Herbs flavor food. Herbs heal the body. Herbs decorate our homes and lawns. Herbs also keep us clean and smelling good.

Have you thought of how herbs can be used in your own laundry? They can be used to clean our clothes, soften them, and make them fresh. The secret are essential herbal oils.

Herbs that are infused into essential oils are potent. Adding them to your laundry supplies gives your clothes a fragrance that will make you smile with delight.

Here are a few things you can do with herbs to give your laundry new life.


Dry Laundry Soap

1 cup castile soap, grated
½ -1/3 cup washing soda
½ borax
1 tablespoon essential herbal oil – use lavender, eucalyptus, lemon verbena, or rose.
Use 2-3 tablespoons per load.


Liquid Laundry Soap

1 cup castile soap, liquid
1 cup washing soda
1 cup borax
1 tablespoon essential herbal oil – use lavender, eucalyptus, lemon verbena, or rose.
Add 3 ½ gallons of hot water.
Use ½ cup per load.


Fabric Softener

2 cups vinegar
3 tablespoons essential herbal oil – use lavender, eucalyptus, lemon verbena, or rose.
Use ¼ cup per load.


Ingredients

Castile soap is one of the purest types of soap around. It is not made from animal fats but from vegetable oils, olive oils, and coconut oils to name a few. It can be found in almost every store and used as standard soap, shampoo, and, as seen above, in laundry soap.

Washing soda is the actual cleansing part of your laundry soap. Commonly known as soap ash, it has been used for years to remove stains from around the house. This is a chemical compound that can be found in many stores. If you cannot find it, just ask.

Borax is a natural chemical compound that mankind has used down through history. It is good at cleaning many things. Due to its composition borax can cause severe skin reactions and should never be ingested.

Vinegar might have the most uses around the home. Use it to clean, freshen, and brighten your house. The vinegar used here is the very same vinegar that you can find on the shelves at your local grocery store. Never underestimate the power of vinegar.

Essential oils are what give your laundry supplies the fragrance that draws you in for more. You can find them online and at local herbal stores. You can even make your own.

Containers can be plastic jars or old fashioned glass jars. The glass jars are attractive. Give them away as gifts with ribbons tied around the cap.



Try making your own laundry supplies and enjoy the fruits of your labor. You will enjoy every moment of folding laundry and wearing your newly washed clothes.