Homemade Cloth Diaper Laundry Detergent

Homemade laundry detergent is fast becoming the new trend in homemaking. Not only is it frugal and effective, but many are finding it to be far more simple than first thought. Along with the growing trend of homemade laundry detergent, many are turning to cloth diapers to be more eco-friendly while saving hundreds of dollars.

The problem is that most homemade laundry detergent recipes are not cloth diaper-friendly. Many, including my favorite, contain Borax and washing soda. Borax is very abrasive and can build up on diapers causing irritation and rashes, particularly to sensitive skin. Washing soda has been known to break down the elasticity of several brands of diapers, leading to poor fit and leaks.

So how do you reap the benefits of homemade detergent while still keeping your diapers gentle and functional?

Try this super easy recipe that is safe on diapers and can be used in any washing machine (as requested via email by Reka!):

• 1 bar dye-free, scent-free soap (I recommend Ivory or Fels-Naptha)
• 2 c. baking soda (NOT washing soda)

Using a fine cheese grater, shave the bar of soap into a bowl. Add the baking soda and stir thoroughly making a fine powder. Store in an air-tight container. Use a rounded 1/2 teaspoon per small load of diapers (possibly less in high efficiency machines). This makes enough for approximately 250 small loads of diapers.

A few notes:

• Be sure to add the powder to the washing machine before adding the diapers, allowing it to dissolve. (For most cloth diaper brands, I recommend using hot water.) This will help lessen build-up on the diapers.
• The bar soap cleans the diapers while the baking soda freshens and helps remove odors. If you would like to whiten the diapers or freshen them further, I recommend line drying them outside in the sun whenever possible. The sun has a natural bleaching effect while the fresh air helps diminish any built up odors.
• This recipe works great for 100% cotton and organic diapers. It may cause residue on some synthetic materials. Consult the manufacturer on how to remove any built up residue.

For more great homemaking tips, check out: Homestead Revival, Don't Waste Your Homemaking, Far Above Rubies, Growing Home, Learning the Frugal Life, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Time Warp Wife, 5 Minutes for Mom, Butter Believer, Everything Under the Moon, 11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven, Home Savvy A to Z, DIY Home Sweet Home, Frugally Sustainable and Skip to my Lou.