Looking to reduce your environmental footprint and cut down on chemical exposure? Discover 11 DIY eco-friendly laundry detergent substitutes that are both effective and gentle on the planet. These alternatives offer a greener approach to keeping your clothes clean and fresh without compromising cleanliness.
11 Best Laundry Detergent Substitute
The following substitutes for laundry detergent work great when you're in a rush:
Vinegar and Baking Soda
When you're facing tough stains on your clothes and find yourself short on laundry detergent, turn to vinegar and baking soda.
- In your washing clothes, add half a cup of baking soda.
- For extra grease-fighting power, mix in a small squirt of Dawn.
- Pour half a cup of vinegar as a fabric softener during the rinse cycle.
Try Baking Soda and Lemon Juice
If vinegar is unavailable, lemon juice is the best substitute for laundry detergent, and combined with baking soda, it can do wonders for white and colored laundry.
- Add ½ cup of baking soda, vinegar, and half a cup of lemon juice during the rinse cycle.
- For stubborn stains, consider using lemon juice as a pre-treatment before washing.
Use Shampoo or Body Wash
If you need to hand wash your clothes without laundry detergent, use a mild, fragrance-free body wash, hand soap, or shampoo. While it will give your clothes a clean feel, removing stains might be less effective. So, it's a good idea to treat stains separately before washing.
- Choose a gentle body wash or shampoo without added ingredients or moisturizers.
- If you're a parent, baby shampoo or body wash can work well.
- Fill a large tub with warm water.
- Mix a small amount of shampoo/body wash into a lather.
- Soak your clothes in the soapy water, ensuring they're fully submerged.
- Rinse thoroughly with warm or cold water and air dry or tumble dry.
Try Soap Nuts
Soap nuts are a cost-effective and one of the best eco-friendly laundry detergent substitutes for cleaning clothes. They contain natural compounds that clean and soften fabrics without harmful chemicals.
- Place 4-5 soap nuts in a cotton pouch and toss them in with your usual laundry.
- Soap nuts are reusable and are biodegradable.
Use White Vinegar
Distilled white vinegar can be an alternative for tackling stains and odors when you're out of laundry detergent.
- Add ½ a cup of white vinegar (distilled) to the washing cycle.
- The vinegar will help remove stains and leave your clothes smelling fresh.
- Once your laundry is dry, the vinegar smell will disappear.
Use Borax
Borax is a versatile laundry detergent substitute that can brighten whites and combat hard water in your laundry.
- Add half a cup of borax to a large load of laundry.
- Wash and dry your clothes as usual.
Note: Be cautious when using borax, as it can cause skin irritation for some people.
Use Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is great for brightening colored and white clothes while eliminating odors.
- Pour about half a cup of lemon juice into a regular-sized load of laundry to break down stains.
- Wash and dry your clothes as usual to reveal refreshed and brightened fabrics.
Use Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a handy laundry detergent substitute for stain-free and bright white laundry.
- Fill the washer with water for a regular load.
- In water, add a cup of hydrogen peroxide.
- Run the washing cycle as usual to reveal fresh and bright whites.
Use Oxygen-Based Bleach for Whites and Colors
Oxygen-based bleach, not chlorine bleach, is safe for white and colored clothes when you're out of laundry detergent.
- Add half a cup of oxygen-based bleach to the washing machine drum.
- Add your clothes and run the washing cycle as usual to keep your fabrics clean and bright.
Final Words
By embracing these eco-friendly laundry detergent substitutes, you’re not only making a positive impact on the environment but also on your health and wallet. Say goodbye to harsh chemicals and hello to a more sustainable laundry routine.
Building a Plastic-Free Future: Fomin's Commitment to Driving Sustainability
In an era where plastic pollution has become an alarming global issue, it is crucial to seek innovative solutions to reduce its devastating impact on our oceans and ecosystems. Annually, an astounding 8 million metric tons of plastic waste goes into our oceans, endangering marine life and the sensitive equilibrium of biodiversity on Earth. Fomin, a pioneer in sustainable initiatives, has driven the movement toward a plastic-free planet.
By purchasing Fomin's eco-friendly cleaning products, you actively participate in the battle against plastic pollution. Join our loyalty program to participate in building a sustainable future - one where plastic is not a threat but a relic of the past.
FAQs
What Can You Use To Substitute Laundry Detergent?
You can substitute laundry detergent with white vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, borax, shampoo/body wash, or soap nuts.