Have you ever thought about making your own washing powder? Not only would this save you money, but it would also it is an ecological approach that reduces the use of chemicals. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of creating your own washing powder and provide you with an easy recipe to get started.
The benefits of creating your own washing powder
Making your washing powder has several advantagesamong which :
- Save Money: You can drastically reduce the cost of your laundry detergent by using cheap, readily available ingredients.
- Be more respectful of the environment: by choosing natural products and avoiding plastic packaging, you reduce your ecological impact.
- Adapt the recipe to your needs: you can customize your detergent according to the hardness of your water or your preferences in terms of perfume, for example.
- Control the ingredients: you know exactly what your detergent contains, and can thus avoid irritating or allergenic substances.
The basic recipe for making your own washing powder
For this simple and effective recipe, you will need the following ingredients and equipment:
- Marseille soap (300g)
- Baking soda (300g)
- Soda crystals (300g)
- Sodium percarbonate (200g) – optional
- A large container or salad bowl
- A mixer or blender to reduce the soap to powder
- An airtight jar to store the detergent
Note that this recipe is editable according to your needs and preferences. For example, if you want a softer detergent, you can decrease the amount of soda ash used.
Step 1: Prepare the Marseille soap
First, grate the Marseille soap with a cheese grater or peeler. This step can be a bit long, but it’s essential to obtain a fine powder that will dissolve easily in water.
Then, put the soap shavings in a mixer or blender until you obtain a fine powder. Be sure to protect your eyes and nose during this operation, as the soap can irritate the mucous membranes.
Step 2: Mix the ingredients
In a large container, mix the dry ingredients in the following proportions:
- 300g Marseille soap powder
- 300g baking soda
- 300g of soda crystal
- 200g sodium percarbonate (optional)
Mix well to obtain a homogeneous powder. If you wish, you can add a few drops of essential oils to perfume your laundry.
Step 3: Storing and using washing powder
Transfer the washing powder to an airtight jar and store it away from moisture and light.
For each machine, use about two tablespoons of powdered detergent, adjusting the amount according to the size and soil level of your laundry. Feel free to experiment with different amounts to find the one that best suits your needs.
Tips and advice for personalizing your washing powder
Adapt the recipe according to the hardness of the water
If your water is very hard, you can increase the amount of baking soda or crystal soda used in the recipe. This will prevent scaling of your machine and improve the efficiency of your laundry.
Choose a natural scent
If you want to scent your washing powder, opt for essential oils rather than synthetic fragrances. You can use lavender, sweet orange, lemon or eucalyptus essential oils, for example.
Add specific ingredients for enhanced action
For even more effective laundry on certain tasks, you can add specific ingredients to the recipe:
- Sodium percarbonate for a powerful whitening and stain-removing action
- Enzymes (proteases, lipases) to remove protein or greasy stains
- A natural fabric softener such as white vinegar or citric acid to soften the laundry
With these tips and this simple recipe, you are now ready to make your own effective and economical washing powder!
