Run out of detergent? How to do your laundry using everyday items at home
Laundry detergents contain numerous active substances, specifically enzymes, that enhance the whiteness of clothes and help in removing even the toughest stains (like grease, chocolate, or wine stains). Moreover, laundry detergents also contain baking soda and soap. So, if you have baking soda or bar soap at home, you are well-equipped to do your laundry.
Using baking soda as a laundry detergent
Baking soda not only whitens and softens fabrics but also neutralizes unpleasant odors and is antibacterial. If you have regular baking soda at home, just add it to the detergent compartments. Adjust the quantity of baking soda according to your laundry load. If the drum is filled, you should use at least 3.5 ounces of baking soda.
If you have calcined soda at home, don't hesitate to use it. It's a key ingredient in environment-friendly laundry detergents and is hypoallergenic, making it suitable for sensitive skin, including infants. This works well when combined with grey soap or Marseille soap flakes in a 3:1 ratio (three parts soda to one part soap flakes). This combination is effective and should handle even tough stains like those of wine.
Soap flakes
If you have grey soap, Marseille soap, or laurel soap at home, it is perfect for your laundry. Grate the soap finely and add the flakes to the detergent compartments. Adjust the amount of soap relative to your laundry load and stain types. The heavier the stains, the more soap you should use.
Using vinegar as a laundry cleanse
If there's no soap or baking soda at home, vinegar, like distilled vinegar, can serve as a cleanser. Three tablespoons of vinegar, diluted with water, should thoroughly clean the fabrics. Don't worry about the smell - there won't be a trace of it after washing. Add a few drops of essential oil to the vinegar to freshen up the scent.
Mouthwash as a stain remover
It may seem unusual, but mouthwash can do wonders in the washing machine. It gently whitens fabrics and removes stains. As a bonus, it leaves your laundry smelling beautiful without fabric softener. For small stains, pour 2.7 fluid ounces of the liquid into the detergent compartments. If the laundry is heavily stained, you should double this amount.
