Do you ever wonder how to stretch your household budget further? Or perhaps you’re looking for more eco-friendly alternatives to commercial products? Whatever the case, you’ve come to the right place! Today, we’re going to take a deep dive into the world of homemade laundry detergent, but with a twist – we’re adding OxiClean to our mix! You can even make your own Oxiclean, go here, how to make homemade oxiclean!
But before we get into the recipe, let’s talk about why homemade laundry detergent can be such a game-changer.
Why Homemade Laundry Detergent?
Cost-Effective: With just a few ingredients that you probably have in your pantry, you can create gallons of laundry detergent. This is much cheaper compared to buying commercial brands.
Eco-Friendly: Homemade detergents are often free from harmful chemicals that could harm our environment.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Since you control the ingredients, homemade laundry detergents are typically more skin-friendly, especially if you or a family member has sensitive skin.
Now, let’s talk about OxiClean. This product has become a popular choice due to its excellent ability to remove tough stains. It works by releasing oxygen when it encounters water, which results in a fizzing action that can break up and lift stains.
Ingredients:
To create our homemade laundry detergent with OxiClean, you will need:
- 1 bar of soap (Fels Naptha is an excellent choice)
- 1 cup of washing soda (Also known as soda ash, it’s great for removing stains and smells)
- 1 cup of borax (Borax is a natural mineral that is safe for the environment and great at cleaning clothes)
- 1/2 cup of OxiClean (The secret weapon for tackling stubborn stains)
In addition to these ingredients, you’ll need a large 5-gallon bucket, a grater, and a saucepan.
Step by Step Guide:
- Grate Your Soap: The first step is to grate the soap. It’s just like grating a block of cheese. The smaller the pieces, the easier they’ll dissolve.
- Create a Soap Mixture: Next, in a saucepan, mix the grated soap with 4 cups of water. Heat this over medium heat until all the soap has melted. Stir frequently to prevent it from burning.
- Prepare Your Bucket: While your soap is melting, fill up your bucket about halfway with hot tap water.
- Combine Ingredients: Now, you’re going to add the soap mixture, washing soda, borax, and OxiClean to the bucket. Stir well until everything is thoroughly dissolved.
- Top It Off: Add more water to the bucket, leaving about 5 inches from the top. Stir again.
- Let It Rest: Now, let your mixture sit overnight. It will turn into a gel-like consistency. Don’t worry if it’s lumpy or separated, this is normal.
- Stir and Store: In the morning, give it a good stir or shake. You can store your detergent in the same bucket or transfer it to smaller containers for easier use.
- Use Your Detergent: To use your homemade detergent, add 1/2 cup per load. If you’re dealing with a particularly stubborn stain, you can even pre-treat it with a little of this mixture.
This recipe makes a lot of detergent. You’ll find that it’s a budget-friendly, eco-friendly way to clean your clothes. Plus, with the added OxiClean, your whites will be brighter and your colors more vibrant.
The Magic of OxiClean
Why is OxiClean a perfect addition to our homemade laundry detergent recipe? Well, OxiClean, or sodium percarbonate, is a powerful, non-toxic cleaning agent that can handle a wide variety of stains, even those that are notorious for ruining your trendy clothing. Whether it’s grass stains on your kid’s jeans or that red wine spot on your favorite blouse, OxiClean has got your back.
Variations
This laundry detergent recipe is quite versatile. If you want to experiment with different soaps or add a few drops of essential oils for a pleasant scent, feel free! Just remember, if you have someone with sensitive skin in your household, you might want to stick to a fragrance-free soap and skip the essential oils.
Using Homemade Laundry Detergent in Different Types of Washing Machines
You might be wondering, can I use this homemade laundry detergent in my HE (High Efficiency) washing machine? The answer is yes! Because our recipe is low-sudsing, it’s suitable for both regular and HE machines.
Remember to place the detergent directly into the drum of your HE machine, not the detergent dispenser. This allows the soap to work directly on the fabrics, improving its effectiveness.
For those with a regular washing machine, just use the detergent as you would with any commercial product.
Troubleshooting Your Homemade Laundry Detergent
Sometimes, when making homemade detergent, you might run into a few issues. Here’s how to troubleshoot them:
- Detergent is Too Thick or Gel-Like: If this happens, don’t worry! This is normal. It just means the soap has cooled and solidified, which it’s supposed to do. Give it a good stir before each use.
- Detergent is Separating: Again, a quick stir or shake will bring everything back together.
- Soap Not Dissolving in Cold Water: This can happen sometimes. To fix it, dissolve the necessary amount of detergent in a cup of warm water before adding it to your wash.
In conclusion, creating your own homemade laundry detergent with OxiClean is not just about saving money, it’s also about taking control of the products you’re using in your home and minimizing your family’s exposure to harsh chemicals. This easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide should empower you to take the leap into homemade detergent, knowing you’re doing something great for your family, your wallet, and the environment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Homemade Laundry Detergent with Oxiclean
- Can I use a different soap? Absolutely! You can use any bar soap you like. Ivory or Castile soap are great options too. Just keep in mind, some soaps may not clean as well as Fels Naptha.
- What if I can’t find washing soda or borax? No worries, you can use baking soda instead of washing soda. For borax, try a laundry booster like OxiClean.
- How to make a fragrance-free detergent? Simple! Just use a fragrance-free soap bar and skip the essential oils.
- Can homemade detergent harm my washing machine? Not at all. This detergent is gentle on your machine. But remember, always use the right amount to avoid any soap buildup.
- How do I store my homemade detergent? You can keep it right in the bucket, or you can pour it into smaller containers. It’ll stay good for a long time, usually up to a year.
- Is there a liquid version I can make? This recipe actually creates a gel-like liquid detergent. But if you prefer a thinner, more liquidy detergent, just add more water!
- Any recommended essential oils? Lavender and lemon essential oils smell fantastic in laundry detergent, but you can use any scent you love!
- Can I double or halve this recipe? Absolutely! Feel free to make more or less depending on your needs. Just adjust the amount of each ingredient proportionately.
- Is it safe for baby clothes and cloth diapers? Yes, this detergent is gentle enough for baby clothes and cloth diapers. Just remember to use a fragrance-free soap if your baby has sensitive skin.
- Why is my detergent clumpy? That’s normal! Homemade detergent can get a bit lumpy. Just give it a stir before you use it, and it will work just fine to get your clothes clean.
I hope this helps make your DIY detergent journey easier. Happy washing!
