DIY Natural Laundry Detergents For Sensitive Skin

If your skin is sensitive to the ingredients in store-bought laundry products, it may be time to try a more natural option. This homemade hypoallergenic laundry detergent recipe is free of bar soap, borax, and perfumes – the most common culprits for itchy, allergic reactions in people with sensitive skin.

1. Sodium Bicarbonate

In the world of skincare, where shelves are lined with complex formulations promising youthful, radiant skin, sometimes the simplest solutions are the most effective. Sodium bicarbonate, commonly known as baking soda, is one of these humble ingredients that is making waves for its multifaceted effects on skin health, including exfoliation, pH balance, and reducing inflammation.

Sodium bicarbonate is a white, crystalline powder that most people know as the ingredient in their favorite baked goods. But it also has a variety of other uses, including as a household cleaner, medical treatment, and fire-extinguishing agent.

For sensitive skin, it can act as an exfoliant by gently dissolving the proteins that hold dead skin cells together. This allows the skin to shed these cells easily and more effectively, revealing fresher, brighter-looking skin.

It also helps balance the skin’s acidity, which can become disrupted by harsh cleansers and over-cleansing. This is especially beneficial for those with acne-prone skin, as the pH imbalance can contribute to clogged pores and the growth of bacteria like C. acnes. Sodium bicarbonate can help bring the skin back to a healthy pH level, which helps reduce inflammation and improve elasticity.

Another benefit of incorporating baking soda into your skincare routine is its ability to absorb excess oil. If you struggle with oily hair or scalp, try massaging a mixture of equal parts water and baking soda into your head while showering. This can help remove the buildup of product, grease, and oil that can lead to a greasy scalp and heavy hair.

Finally, it can be used as an odor-reducing ingredient in the home, particularly in the kitchen, where it can help deodorize food and drinks. Many people use it to clean their refrigerators, as well as other areas that might have unpleasant odors. Sodium bicarbonate can also be sprinkled on shoes and other fabrics to absorb smells.

Before you start using sodium bicarbonate as a natural laundry detergent for your sensitive skin, it’s important to do a patch test. To do this, apply a small amount of the detergent to a patch of your skin and wait 24 hours. If you don’t experience any irritation or redness, you can proceed to use the laundry detergent as normal.

2. Borax

Borax is a natural laundry booster that can be found in your local grocery store. It’s used to brighten whites and remove dingy graying from fabrics over time. It also works as a deodorizer by changing the pH level of the water. When combined with a bit of vinegar, it can eliminate most odors. Borax is safe for all fabrics and can be used in place of chlorine bleach.

It can also be found in dry lake beds and areas such as California’s Death Valley where water has evaporated over time and left deposits of the mineral. It’s an essential ingredient in the popular putty or slime that kids love to play with and is often used to clean glass windows. It’s a cousin to boric acid, the chemical used in some ant and roach killers.

In the earliest days of the 20th century, families across America relied on borax to make their own homemade laundry detergents. Known as “20 Mule Team,” it was a household staple for many.

This mineral is a crystalline powder that has no odor and dissolves in water. It is a common cleaning agent, used in the manufacturing of glass and ceramics as well as for its water-softening properties. It is a natural source of the essential nutrient boron, which helps plant growth. It was once commonly used as a preservative to prevent food spoilage during World War I, and it is still used in some countries today.

Borax is safe for all fabrics and can help make your laundry clean, fresh, and soft. It’s a great alternative to commercial laundry products that contain synthetic detergents, dyes, and fragrances. For best results, add 1/2 cup of borax to your wash along with your regular detergent. For heavily soiled items, you can pre-soak them in borax for 30 minutes before washing as usual.

You can find borax in the laundry aisle of your grocery store and can purchase it online as well. Always follow the label instructions and safety precautions on the product you buy. Before adding borax to your laundry, test it on a small area of a fabric to ensure that it doesn’t cause damage or discoloration.

3. Essential Oils

Many people with sensitive skin are allergic to the dyes and fragrances in commercial laundry detergent. Even the “free and clear” products found on grocery store shelves can cause itching and irritation in some people.

The good news is that it’s easy to make your own natural laundry detergent without all the added dyes and perfumes. Just combine a few simple, frugal ingredients and add your choice of essential oils. The best choices for washing clothes with sensitive skin include lavender for its anti-inflammatory properties, neroli and patchouli for their ability to soften dry skin, and ylang ylang for its balancing effect on both the body and emotions.

Avoid essential oils that are known to be photosensitive, such as citrus oils. Bergamot, grapefruit, lemon or lime can all increase your sensitivity to sunlight. Instead, choose oils that are safe for the skin, such as frankincense, sandalwood or ylang ylang. The addition of these oils will also help to brighten your clothes and create a pleasant scent.

4. Water

Having itchy skin can be frustrating, especially when you’ve switched to hypoallergenic laundry products that are supposed to be free of dyes and perfumes. But, if your itchy legs and arms are still irritated, you may need to take a closer look at the ingredients in your laundry detergent itself. Making a DIY natural laundry detergent can be easy, affordable, and safer for sensitive skin than using commercial products. It’s also better for the environment and your wallet.