When you decide to do your own homemade laundry, you can quickly feel lost in a myriad of possibilities that are as ecological and biodegradable as zero waste: chestnut laundry, ivy laundry, ash laundry, liquid black soap laundry… However, all These detergents are liquid and not everyone likes that. In fact, they are not always the easiest to dose. Furthermore, we find ourselves juggling between hard water, a sometimes pasty texture and infusion times that are often quite long. However, these are problems that we wipe away with the back of the hand by opting for the recipe that is as quick to make as it is easy for washing powder without surfactants which are bad for sensitive skin or for the environment.
The ingredients:
-100 g of Marseille soap flakes or shavings
-60 g of soda crystals (softener for water and therefore clothes, descaling, cleaning to help rinse Marseille soap and improve its effectiveness)
-40 g of baking soda (stain remover and deodorizer against bad odors in laundry) -Airtight glass jar
Above all, be wary of fake Marseille soap stuffed with glycerin in supermarkets. In fact, they clog the washing machine. And if the eco-friendly side is important to you, also check that there is no palm oil in the soap.
And to add a pleasant smell?
Scenting laundry detergent makes it less hypoallergenic. If, however, you can’t do without a good smell, adding a few drops of lavender, tea tree or lavandin essential oil is not the best plan. Indeed, the smell will not remain on the linen and these medicinal essences are not perfumes. They can also stain laundry since they are oils. So prefer to opt for a natural fragrance and refer to the instructions for use to know how much to use!
The recipe for washing powder step by step:
1) First of all, you may need to grate or mix the Marseille soap if you do not buy it already grated. To put it in the blender without any problems, remember to cut the block into pieces beforehand.
2) Next, mix the soap with the other ingredients. The goal here is to obtain a fine, smooth powder.
3) Then transfer your washing powder into the jar. And it’s already ready!
Do not hesitate to multiply the doses to make larger quantities. This will give you peace of mind for longer.
How to use your ecological washing powder?
For lightly soiled laundry, a tablespoon of detergent will be more than enough. To wash white laundry, do not hesitate to add a spoonful of percarbonate of soda which allows laundry to be bleached as well as to remove stains. If the laundry is dirtier, put two tablespoons in the dedicated compartment instead. If you are washing reusable diapers for example, you should not hesitate to increase the dose. Then, top up with a little white vinegar to replace the fabric softener each time you use it. Then run a wash cycle at 40°C minimum on the washing machine. For delicate laundry that must be washed at 30°C, it will be better to bring out your bottle of homemade liquid detergent.
What are the good reasons to go for this washing powder recipe?
First of all, making your own laundry detergent has many benefits. In particular, you have a full control over the ingredients usedwhich allows you to avoid potentially irritating chemicals found in some commercial detergents. These natural ingredients are also more environmentally friendly and thus reduce the overall ecological impact of your laundryespecially since we create less waste in the process, especially if we opt for a glass or metal container, or if we recycle an old cardboard container. Doing your own laundry is also very economical in the long termbecause the basic ingredients are affordable and last a long time. This finally allows you to adjust the ingredients and personalize your scent.
Furthermore, favoring powder detergent over liquid detergent also has certain benefits. Powdered products have in particular a longer shelf life than liquids, making them convenient for long-term storage without loss of efficiency. Due to their solid nature, powder detergents also have less risk of spillage compared to liquid detergents, providing a solution cleaner and easier to handle. Finally, while the liquid version is often prized for its stain removal effectiveness, the powder is recognized for its more powerful whitening effectespecially if you add percarbonate of soda.