What are the cons of homemade laundry detergent?

Author: Eddie Frami  |  Last update: Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Generally speaking, making your own laundry detergent simply is not worth the risk.
  • It Can Ruin Your Clothes. ...
  • You May Not Get the Mixture Right. ...
  • It's Soap, Not Detergent. ...
  • It Could Trigger Allergies. ...
  • It Could Be Dangerous. ...
  • It Won't Be as Eco-Friendly. ...
  • It Can React Poorly to the Water. ...
  • "Natural" Doesn't Always Mean Better.

Is homemade detergent bad for your washer?

Use of a high-sudsing soap in an HE machine will hamper performance/efficiency in the short term, and can eventually wear on the machine. So: As long as your homemade detergent is low-sudsing, it should be fine to use.

Does borax damage clothes?

Yet, borax is not as strong as chlorine bleach, meaning it won't damage your clothes with regular use. From the alkalinity boost and hard-water softening to oxidative properties, there are many reasons why borax is one powerful laundry additive.

Does homemade laundry detergent go bad?

5 DIY Powder Laundry Detergents I recommend making up no more than enough to last for 3 months at a time. The detergent itself will not expire or go bad. However, exposure to humidity can cause the detergent to eventually lose some of its free-flowing ability.

What is the best substitute for laundry detergent?

  • Baking Soda: Add about 1/2 cup to your laundry load.
  • White Vinegar: Use 1 cup of white vinegar in place of detergent.
  • Borax: This is a natural mineral that can be used as a laundry booster.
  • Washing Soda (Sodium Carbonate): Similar to baking soda, washing soda can help remove stains and odors.
  • Castile Soap: A natural

Why I Don't make Homemade Laundry Soap Anymore

Is it cheaper to make your own laundry detergent or buy it?

In some cases, it's certainly cheaper to make homemade laundry detergent than buy it in a store. However, the high likelihood of it causing damage to your clothes or washing machine outweighs the upfront costs (and time investment), so it's better to use a trusted brand over making it yourself.

What is the most natural laundry detergent?

The best non-toxic laundry detergent is one that delivers cleanliness to your clothes while ensuring safety and sustainability.
  • NaturOli* (Our Top Pick)
  • Truly Free*
  • Ecos Free & Clear*
  • Meliora Unscented Powder Detergent*
  • Molly's Suds*
  • Aspen*
  • ATTITUDE*
  • Clean Cult*

How do the Amish make laundry soap?

Amish Laundry Soap Recipe
  1. ½ cup washing soda (Arm and Hammer works)
  2. 1 ½ cup of Borax.
  3. 1 Bar of Fels Naptha Soap.
  4. 5-Gallon bucket completely cleaned out.
  5. Stove pot.
  6. Medium bowl.

Why is my homemade laundry detergent clumping?

The clumping or hardening action is hastened with moisture and heat. Our original recipe for how to make liquid laundry detergent instructed you to mix the borax and washing soda with hot tap water to dissolve them before proceeding with the other ingredients.

Can you use 10 year old laundry detergent?

What Happens if You Use Expired Laundry Detergent? The good news about laundry detergent is that even with an expiration date, they aren't like food or other perishable items. Expired laundry detergents simply become less effective and fragrant over time, reducing their cleaning power.

Why is borax banned?

Borax is not banned in the US. However, the EPA classifies it as a “moderate” acute toxicity substance, meaning it can cause harm in higher doses or prolonged exposure, especially if it is ingested or comes into contact with eyes. In the European Union, borax has a more severe classification.

What does baking soda do for laundry?

Baking soda can be a beneficial laundry aid as it offers stain removal, odor elimination, fabric softening and detergent boosting potential. It's versatile and eco-friendly, and using a small amount in your wash load may leave your clothing cleaner, fresher and softer.

What is the best laundry detergent?

The Best Laundry Detergent
  • Top pick. Tide Ultra Oxi Powder Laundry Detergent. ...
  • Top pick. Tide Free & Gentle Liquid Laundry Detergent. ...
  • Runner-up. Persil Original Liquid Detergent Everyday Clean. ...
  • Best for... Tide Pods Free & Gentle Laundry Detergent. ...
  • Best for... Dirty Labs Free & Clear Bio Laundry Detergent.

Is Castile soap bad for the washing machine?

Can I use castile soap in the washing machine? Absolutely. You can use grated bar or liquid castile soap in the washing machine. It's an eco-friendly alternative to commercial detergent that won't harm your machine or your clothes.

Is fels naptha safe for washers?

According to Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), Fels-Naptha is safe for consumer use in the laundry, but the MSDS warns about occupational hazards, and those working with Fels-Naptha soap in industrial settings are required to wear safety gear including goggles and gloves because it is an irritant.

Is homemade laundry detergent safe for septic systems?

Homemade laundry products are safe to use with septic systems because they do not contain soil-clogging fillers.

Which cleans better, powder or liquid detergent?

Powerful cleaning agents that can be included in powdered detergent formulas, but not liquid forms, work to help remove mud, grass or clay stains. Liquid detergent is best used for grease or oil stains on your day to day items, because of its ability to help release and break down stains in fabrics.

How do you keep homemade laundry detergent from separating?

As mentioned earlier, homemade laundry detergent can and will separate – it doesn't contain stabilizers to keep it homogenous. The remedy for this is simple: fill containers only two-thirds to three-fourths full to allow airspace at the top for shaking or re-blending.

What does the Amish use for toilet paper?

While mainstream society quickly embraced toilet paper's convenience and hygiene benefits, many Amish communities continued using traditional materials like leaves, rags, or corn cobs for personal sanitation.

What is the best soap for homemade laundry detergent?

Most people who make their own laundry soap use fels naptha bar soap. However, it does contain talc so I prefer not to use it. Zote is a popular non-toxic option. I use Castile soap and it works really well plus grates very easily.

What did pioneers use for laundry soap?

The soap was handmade using tallow, lye, and water. Lye is made from wood ashes usually gathered from the fireplace and put in a wooden hopper. They typically needed about one wooden barrel of ashes to make the lye. The pioneers poured about 4 liters of water over the ashes to soak them.

Is Molly Suds really non-toxic?

Unlike most surfactants, this one is completely biodegradable, GMO-free, and does not contain parabens, phthalates, laureth sulfates, or other hazardous, harsh endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Coco glucoside is a mild ingredient safe for even the most sensitive skin, and safe for septic tanks and HE washing machines.

What is the closest thing to laundry detergent?

10 Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent Alternatives For When You've Run Out
  1. Baking soda. Baking soda, aka sodium bicarbonate, is a naturally occurring substance that can do wonders for your laundry. ...
  2. White vinegar. ...
  3. Lemon juice. ...
  4. Borax. ...
  5. Dishwashing soap or liquid. ...
  6. Shampoo. ...
  7. Body Wash. ...
  8. A Bar of Soap.

Is Arm and Hammer good laundry detergent?

Customers say that Arm & Hammer Plus OxiClean Fresh Scent laundry detergent effectively tackles tough stains while leaving clothes smelling fresh and clean. Many appreciate its pleasant scent, stain-fighting capabilities, and affordability, making it a popular choice for families.

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