Laundry Washing Powder (Low Tox)
Suitable for top and front loader machines
I started making my own Laundry Washing Powder when I was looking for a cheaper low tox alternative to the standard supermarket detergents that are full of fillers, artificial fragrances and who know what else. Over the last year or so, I've developed a quick method to put together a store of detergent that lasts me for weeks / months
I have five plastic 2.35 L sistema containers that work well for me. I used to use these to store food in the kitchen, until I decided to remove the plastics out of the kitchen and changed over to glass. The containers have been repurposed for my washing detergent. One is in the laundry cupboard being used, and the other four I refill when I am about half way through the last container of powder. Depending on your usage and storage capabilities, you could make up what you need as you go (1 container), or as many as suits you (2 or more). I'm all into saving time and doing it in bulk makes ir a more efficient process for me.
I've also created some handy labels to attach to your containers so that you don't have to dig out a recipe every time you refill them.
I've also created some handy labels to attach to your containers so that you don't have to dig out a recipe every time you refill them.
What you need:
Large (plastic) containers. If you are going to make refills in bulk it works best if all the containers are identical (weight).
per container:
250g coconut soap powder
400g fine (milled) salt
500g natural borax
500g Sodium Carbonate (Washing Soda)
50g Sodium Bicarbonate (Bicarb Soda, Baking Soda)
1 Tablespoon of Essential Oil (optional). eg Tea Tree oil, Lemon oil, Lavender Oil
Here in Australia I source a lot of my ingredients from https://www.blants.com.au/
Postage is expensive here, so I buy in bulk and store it in my garage until I need it.
Large (plastic) containers. If you are going to make refills in bulk it works best if all the containers are identical (weight).
per container:
250g coconut soap powder
400g fine (milled) salt
500g natural borax
500g Sodium Carbonate (Washing Soda)
50g Sodium Bicarbonate (Bicarb Soda, Baking Soda)
1 Tablespoon of Essential Oil (optional). eg Tea Tree oil, Lemon oil, Lavender Oil
Here in Australia I source a lot of my ingredients from https://www.blants.com.au/
Postage is expensive here, so I buy in bulk and store it in my garage until I need it.
The recipe can be printed out below in either pdf or jpg
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Instructions:
Measure the ingredients into each container, shake well to combine.
A well ventilated area is advised - our even outside. When measuring out the ingredients (especially the coconut soap powder) a lot of dust can form - I prefer to minimise inhalation of this as much as possible.
Use 1-2 tablespoons per wash. Experiment to see how little you need per wash for your machine.
I use this in my front loader machine without any problems.
Measure the ingredients into each container, shake well to combine.
A well ventilated area is advised - our even outside. When measuring out the ingredients (especially the coconut soap powder) a lot of dust can form - I prefer to minimise inhalation of this as much as possible.
Use 1-2 tablespoons per wash. Experiment to see how little you need per wash for your machine.
I use this in my front loader machine without any problems.
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How to make the powder refills in bulk (Containers must all be of the same weight):
1. Put one empty container onto the scales and tare to zero. |
Scales set to zero with the empty container
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2. Add 250g of the coconut soap powder into each of your containers. As all your containers are the same weight, you do not need to tare the scales for each container.
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Add 250g or the Coconut soap powder to each container.
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3. After you have finished putting the coconut soap into each container, tare the scales again, back to zero.
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Tare the scales back to zero after all the containers have the coconut soap powder in them.
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4. Next add 400g of salt to each of the containers.
Because the scales have been set to read zero when each container with the coconut soap is placed on them you just add the salt until the scale reads 400g. |
Add in 400g of the salt to each container.
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5. Once all the containers have had salt added, tare the scales again.
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Tare the scales back to zero again.
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6. Continue the process for each ingredient:
Add 500g natural borax to each container, then tare the scales to zero Add 500g Sodium Carbonate to each container, then tare the scales to zero Add 50g Sodium Bicarbonate (Bicarb Soda, Baking Soda) |
Each container contains coconut soap powder, salt, borax, sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate.
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7. Add one tablespoon of essential oils to each container (optional)
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8. Shake to mix
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9. Printable recipe reminders for the containers. Handy so that you don't have to go hunting for the recipe every time you make refills. Print them from below in either pdf or jpg. Cut them out and stick them to your containers. I like to use some clear packing tape which protects the labels from water damage in the laundry.
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