Homemade Lavender-Lemon Liquid Laundry Detergent

(If you want to skip the commentary and go straight to the recipe, scroll to the bottom.) 

 

I used to see posts on Facebook about people making their own laundry soap. Usually these friends were more of the granola-homeschooling-gardening-types. My first thought was, "Who has time for that?" quickly followed by, "And they sell pre-made stuff at the store. In pretty boxes and bottles!"

But a few months ago I started also seeing posts about the benefits of essential oils, so I thought maybe I would try some lavender to promote a peaceful environment. I figured if nothing else, it would be useful as an air freshener in my 2-year-old's bedroom. (Boys are so stinky, plus he's not potty trained yet.) So I stopped by the nearest health food store and bought a no-name brand of lavender oil.

When my sister Ruth found out, she was horrified. Unbeknownst to me, she had started using and selling essential oils--real essential oils--by a company called Young Living. She quickly educated me about how some oils are really just glorified perfume, while Young Living products are therapeutic grade pure oils from various plants. And that started my journey into Young Living oils and DIY home projects that smell really divine, have therapeutic benefits, and are fun to make.

One of the first things I wanted to make was my own laundry detergent. I did a lot of research and solicited the advice of many of you on your experiences with DIY detergent. Based on all the input, I came up with a recipe, tested it out, and will share it with you today. I call it Lavendula Laundry Soap. ("Lavendula" is the scientific name for lavender.) 

Did I like it? Will I continue using it? Will I make it again? Keep reading...

          

Ingredients:

• 2 gallons + 1 quart Boiling Water
• 1 bar Ivory soap grated
• 2 cups Borax
• 2 cups Washing Soda (not Baking Soda)
• 3 gallon bucket/garbage pail
• Empty containers to store the detergent
• Funnel
• Mixing Spoon/paint stick
• Blender
• An empty gallon-size milk jug (if desired) 

Instructions:

I was really excited to start, so as soon as I put Jackson down for his nap, I announced to my husband that were were GOING TO MAKE OUR OWN LAUNDRY SOAP! He wasn't nearly as excited as me, but having a science background, he was curious about the chemical/science part of it. (You really don't have to be scientific to make this; it's very straightforward. Please don't tell him.) So yes, we were going to do a SCIENCE EXPERIMENT!

I headed to the kitchen with my supplies, but to my dismay, there was a sink full of pancake batter bowls. (Yes, homemade pancakes and detergent in the same day, Oh my!). I could not make a cleaning product in an un-clean kitchen. So, I spent about 30 minutes washing dishes, cleaning and sanitizing the sink, wiping down the counters, and I even swept the floor.

Now that the kitchen was clean, I was really ready to start. I unpackaged the bar soap. (Dr. Brommer's Lavender bar soap is supposed to work really well, but I couldn't find any, so I got plain old Ivory. I think it was about a dollar for three bars.)

I'd heard from numerous sources that grating the bar soap was the most time consuming part of the Science Experiment, but I had a shortcut: my super-duper NINJA that my amazing MIL bought me last summer. We make smoothies just about every day in it, but I wasn't sure how it was going to handle bar soap. So I started by chopping the soap on a cutting board.

I added the chopped soap to the mixer, said a quick prayer, and pushed the button.

Presto-Magic!

It worked! (And my Ninja has never been cleaner.)

Then I started boiling one gallon of water. I used a clean milk jug to measure the 1 gallon since I didn't have any measuring cups that large, and I didn't want to do the math. I thought my large sauce pan would be large enough, but no, I had to get out this monstrosity.

While the water was boiling, I mixed the Borax and Washing Soda in a large bowl. Note: These are both available in the detergent aisle of your grocery store. I got mine at Ultra. I purchased "20-Mule Team" Borax, which I had heard was a good brand, and Arm & Hammer Soda. But be careful, Washing Soda is not the same as Baking Soda.

When the water had come to a nice boil (took forever in that huge pot), I poured it into my bucket, added the borax and washing soda, and stirred to dissolve into the water.

Note: Although I do not consider myself a weakling by any means, pouring a gallon of boiling water is not really a one-person job. Thankfully, my in-home Scientist was more than ready to assist.

Next, I boiled 1 quart of water and added the grated soap to it. I stirred it for quite a while with a whisk until the soap was completely melted with no chunks.

Then, I poured the melted soap into the bucket with the already dissolved borax/washing soda mixture and stirred.

I added the last gallon of boiling water to the bucket (it was really full) and mixed it all together.

I let it cool down for just a few minutes and then added 12 drops Young Living Essential Lavender oil and 6 drops Young Living Essential Lemon oil. This is where I was a little unsure. Should I have added more? Less? Keep reading.

I put the bucket in a safe place (out of reach of the now-awake toddler) and let it cool for about 2 hours. It started getting a little jelly like, so I stirred it up, and The Scientist helped me pour the gel into some empty containers. (I bought the two jars on the left for less than $5 at Savers, a nearby thrift store.)

I use between 1/4 and 1/2 cup of the detergent per load. It has a very jelly-like consistency.

And now the most important information....How did it turn out? Did it clean our clothes? How did it smell? Is it really cost-efficient? Was there anything I wish I had done differently?

Yes, it turned out great. Yes, it cleaned our clothes. The scent was very, very mild. I wish I had added more of the essential oils, but until I make more detergent, I will add a drop or two straight to the washer when I add the detergent. It was also very inexpensive to make. I saved the receipts so I could report exactly how much it cost, but they got lost in the bottom of my purse. Next time I'll try to do better. But believe me, it was cheap. (If you have any questions about Young Living Essential Oils, please let me know because I'm now a distributor.)

(That's not really my laundry basket. I totally stole this image off the Internet. My laundry never looks that nice.)

If you want to copy and paste the recipe without all my commentary, here it is:

Lavendula Liquid Laundry Detergent

                                               

Ingredients:

• 2 gallons + 1 quart Boiling Water

• 1 bar Ivory soap grated
• 2 cups Borax
• 2 cups Washing Soda
• 3 gallon bucket/garbage pail
• Empty jugs to store the detergent
• Funnel
• Mixing Spoon/paint stick
• Blender

Instructions:

1. Bring 1 gallon of water to a boil and pour into the bucket.
2. Add the borax and washing soda and stir to dissolve into the water.
3. Bring 1 quart of water to a boil and add the grated soap to it. Keep stirring (whisking) until the soap is completely melted with no chunks.
4. Pour the melted soap into the bucket with the already dissolved borax/washing soda mixture. Stir very well.
5. Add the last gallon of boiling water to the bucket and stir to mix.
6. Add 12 drops Young Living essential Lavender and 6 drops Young Living essential Lemon. (I would add even more next time!)
7. Let the detergent cool down a bit (about an hour or so).
8. Using the funnel, pour the detergent into your empty jugs.
9. Use between 1/4 to 1/2 cup per load, depending on size of load and filth-level.