The average family washes around 300-400 loads of laundry per year. If you have a large family, that number can jump even higher, costing you up to $500 or more.
Wouldn’t it be nice to save some money on all those laundry supplies you keep buying over and over again?
What if I told you that you could make DIY detergent that lasts (way) longer than the store-bought stuff and doesn’t come with all the skin-irritating chemicals? Or that there’s a way to never buy another dryer sheet again?
If you’re here on the Aroma Outfitters blog, you probably already know how we’re going to accomplish this goal. You guessed it—essential oils can make your laundry days easier and cheaper.
In this post, you’ll learn how to make your own gentle-yet-effective laundry soap for cheap. I’ll also explain just what in the heck a “dryer ball” is and how you can use them to never buy another chemical-laden dryer sheet again!
The Best DIY Essential Oil Laundry Soap Ever
There are three big reasons to start making your own laundry soap ASAP:
- It’s a ton cheaper.
- It’s all natural.
- You know exactly what’s in it.
As if healthiness wasn’t a good enough reason, the recipe we’ll discuss here is going to run you only a few cents per load.
You’re more than likely already familiar with most of the ingredients. Here they are:
- 1 bar unscented castile soap
- 1 cup baking soda
- 2 cups washing soda
- 30 drops of your favorite essential oil (some are better than others—discussed below)
I rave about castile soap on a fairly regular basis. This organic, environmentally friendly soap is made from plant oils. It’s gentle, making it a favorite among anyone with sensitive skin, but packs enough punch to be a surprisingly strong cleaner. Tracking down a bar of unscented castile soap shouldn’t be too difficult online or in most drug stores (Dr. Bronner’s is popular).
You probably know about baking soda, but just what the heck is washing soda? It’s actually very similar to baking soda. Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, and washing soda is sodium carbonate. The difference? Washing soda is a bit more coarse, making it perfect for washing your clothes—it’s a great stain-fighter too. You can find it just about anywhere you can find baking soda.
The only work involved in preparing this recipe is to grate the bar of castile soap—any cheese grater will do. Use the smaller blades to get a finer cut.
Take all of your ingredients and put them into an airtight glass container (mason jars work great). To mix things up, I just shake it vigorously for a couple minutes.
Now, the big question—what essential oils should you use?
This is largely a matter of preference, but I would definitely recommend minty, citrusy, and/or floral essential oils. I always prefer to use 15 drops of lavender essential oil and 15 drops of something else like lemon or peppermint. Lavender has wonderful cleaning properties and the lemon or peppermint give your clothing a delightfully crisp, clean aroma.
How to Use Dryer Balls (Over and Over Again)
It’s my hope that after you read this quick tip fabric softener will be a thing of the past in your household.
Did you know that the dryer sheets you find in the store contain compounds and chemicals like butane and acetone? These components, especially for sensitive people, can cause respiratory and skin irritation. Is it really worth the risk?
If you’re ready to save a ton of money on dryer sheets without giving up your soft, static-free clothes, then I’m proud to introduce you to the world of 100% wool dryer balls.
Wool dryer balls are pretty much exactly what they sound like—tough little balls made out of wool that you toss in the dryer with your wet clothes. And they work marvelously.
It’s completely understandable if you’re feeling a little incredulous at the claim that a few balls of wool can do the same thing as a dryer sheet. You really have to try them for yourself (they’re quite cheap) because once you do, you won’t go back to dryer sheets.
Here’s how they work: wool dryer balls separate your laundry while it tumbles in the dryer, absorbing static cling and preventing wrinkles. They also retain heat, which can actually speed up the drying process (and that means even more savings).
Now, if you prefer a fragrance-free experience, that’s completely fine, but my favorite part about dryer balls is that you can put 2-3 drops of your favorite aromatic essential oil onto the balls. Make sure to do it an hour or two before you do your laundry drying so that the oils can absorb fully into the wool. You’ll get that same fresh scent, minus the chemicals.
Will You Convert to Doing Your Laundry the All-Natural Way?
DIY-ing your way to a more gentle, all-natural is a real godsend for those of us with sensitive skin; even if you have an iron hide it still feels great to know you’re not covering your clothing in synthetics.
Do you plan on trying these recipes in your laundry room? Or do you already have some nifty laundry hacks you’d like to share? Let me know on Facebook or in the comments below!