Make: Essential Oil Laundry Detergent

June 20, 2014

Make your own essential oil laundry detergent via IHOD Make your own essential oil laundry detergent! I have been trying to find ways to integrate essential oils into our lifestyle more since there are hundreds of benefits from them. I was already using this detergent recipe (which literally comes out to 1 cent per load!).  I added a few essential oils to enhance the smell but also reap the health benefits. Have you all seen Lindsay Coletta’s work yet?

She is an all star when it comes to floral design and she styled this shoot for me! And you might be able to guess by how beautiful these photos turned out that the photography is by Haley Sheffield. My dream team! 

Ingredients:
Lavender or Lemon Essential Oil
Balance Essential Oil blend
1/2 c. Borax
1 Bar Soap (I use Fels-Naptha or Ivory)
1 c. Baking Soda
5 Gallon Bucket
To use as gifts, head to Hobby Lobby in the bottle section for those pictured above! You can add some lemons and flowers to complete a gift basket:)

Instructions: There are several versions  for the base detergent on the web, but this is what I have found most successful.
1) Grate your entire bar of soap with a cheese grater.
2) Boil a teapot of water and add 5 cups to a pan. Add your grated soap bar. Stir over medium with a wooden spoon until fully melted.
3) Fill your 5 gallon bucket with hot water and stir in the borax, baking soda, and soap mixture till dissolved. Use a giant ladel or spoon to stir.
4) Add in several drops of each essential oil you choose to use. This will enhance the smell and benefit stress and anxiety relief!
5) Fill the rest of the bucket with cold water and stir again. Cover and let sit overnight.
6) In the morning you will have a gel type liquid. You may need to stir it up before you use each time.

Hope this is useful for you all! If you have any questions I will try to answer them in the comment section so everyone can see if they have the same questions:)

Happy weekend!
x, Anna

Leave a Comment

  • Rose D'Angelo Designs

    This is a great idea! I’m always looking for ways to incorporate essential oils into our everyday lives!!

  • Oh, this is wonderful! I never really considered making my own because I assumed it was a tedious task. This sounds so easy! AND WORTH IT! How much do you use per full load? Also, could I use just lavender Essential Oil and leave out the balance?

    • Hi Nikki! I was the same way so was kind of shocked how easy it was to make! I use a ladle full for each load and you totally can leave out any essential oil!

  • This is a wonderful idea! Thank you for sharing! I’ve been wanting to make my own detergent for a while, and you sold me on this one since it has essential oils in it. 🙂

  • This is awesome! I definitely want to start using essential oils and this is definitely a great place to start! Great Idea!!

  • Maria Longoria

    I think this is a brilliant idea! My only concern is my washer comes with a warning label on using oils in the wash. Would this sort of oil be flammable? I don’t know much about essential oils…thanks!

    • Anna @ IHOD

      Hi Maria! Essential oils are actually okay since it is such a small amount and mixed in with the detergent. It only amounts to about 1 teaspoon at the most so you should be good!

      • Hi, I just made my first batch, and now I’m nervous about the essential oil I used. I want to make sure the essential oil I used isn’t going to stain or leave an oily residue on my clothes. I bought it from hobby lobby, the brand is crafty bubbles and it was a 0.5 ounce bottle of lavender. Is that the right type of essential oil??? I’m excited to be making my own detergent, IF this is the right oil. Thank you!!

        • Oh, and I put the whole 0.5 ounce bottle into the batch which made 5 gallons total.

          • Hi Rachel! I have not heard of that brand before:/ I used the oils linked above. I only use a few drops per batch, but hopefully .5 ounce is okay! Sorry I can’t be of more help! Hope it turns out!

  • […] MAKE: ESSENTIAL OIL LAUNDRY DETERGENT: I have been trying to find ways to integrate essential oils into our lifestyle more since there are hundreds of benefits from them. I was already using this detergent recipe (which literally comes out to 1 cent per load!).  I added a few essential oils to enhance the smell but also reap the health benefits.  Ingredients: Lavender or Lemon Essential Oil Balance Essential Oil blend 1/2 c. Borax 1 Bar Soap (I use Fels-Naptha or Ivory) 1 c. Baking Soda 5 Gallon Bucket To use as gifts, head to Hobby Lobby in the bottle section for those pictured above! You can add some lemons and flowers to complete a gift basket:) […]

  • I have made powder laundry detergent before but never liquid (and I much prefer liquid detergent). I will definitely be trying this – thank anna!

  • […] made a hybrid using the recipes from several blogs and websites including Wellness Mama, and In Honor of Design. I halved the recipes a bit […]

  • Tammy G.

    Boston, Hobby Lobby has and will continue to pay for their women employee’s birth control. These employees have a choice of 14 different birth control methods to choose from. What they will not pay for is “abortifacients.” This is a great company, they pay twice the minimum wage to their employees.

    I don’t have a Hobby Lobby in the State I live in and am not affiliated with them in any way, but the truth must be told.

  • Jessica L

    Hi! I just made my first batch on Sunday. It hasn’t really gotten any thicker, just looks very milky. I am not sure I did it right! Help!

    • Hi Jessica,
      If it is milky it might be due to the temperatures when the water was mixed in or not enough borax? If you use a ladle you can still use and should clean laundry fine:)

  • […] case you missed: Essential Oil Laundry Detergent Essential Oil Body Balm Essential Oil Body […]

Copyright © 2024 In Honor Of Design powered by chloédigital