Home improvements: how to make your own laundry powder

As a rule, store-bought laundry powder is heaped with unpleasant chemicals. So why not make your own? Here's how.

As a rule, store-bought laundry powder is heaped with unpleasant chemicals. So why not make your own?

You will need two bars of soap, preferably coconut-­based; five cups of washing soda, which is also commonly known as soda ash and shouldn’t be confused with baking soda; an essential oil of your choice – lemon, tea tree and peppermint are favourite options; some white vinegar; and some peroxide. Some homemade washing powder formulas include ­borax, but we prefer to also leave it out.

Grate your bars of soap and place in a food processor. Add your washing soda and blend thoroughly. Washing soda is caustic, so wear gloves when handling it. Stir in 10 or 20 drops of essential oil, then pour the mixture into an airtight container.

When it comes to putting on a wash, place three tablespoons of this mixture into your machine. If you’re washing whites, you can include half a cup of peroxide in your bleach compartment. You can also add a cup of white vinegar to your rinse cycle, which will act as a softener.