When you are interested in homemade laundry, the desire to do your natural laundry quickly becomes obvious. Ecological detergents are indeed better for the planet and for our health. Our wallet is not any worse off either, because the ingredients used to make laundry detergent are often inexpensive, multi-use and usable for several months for many different household product recipes. We can therefore without reservation try the classic detergent with Marseille soap or Aleppo soap shavings or flakes. However, nothing is more eco-friendly and zero waste than laundry detergent that allows you to use what you already have on hand. This is the case, for example, of wood ash laundry detergent, but also of ivy laundry detergent, the easy recipe of which we present to you today!
What are the advantages and disadvantages of ivy laundry detergent?
In addition to the fact that it is easy to do and free of toxic chemicals, this laundry has the advantage of being made with raw materials found in gardens or during our walks in the forest. Since climbing ivy is invasive, it is an almost inexhaustible source at your fingertips and free all year round ! Like soapwort or chestnuts which are also used for laundry, these leaves contain saponins (a natural cleansing agent). These surfactants have detergent, sanitizing and foaming properties. This explains why this detergent cleans very well. Used pure, it is ideal for colored or dark linen and delicate linen.
Please note that this detergent has a fairly neutral smell. If you want your laundry to smell good, avoid essential oils which can pollute the water and cause allergies. Instead of drops of lavender essential oil, use a natural fragrance (organic store or online)! In addition, some very sensitive skin cannot tolerate this detergent. In case of allergies, irritations or for babies, take care and carefully monitor possible skin reactions. Finally, note that its conservation is not exceptional. Fortunately, it is easy and quick to make. And if we haven’t finished our container within three weeks/one month, we can still use it for cleaning floors !
How to do ivy laundry?
The ingredients:
50 fresh climbing ivy leaves (approximately 50 g)
1 liter of cold water in a saucepan
An old laundry detergent container or glass bottle
The recipe step by step:
1) First, put on gloves to pick and clean the leaves if you have sensitive skin. Take well climbing ivy (the one that rises along surfaces), and not ground cover ivy. Since the stems do not contain saponins, it is better to remove them to get the real weight of your harvest. Clean the leaves with clean water, rubbing well.
Warning: You cannot dry or store them. Use them immediately after collection.
2) Then immerse the leaves in 1l of water. Carefully crumple the leaves in the water to release the saponins. Then bring everything to the boil, then let it infuse for 15 minutes over low heat, covering the pan.
3) Turn off the heat and leave to macerate for 24 hours under cover.
4) Finally, filter your laundry using cheesecloth or a fine cloth. It’s ready.
No time to prepare your liquid laundry detergent? Drag one thirty fresh ivy leaves in a net to slide directly into the drum of the machine. It’s very effective!
How to use your homemade detergent?
It keeps approximately three weeks to one month in a cool place away from light. It is possible to keep it in the fridge for better conservation. Some even freeze small quantities!
How much to use in the washing machine? Each time you wash, use the equivalent of approximately two capfuls of traditional detergent in the dedicated compartment. For a perfect result against stubborn stains, we recommend stain removal before washing with real Marseille soap or with a stain remover made from liquid black soap and bicarbonate. To your dose of detergent, you can add a spoonful of baking soda if the laundry is very dirty. Also think about sodium percarbonate to preserve the shine of white linen and for whitening (also a spoon). Finally, use 50 to 100 ml of white vinegar as a softener.