In this day and age, it feels like most of us are making moves toward more natural, less-toxic, lifestyles. Granted we can’t avoid all the toxin’s in life we can…
In this day and age, it feels like most of us are making moves toward more natural, less-toxic, lifestyles. Granted we can’t avoid all the toxin’s in life we can take steps to get us closer. For me, taking this essential oil journey was a huge step. Slowly I have learned to use my tool bag (i.e. the starter kit) to help my family and myself make better choices. In the fall I opted for Young Living Shampoo and Conditioner followed closely with the Young Living Bar Soap. Step by step making reasonable changes to help my family live a better life. Next up was laundry, for the last 10 years, my family has use products such as Tide Pods, Gain, Oxy Clean, Snuggle and highly fragranced dryer sheets. During this period I have struggled with mild eczema and my husband and daughter with dry skin. It was time to make a change. Below I will take you through each step on how to make the switch.
If you have any questions, please let me know carolyn@handrafted.com.
This Thieves Laundry Detergent recipe is inexpensive (averages 6-8 cents per load!), smells great and is most importantly effective! Our clothes, sheets, towels and even shoes have proven how well this recipe works! And on top of all that it’s non-toxic!
A laundry detergent that I can feel confident using for myself and my family. A laundry detergent free of SLS, petrochemicals, formaldehyde, phosphates, synthetic fragrances and optical brighteners. What a blessing!
Before You Switch
As with most things the switch to a more natural, holistic lifestyle is a process. When it comes to making the laundry switch there is one main step that many don’t tell you, stripping machine of the chemical residue. When you use conventional soap, as we did for years there is a build-up of chemicals inside the holes of your washing machine. Essential Oils naturally dissolve these kinds of chemicals, because of this, if you do not strip your machine first that residue will transfer to your clothes. We had used conventional soap for 7 years in these machines and we bought them second hand!
To strip my machine I ran it empty, adding one cup of white vinegar and a tablespoon of Thieves Household Cleaner. I was attentive during the wash cycle as I was curious if the breakdown would be visible. Indeed it was, during the wash cycle the water was grey in color. After the machine finished I did this process again. This time around the water was appeared clear during the wash cycle. Feel free to do this process again if needed.
Once your machine is free of the chemical residue you are prepared to ditch and switch!
Thieves Laundry Detergent
The first step in my ditch and switch journey was to swap out my laundry soap pods for a liquid laundry detergent. I used the below-listed recipe and made a 2-gallon batch. I expect this batch to last my family of three for many months.
Ingredients
- Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
- Baking Soda
- Thieves Laundry Detergent
- Thieves Household Cleaner
- Distilled/Filtered Water
- 8 Drops of Essential Oils (your choice) ORDER HERE
- Glass Drink Dispenser (similar here and here)
Begin by heating the distilled water in a stock pot on the stove. Add the Super Washing Soda and Baking Soda and allow to dissolve completely, mixing with a wooden spoon.
Once dissolved, remove from heat and allow to cool. **Adding hot water to drink dispenser may crack the glass or break the seal on the spout, use caution**.
While water is cooling add the Thieves Laundry Soap and Thieves Household Cleaner to the bottom of your dispenser.
Next, add 8 drops of your favorite essential oils. For this batch, I chose 4 drops of Citrus Fresh and 4 drops of Stress Away.
Finally, add cooled water to the dispenser. Be sure to fill the dispenser in its final location, the dispenser will be very heavy once full. Stir the mixture up completely and add the lid.
For use in my conventional machine, I use 1/2 cup per load in addition to my homemade Fabric Softener.
DIY Essential Oil Fabric Softener
Ingredients
- White Vinegar
- Rubbing Alcohol
- 10-15 Drops of Essential Oils (your choice) ORDER HERE
Mix together White Vinegar, Rubbing Alcohol and Essential Oils in a jar. For this batch, I chose 8 drops Citrus Fresh and 5 drops Purification.
Shake the jar and add to the laundry as needed.
For my conventional washer, I use 1/4 cup per load. Next for those hard to get stains I use this DIY Stain Treatment – works every time!
Thieves Essential Oil Stain Treatment
Ingredients
Begin by adding the Thieves Laundry Soap and Thieves Household Cleaner to the spray bottle or 30ml roller bottle. (I got this cute bottle at the Target Dollar Spot! I then added a spray top from my collection). Add your Lemon Essential Oil (Lemon is required in this recipe!). Finally, fill the rest of the bottle up with essential oil and mix well.
Wool Dryer Balls
The final step in the laundry room ditch and switch it to purchase and use organic wool dryer balls. I purchase these ones. Wool dryer balls replace traditional dryer sheets in reducing static, and fluffing fabrics. In addition to these benefits, dryer balls have also shown to reduce drying time! I chose to store my balls in a large glass jar I found at Ross. In the bottom of that jar is where I keep all my empty (opened) essential oil bottles, this uses the remaining oils in the bottles and keeps our laundry smelling fresh.
Dryer Ball Hacks
- Add one drop of essential oil directly to each ball of added natural fragrance.
- Having issues with static? – attach a safety pin or two to the balls
If you have any questions about the Young Living products used in this blog, please email me carolyn@handrafted.com
Thank you so much for reading, until next time!
xo,
C
Thieves Liquid Laundry Detergent
A nontoxic formula, free of SLS, petrochemicals, formaldehyde, phosphates, synthetic fragrances and optical brighteners.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Servings 1 gallon
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
- 1/4 cup Baking Soda
- 1/4 cup Thieves Laundry Soap
- 2 tbsp Thieves Household Cleaner
- 1 gallon Hot Distilled/Filtered Water (not boiling)
- 8 drops Essential Oils (your choice)
Instructions
-
Heat water in a large stockpot.
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Add Super Washing Soda and Baking Soda to the hot water. Stir with a wooden spoon until powder is fully dissolved.
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Remove liquid from the heat and allow to cool.
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In large drink dispenser, add Thieves Laundry Soap, Thieves Household Cleaner and Essential Oils.
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Then add water to the dispenser. Stir mixture together until evenly distributed.
Recipe Notes
For conventional machines use 1/2 cup detergent per load.
DIY Essential Oil Fabric Softener
All natural fabric softener.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Rubbing Alcohol (or vodka)
- 10-15 drops Essential Oil (your choice)
- fill White Vinegar
Instructions
-
Mix all ingredients in a jar and store in a cool dark place.
Recipe Notes
For a conventional machine use 1/4 cup per load.
Thieves Stain Treatment
Pre-treat those hard to get stains with this homemade, nontoxic, stain treatment.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Thieves Laundry Detergent
- 2 tbsp Thieves Household Cleaner
- 10 drops Lemon Essential Oil
- fill Distilled/Filtered Water
Instructions
-
Add ingredients to spray bottle or 30 ml roller bottle.
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Mix well by shaking or rolling the bottle.
Recipe Notes
Apply directly to the stain before washing. For set in or tough stains allow treatment to set on the stain before washing.
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a small commission.
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