We have been making our own washing powder for a while now and have played around with this recipe a few times. We have added the Epsom salts, which we love because it softens the water and from our research, it acts as a type of fabric softener. You could however, leave it out as it doesn’t make your clothes any cleaner.
FAQ: Why no borax?
A: This is really a personal choice, but from our investigations, we have chosen not to use it. It can be a naturally occurring substance, but although natural, it doesn’t always mean it’s safe. We wouldn’t like to be breathing this in from the dust it will create in your Thermo machine.
NOTE – DO NOT DOUBLE THIS RECIPE, YOUR MACHINE WON’T LIKE IT
Related product: doTERRA Essential Oils
- 5m
- 1
Ingredients
- 500 g pure & natural powdered coconut soap
- 200 g epsom salt
- 500 g washing soda
- 500 g bicarb soda
- essential oils of choice
Instructions
- Use no more than a 1/4 cup per load.
- Use no more than a 1/4 cup per load.
Thermal Method
- Chop your soap with a knife into large chunks then add to mixing jug and blitz for 20 seconds/speed 9. Scrape and repeat (you want it super fine so it will break down in cold water).
- Add epsom salts, washing soda and bicarb and blitz again for 30 seconds/speed 4.
- Turn your machine onto speed 2 and while this is mixing, drip the oil in through the hole in your lid.
- Now give it a good mix on speed 7 for approx. 3 seconds.
- Store in an airtight container. If you find it goes a bit hard due to moisture, just blitz in your machine again for 3-5 seconds/speed 7.
Traditional Method
- Chop your soap with a knife into large chunks then put into high-speed blender jug and blitz for 20 seconds/high speed. Scrape and repeat (you want it super fine so it will break down in cold water).
- Add Epsom salts, washing soda and bicarb and blitz again for 30 seconds/medium speed.
- Turn your machine onto low speed and while this is mixing, drip the oil in through the hole in your lid.
- Now give it a good mix for approx. 3 seconds/high speed.
- Store in an airtight container. If you find it goes a bit hard due to moisture, just blitz in your blender again for 3-5 seconds/high speed.
LOVE this recipe. It’s a cheap toxin free washing powder. I sneeze just having to walk down the washing powder aisle (has my dish clothes in it). I’m so glad to be able to make a washing powder that’s great for sensitive skin without paying a fortune for it.
Have just made another batch. I love this washing powder, Simple to make in thermi and soooo cheap.
Thanks for the review and so happy you are loving this :)
Is any soap okay to use or do you need a particular soap bar?
The recipe calls for velvet soap but any pure, unscented soap should be fine.
Just made this washing powder – do you only need 1/4 cup per load. Thanks for the recipe. I would never have known.
Hi Jo, yes, about 1/4 of a cup is fine :)
I’ve been making this washing powder since purchasing my Thermomix almost 12 months ago, but have just realised Velvet Soap is made with palm oil ?
Now I’m on the hunt for an alternative. Any suggestions?
Hi Cara
Thanks for your comment. Tricky one! We are also against Palm Oil and the processes in gaining the oil and the destruction it is causing the forests. If the palm oil is sourced through a correctly authorised plantation it might be ok. You might just need to do a little research to who and where though. As far as an alternative, any natural soap would be fine but you may need to shop around and find one that you are happy to use that has no palm oil or fragrances.
We have a couple of liquid-based options available on our website.
Hi, is this ok for babies, my 5 month old has a little rash and we think it might be laundry related, kinda ticking off boxes too. What essential oils would u add for delicate skin? Would orange be ok?
This is a gentle recipe. Lavender would be a great addition as it is very mild and gentle.
Hi. What are the best essential oils to use and how much do I use?
Thanks
Rebecca
Hi Rebecca
Totally up to you and what you best like. I personally like Litsea.
Shane
Is this recipe ok for front load washing machines?
yes it sure is :)
How many drops of essential oils ?
As many as you wish to use to get the smell right and this depends on the oils as well. I prefer to use the cheaper oils like lemon or lavender, and around 20-30 drops of each, but others only use 10 drops. Each a personal choice :) Tracey
Can you use sunlight soap?
If we can we use the Dr Bronners soap. Jo
Where do you buy the coconut soap from? I have tried quite a few stores with no success ?
Hi Lauren,
Depends on where you live but, most health shops and wellbeing shops will have coconut soap. Otherwise online at https://ecowarehouse.com.au or https://www.theaustraliannaturalsoapcompany.com.au
Regards
Shane
Instead of the hard soap, can this still work with liquid soap?
As long as it’s a natural liquid soap.
Would you use half the amount of powder for a front loader or stick with quarter cup. Love the recipe by the way
Each machine is different. Try using 1/4 cup and if you don’t need that much, then use less next time.
HI, Im just wondering how loads approx this would do? Also is there a non thermo way of making this soap eg. in a blender?
Cheers Jacinta
It probably does around 50-60 loads :)
Where do you buy washing sofa???
Just the supermarket :)
Is the water/ fabric softener ok for sports gear and dry fit gear that depict no to use a fabric softener or should I omit the epsom salt? The is for sharing I’m looking forward to trying this!
We wash gym gear with this, with no issue.
Has anyone made this using the Australian natural soap company, all natural soap flakes?
As I was running out of Laundry powder during this pandemic, it was difficult to find any in the supermarkets (Thankfully panic buying has stopped a couple weeks ago), we already had some of these ingredients at home and this was easy to make, great for sensitive skin!! Thank you so much for this recipe would recommend this to anyone who would like to try this out. I hope use are all well and stay safe :)
So glad you could whip it up :)
stay well,
Jo x
Love your work ladies :)
Do you have a recipe for washing liquid ?
We just use the doTERRA laundry liquid which we cash in our loyalty rewards points to purchase so it doesn’t cost us anything :)
Hi all,
I recently made this and every time I use it and even open the container the whole house is filled with a fine dusty and everybody starts coughing and we have to go outside. What have I done wrong? Help!
Absolutely love the washing powder recipe. I did a double recipe and used lemon and purify oils and the awesome thing about it was I pretty much already had all the ingredients in my house – just had to go and buy the washing soda, so easy and effective too.
I haven’t a thermo mix, what other appliance can you use?
A high-speed blender would be fine also :)
Hi guys! I have searched for coconut soap to no avail, tried both the links Shane posted in the comments also. What other alternative can I use? Or is there another name it goes by? Thanks Belinda
You can use the castile soap bars instead which you can get from health food stores.
Hi there!
I have made this and used it a few times but it doesnt disolve. It wont move from the container in my washing machine into the machine? What can I do?
Hi Emma, It does seem to work better in hot water. Could you use a little less and see if that helps? Or you could add it to the drum. Rhiannon :)