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Say goodbye to harsh chemicals: create your own natural laundry detergent with borax

Rob is a seasoned home improvement writer with over 15 years of experience researching and recommending products for the home. Prior to starting Nurturing Homeaid, he wrote extensively for This Old House magazine and has been featured as a home expert on several TV and radio programs. An avid DIY-er,...

What To Know

  • In this blog post, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to make laundry detergent with borax.
  • Before using borax on your clothes, test it on a small area first to make sure it does not damage the fabric.
  • By following the instructions in this blog post, you can easily make your own laundry detergent with borax and enjoy the benefits of a clean and fresh laundry.

Are you tired of spending a fortune on store-bought laundry detergents that often contain harsh chemicals? If so, it’s time to consider making your own laundry detergent with borax. Borax is a natural mineral that has been used for centuries as a cleaning agent. It is an excellent stain remover and brightener, and it can also help to soften water. In this blog post, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to make laundry detergent with borax.

Ingredients

To make laundry detergent with borax, you will need the following ingredients:

  • 1 cup borax
  • 1 cup washing soda
  • 1/2 cup grated Fels-Naptha soap
  • 1/4 cup powdered laundry detergent (optional)
  • 10-15 drops essential oil (optional)

Instructions

1. Gather your ingredients. Make sure you have all of the ingredients listed above before you begin.
2. Grate the Fels-Naptha soap. Use a cheese grater to grate the Fels-Naptha soap into a fine powder.
3. Combine the ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the borax, washing soda, grated Fels-Naptha soap, and powdered laundry detergent (if using).
4. Add essential oils (optional). If you want to add a fresh scent to your laundry detergent, you can add 10-15 drops of your favorite essential oil.
5. Mix well. Use a spoon or whisk to mix the ingredients together until they are well combined.
6. Store in an airtight container. Transfer the laundry detergent to an airtight container. Label the container and store it in a cool, dry place.

How to Use

To use your homemade laundry detergent, simply add 1/2 cup to your washing machine along with your clothes. You can also add 1/4 cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle to help brighten your clothes.

Benefits of Using Borax in Laundry Detergent

There are many benefits to using borax in laundry detergent, including:

  • Natural stain remover: Borax is an excellent natural stain remover. It can help to remove stains from clothes, including stains from food, grass, and blood.
  • Brightener: Borax can help to brighten your clothes, making them look whiter and brighter.
  • Softener: Borax can help to soften water, which can make your clothes feel softer and more comfortable.
  • Deodorizer: Borax can help to deodorize your clothes, leaving them smelling fresh and clean.
  • Antibacterial: Borax has antibacterial properties, which can help to kill bacteria on your clothes.

Tips

Here are a few tips for making and using laundry detergent with borax:

  • Use hot water. When washing your clothes with borax, it is best to use hot water. This will help to dissolve the borax and make it more effective.
  • Don’t use too much. Borax can be a strong cleaning agent, so it is important to not use too much. 1/2 cup per load is usually sufficient.
  • Test on a small area first. Before using borax on your clothes, test it on a small area first to make sure it does not damage the fabric.
  • Do not use on delicate fabrics. Borax can be harsh on delicate fabrics, so it is best to avoid using it on these types of fabrics.

Alternatives to Borax

If you are unable to find borax, there are a few other natural ingredients that you can use in its place. These include:

  • Baking soda: Baking soda is a natural cleaning agent that can help to remove stains and brighten clothes.
  • Washing soda: Washing soda is a stronger cleaning agent than baking soda, and it can help to remove tough stains.
  • Lemon juice: Lemon juice is a natural stain remover and brightener. It can also help to deodorize clothes.

Wrap-Up

Making your own laundry detergent with borax is a great way to save money and reduce your exposure to harsh chemicals. Borax is a natural cleaning agent that is effective at removing stains, brightening clothes, and softening water. By following the instructions in this blog post, you can easily make your own laundry detergent with borax and enjoy the benefits of a clean and fresh laundry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is borax safe to use in laundry detergent?
A: Yes, borax is safe to use in laundry detergent. It is a natural mineral that has been used for centuries as a cleaning agent.

Q: How much borax should I use in laundry detergent?
A: 1/2 cup of borax per load is usually sufficient.

Q: Can I use borax on delicate fabrics?
A: No, it is best to avoid using borax on delicate fabrics.

Q: What are some alternatives to borax?
A: Some alternatives to borax include baking soda, washing soda, and lemon juice.

Q: How do I store homemade laundry detergent with borax?
A: Store homemade laundry detergent with borax in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

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Rob Sanders

Rob is a seasoned home improvement writer with over 15 years of experience researching and recommending products for the home. Prior to starting Nurturing Homeaid, he wrote extensively for This Old House magazine and has been featured as a home expert on several TV and radio programs. An avid DIY-er, Rob takes pride in testing out the latest tools and gadgets to see how they can make home projects easier. When it comes to heating systems, he's evaluated over 50 different furnace and boiler models over the years. Rob founded Nurturing Homeaid with his business partner Jim in 2020 to provide homeowners with genuine product recommendations they can trust. In his free time, Rob enjoys remodeling old homes with his family and traveling to visit architectural landmarks across the country. He holds a bachelor's degree in Journalism from Syracuse University.
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