Back in 2008 when I started blogging, I decided I was going to be super frugal and make my own laundry detergent.
I was so excited about the way my detergent looked and smelled, and I gave it a really, really good try.
Sadly, after using it for a while, my clothes started to smell funky, like they hadn’t been washed at all.
In fact, they came out smelling like they’d sat in the bottom of the hamper for a week.
I switched back to regular detergent and ta-da!
No more Eau De Hamper.
I’ve been using mainstream detergent ever since, but when I signed up with ePantry, I thought, “Ooh, maybe some of these natural detergents will do the trick!”
I bought Mrs. Meyers’ laundry soap first, and though I didn’t have smell issues, it did have a little trouble removing grease spots, and it came in a super annoying, messy container.
(There is seriously no way to use this container without it becoming a sticky, soapy mess.)
So then I bought a container of 7th Generation laundry detergent, which comes in a super cool, compostable container.
Unfortunately, that dreaded hamper smell started to return.
Sigh.
So, this is currently what I’m using, and my clothes are smelling clean again.
(Interestingly enough, the clear plastic lid on that container says P&G. Which makes me pretty sure that Costco’s private label detergent is actually Tide.)
I know other people use natural detergents and they’re not walking around smelling like they live in a hamper, so I’m not sure what’s going wrong for me.
Maybe it’s something about the makeup of my water?
I dunno.
But I think I just am going to give up and make peace with the fact that mainstream detergent and I are going to be lifelong friends.
Chris
Monday 16th of October 2023
Nellies! Love this stuff, clothes come out clean. I've just tried dyi dry recipe, too early to tell but comments here concerning. I just did it to save all those huge plastic containers they're insane and wanted to stop. I don't think they're recycled them all but thaya another convo. But nellies, I can add, we love.
Stefanie Alberto
Wednesday 1st of July 2020
Not just you. I found that I had to use much more diy detergent than stated in the recipe to get my clothes clean. Do you know that point in the recipe, after you melt the soap and mix in the Borax and Washing Soda, where you are supposed to dilute it in 2 gallons of water? Skip the diluting part. Just use the detergent in the concentrated form. And use a full cup for a large top-load wash.
When I started doing this my clothes came out smelling fresh. It completely killed the sweat smell, better than Tide even.
However the problem became that I put in all that work for a detergent that only lasted for about 4 loads. So I'm not sure about cost savings over store bought detergent. Also, I hear soap-based detergents wreck the machine.
Tried Mrs. Meyers and ALL Free&Clear. Neither worked very well.
We use Persil now. We use Borax as a laundry booster in our dirtiest loads (underwear, t-shirts, bedding and towels). We are also a fan of soaking in Oxiclean overnight for stubborn protein based stains.
Iris
Sunday 13th of October 2019
I thought it was just me. Clean, washed clothes in my closet smelling rancid. I tried using white vinegar in the “fabric softener” to scrub any natural laundry detergent residue out. It didn’t work either. This has been going on for years. So I finally searched the internet and here I am. Think I’ll go back to commercial detergent. Hopefully I can find some that doesn’t 1) pollute the environment, 2) doesn’t reek of perfume, 3) doesn’t use nano-technology.
Dorian
Monday 26th of November 2018
I know this is an old post but this is exactly how I’m feeling. After using more “green” laundry detergents like Charlie’s Soap, Nellie’s, My Green Fills, Seventh Generation and having stains not come out and clothes that smell somewhat clean coming out of the dryer but like a dirty hamper when pulling g out of closet to wear, I have thrown in the towel. I feel like you need chemicals to get things clean. I don’t use too much of anything but natural things don’t work for me. What her it’s shampoo, soap, lotion, bathroom cleaner; nothing cleans a bathroom better than bleach and nothing makes my hair softer than Pantene Pro V. I’ve gone back to Tide and Downy and our clothes smell and look amazing again. Finally!!
liz
Wednesday 24th of January 2018
I know this article is older, but, DIY laundry detergent is still a popular subject. I've been trying to switch over to non toxic laundry detergents and feel like I've been going in circles. At first I was all gung ho about trying to make my own, until I read about the detergent residue from soap based detergents. And that's not the worst of it. I talked to a number of people who told me about the soap residue in the machine. Not just in the tub, but caked to all the parts in the machine. Someone who bought a used washer from someone who used DIY detergent for a year, said they repair and maintain their own appliances and they took the washer apart and to their surprise they scraped off 3 pounds of soap scum from the washer parts.
So I'm not going to use a soap based recipe. The problem then, is that there is the EWG.org group that grades laundry detergent and how toxic it is and all of the least toxic detergents are soap based. So I'm struggling to find just ONE detergent that works and doesn't leave residue behind and is non toxic. Why is that so hard?
If anyone finds the magic answer before I do...please leave me the answer. :-)