In the wave of the DIY trend, homemade laundry soap has quickly gained traction.
More and more households are dipping their toes into this practice, spurred by the lure of cost-effectiveness and eco-friendliness.
Despite its growing popularity, though, it’s worth pausing and pondering: is creating your own laundry detergent genuinely beneficial for both your clothes and your washing machine?
In our deep dive today, we’ll probe into the advantages and drawbacks of homemade laundry detergents.
By dismantling myths and addressing crucial questions surrounding this topic, we’ll help you determine whether stirring up a batch of homemade detergent is indeed a smart move.
Pros And Cons Of Homemade Laundry Detergrent
When it comes to laundry, most people default to store-bought detergents.
But there’s a growing trend towards homemade alternatives that can be not only economical but also planet-friendly and skin-friendly.
However, these alternatives do come with their own set of drawbacks.
The Benefits of Homemade Detergents
Let’s talk money.
Homemade laundry detergent generally wins in terms of cost-effectiveness over its off-the-shelf counterparts.
A bar of soap, a cup each of borax and washing soda crystals can yield enough detergent for 20 loads.
Environmentally speaking, DIY detergents are a clear winner.
They bypass phosphates – notorious for their harmful effects on plants and wildlife – and help reduce single-use plastic waste from bags or bottles of conventional detergent.
For those with sensitive skin or specific allergies, homemade detergents can be a boon.
Opting out of artificial fragrances, dyes, and enzymes means reducing potential irritants and allergens.
They might even ease conditions like eczema.
The Drawbacks Worth Noting
Homemade laundry detergents aren’t without their challenges.
For one, they require an investment of time and effort – grating soap bars isn’t everyone’s idea of fun!
Plus, they demand careful storage to avoid clumping or spoilage.
From a performance perspective, DIY options may fall short in tackling stubborn stains and odors compared to their store-bought counterparts.
They may also leave residues or cause colors to fade or dull.
Without the presence of preservatives found in commercial products, homemade detergents can develop mold over time.
Last but not least is the issue of compatibility.
Your beloved high-efficiency washer may not play well with your homemade concoction due to its requirement for low-sudsing detergents.
Over time, homemade solutions could potentially clog pipes or damage seals in your washer.
If making your own laundry detergent piques your interest, take these pros and cons into account before diving in headfirst.
Always start with a smaller batch first – test its performance on a small load before subjecting your entire wardrobe (and washer!) to it.
Does Homemade Laundry Detergent Work In Cold Water?
The brouhaha surrounding homemade laundry detergent functioning in cold water is extensive but lacks depth because people often neglect the essential factors involved in its effectiveness.
Just like your grandma’s secret sauce recipe, its potency relies heavily on the quality of ingredients used in making it, and also on the hardness of your water.
Does Homemade Detergent Carry Its Weight in Cold Water?
Yes, indeed! However, you need to keep these cues under your belt while using it:
Liquid vs. Powder: The battle is skewed towards liquid detergent which effortlessly dissolves in cold water, unlike its powder counterpart that can leave behind undesired clumps or residues on your clothes.
A Hot Solution for Powder Detergent: If you’re a die-hard fan of powder detergent and want to use it with cold water – fear not! Simply dissolve the required amount in hot water by stirring it well. Pour this solution into your washer with your clothes and switch up the settings to cold water.
The Soft Water Assurance: Hard water can play spoilsport by interfering with the cleaning action of soap and causing mineral deposits on your clothes.
Meanwhile, soft water guarantees a smoother operation for your homemade detergent even when used with cold water due to improved solubility and rinse-ability.
If hard water is an unavoidable circumstance for you, try using distilled water for making your detergent or add a pinch of vinegar or citric acid as a softener to your washer.
Is Homemade Laundry Detergent Safe For HE Washers?
It’s not uncommon to wonder whether or not homemade detergent is safe for use in high-efficiency (HE) washers.
These appliances require low-sudsing detergents that don’t leave residues behind or cause buildup.
And while it’s tempting to whip up a batch of DIY laundry soap, continual usage in your HE washer may not be the smartest choice.
Why so?
Homemade laundry detergent can differ greatly from standard commercial options designed for HE washers, particularly in concentration and sudsing capability.
It’s lacking in the low-suds formula that prevents residue build-up, which is crucial for the optimal performance of your appliance.
Over time, it might lead to decreased efficiency and potentially damaging effects on your washer.
If you’re keen on using homemade options, there are a few precautions you can take.
First, consider reducing the amount of laundry detergent per load since it could be more concentrated than commercial varieties.
More importantly, remember to keep an eye on regular maintenance: a clean washer ensures an absence of unpleasant odor and prevents lint and residue built-up from over time.
How can you achieve this?
Easy household items like vinegar, baking soda or bleach can do an excellent job of keeping your washing machine sparkling clean.
Is Homemade Laundry Detergent Bad For Your Clothes?
The lure of homemade and all-natural products is ever enticing, but does the same stand true for laundry detergent?
Often, recipes for homemade laundry detergents include soap as an integral component.
Contrary to popular belief though, soap and detergent are not interchangeable.
Soap is a natural product derived from fats and oils, while detergent is a synthetic concoction.
The catch here?
Soap may leave undesirable residue on your clothes as well as inside your washing machine, particularly if you have hard water at home.
Over time, your shiny clothes might just lose their sparkle under the influence of subpar cleaning agents; they could even be stained by soap residue.
Another issue?
Homemade laundry detergents simply might not be up to par when it comes to performance.
They may not dissolve efficiently, may lack stain-fighting power, or fail to preserve color vibrancy.
Typically, optical brighteners (chemicals that give your clothes that ‘new’ look) are glaringly absent in these homemade mixes.
Opting for homemade detergent might entail additional work too – keeping a stain remover on hand and introducing fabric boosters into every wash cycle.
So before you turn into a DIY detergent mastermind, pause to ask yourself: do the potential drawbacks outweigh the benefits?
Is Homemade Laundry Detergent Safer Than Store Bought?
Commercial laundry detergents can often contain an assortment of toxic and harsh ingredients, which may trigger skin reactions or even adversely affect your health over time.
Plus, these potentially harmful substances can seep into our waterways during the washing process, contributing to environmental pollution.
Homemade laundry detergents on the other hand are typically crafted with non-toxic ingredients that are gentle on both your skin and the fabric of your clothes.
You maintain complete control over the ingredients used, meaning you determine which fragrances – if any – to add to your detergent.
This is a great alternative for those sensitive to the often overpowering scents found in commercial products.
But Does It Clean As Well As Store Bought?
While homemade detergents are undoubtedly safer, they don’t necessarily clean better than commercially made detergent.
Commercially made detergents contain specific formulations designed to target all aspects of laundry care – from water softening to stain removal.
Consequently, when it comes down to sheer cleaning power, commercial options have a bit of an edge.
