There are lots and lots of laundry detergent brands in the market today. And while some are great, others neither get the job done nor are good for your fabric, the environment, and your family.
The reason why we use laundry detergents is to get rid of all the dirt and grime that we get into contact with. If the detergent is doing a good job at removing the dirt, that’s great.
However, the modern-day consumer like yourself is conscious about safety for the environment and your fabrics too. You therefore want to use detergents that love your clothes back.
You want to wear your clothes knowing that no rash will pop up on your skin just because of a harsh laundry detergent you used.
You also want to be sure that the colors of your clothes will not fade because of using a particular detergent.
But most importantly you don’t want your family to be suffering allergies caused by a harmful ingredient in your detergent of choice. See, there are so many reasons why you need to find a laundry detergent substitute.
Sometimes, you just run out of your favorite laundry detergent and you just need a quick home-made solution to continue with your laundry before you go buy your regular detergent.
Whatever the reason for seeking a substitute for laundry detergent, you’ll find help here.
3 Best substitutes for laundry detergent
Though you might be used to using the regular detergents, there are a lot more options that might help you cut the toxic chemicals in most regular detergents and softeners.
These substitutes will also save you a lot of money.
Here we go;
Vinegar
If you ever wish to use a fabric softener that won’t spoil your fabric, infiltrate your nose with strong scents, and kill your entire household with allergies, then vinegar is here for you.
And you know something, you can use any type of vinegar, be it white vinegar, distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
It therefore means that, most times, you’ll just be picking your vinegar from the pantry and using it in your washing machine for your laundry needs.
Vinegar is hypoallergenic, which makes it gentle on your hands when washing and on your skin in general.
The problem that most people with sensitive skin go through is the frequency of developing rashes from using the irritating detergents. Vinegar will give you the best results without harming you.
Vinegar cleans your clothes by loosening aluminum chloride and zinc salts, hence dirt will not have the stubborn grip on your fabrics.
Besides, vinegar is also rich in antibacterial properties and will help you curb the growth of mildew and bacteria that love to grow on moist towels.
Though vinegar has a scent, your clothes will not retain that scent. So when you wear them, you won’t choke on some funny-smelling perfume.
Unlike bluing agents that is common in most detergents, vinegar doesn’t leave stains on your clothes.
Your clothes will retain their sparkle, without going through the torture of fabric degrading bleaches. Vinegar is also good at neutralizing bad scents.
So if your pets leave a bad smell on your laundry, or you just happen to have a body odor, using vinegar will clear the stank leaving your clothes with a fresh scent. However, vinegar is acidic, and you shouldn’t just use it without diluting it.
If you have a detergent compartment in your washing machine, just put ½ of vinegar, and don’t use any other detergent.
On the other hand, if you don’t have a detergent compartment in your washing machine, just mix a ½ a cup of vinegar with a full cup of water before your pour it into your clothes.
That is the only precaution you need to take when using vinegar as a substitute for your regular laundry.
And just in case you didn’t know, vinegar is most likely cheaper than your regular detergent.
Therefore, it saves you money, helps keep your environment safe, and protects you from unwanted skin rashes that you normally get when you use a harsh detergent.
Baking Soda
Have you ever wanted to clean your towel or clean your pillows, but realized that you’re out of the regular detergent?
Well, simply use baking soda. Baking soda is a very powerful alternative to regular laundry detergent as it gets deep into the fabrics to flush the dirt, grime, and waxy stains out.
Though we all know the wonders of baking soda in personal care like cleaning your teeth, its application into laundry will surprise you with sparkling results.
If you want to get rid of tough stains that have been troubling you on your favorite dress, simply soak it in warm water and sprinkle half a cup of baking soda. Then, wash as you do normally, with the exception of adding another detergent. You’ll be pleased!
Baking soda also has mild antiseptic properties, which will dwarf the growth of bacteria on your clothes. Also, if you have old linens that you’d like to brighten, baking soda will come handy.
It is a soft cleaner, so you can trust it with the soft fabrics of your aging linens. Though you might want to use baking soda as an emergency quick fix, it can be used as a routine for when you want your clothes extremely clean!
Bar soap
Bar soaps might be your least favorite of the laundry detergent alternatives, but they do a good job!
To begin with, bar soaps are made from less aggressive ingredients than most laundry detergents. They are gentle on your skin and on the fabrics of your clothes.
Besides, bar soaps are not rich in bleaching agents, and so your clothes will retain their color; no fading, no greying!
Bar soaps also do not have strong scents, your clothes will not end up with weird scents common in most softeners and detergents.
If cost is a factor, bar soaps will save you a lot of money as they are way cheaper than regular laundry detergents.
Well, you might be used to using your regular detergent, but for just one moment when you can’t find it, these three alternatives will serve you just right.
