January 28, 2021, 4:20 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Conventional detergent contains bleach, silicones, and sometimes even heavy metals–making it anything but eco-friendly. Those who want to live more sustainably and reduce their plastic consumption can make their own detergent.
In the spirit of sustainability, many cleaning products can be easily made at home–including detergent. The DIY version is not only cheaper but also more environmentally friendly than commercial alternatives. You only need a few ingredients, which some may already have in their cleaning cupboard.
How to Make Your Own Detergent
Materials
- 20 g soft soap
- 20 g curd soap
- 1 liter water
- 1 tablespoon sodium carbonate or washing soda
- optional: 10 drops of essential oil
- grater
- cooking pot
- hand blender
- bottle, e.g., an old detergent bottle or a glass bottle
- funnel
Soft soap is a true all-purpose cleaner. In homemade detergent, it helps wash away dirt, grease, and even germs from laundry.
“Soaps have been used as surfactants for several thousand years and belong to the group of anionic surfactants,” explains Dr. Bernd Glassl from the German Cosmetic, Toiletry, Perfumery and Detergent Association to myHOMEBOOK. This means they have both a fat-loving and a water-loving part. Curd soap not only has cleaning properties but also antiseptic ones. However, it is not “suitable for textiles made of wool and silk because it damages these materials. For other fabrics, such as cotton, linen, or polyester, curd soap can be used without concern.”
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Soda is also found in commercial detergents as an ingredient for water softening. It neutralizes the acids of the surfactants and additionally saponifies fat.
Note: Direct skin contact with soda should be avoided as it can cause skin irritation.
Instructions
- Grate 20 g of curd soap using a grater. Alternatively, the soap can be chopped with a knife. Tip: The smaller the pieces, the easier and faster they dissolve later.
- Combine the curd and soft soap, soda, and water in a cooking pot. Cook the mixture while stirring constantly with a whisk until the soap is completely dissolved.
- Then let the detergent cool overnight, stirring occasionally. Optionally, ten drops of essential oil can be added now.
- The next day, the homemade detergent will have a gel-like to solid consistency. This can be liquefied again using a hand blender.
- Finally, pour the liquid into a bottle using a funnel.
Using the Homemade Detergent
The finished DIY detergent can be used just like conventional detergent and poured into the designated compartment of the washing machine. However, it should be shaken vigorously before each use. For each wash, 100 to 175 ml of the homemade detergent is sufficient. This is roughly equivalent to a coffee cup.