Laundry Soap & the Hidden Cost of Clean

A heartfelt reflection from Airmid’s Elixir

There’s something sacred about the scent of freshly washed clothes. It wraps around us like comfort, like home. It reminds us of mothers and grandmothers, of cozy beds and warm towels after long days. But have you ever stopped to wonder: What’s really in that comforting scent? What are we wrapping our skin—and our children’s skin—in every single day?

The truth is that many popular laundry detergents lining store shelves are filled with harsh chemicals, hidden toxins, and synthetic fragrances. We’re told they “Clean deep” and “smell like heaven,” but behind those bright bottles lies a darker truth.

• Skin-irritating sulfates

• Hormone-disrupting fragrances

• Carcinogenic preservatives

We’re not just washing our clothes—we’re washing them in substances that can harm our bodies and pollute our planet. And the worst part? We rarely question it, because it’s what we’ve always done.

For me, the wake-up call was personal. Every soap I used caused a reaction in one of my children. I couldn’t ignore it anymore. So, I started digging—and what I found shocked me.

What’s Really Inside Laundry Detergent?

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) / Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)Purpose: Create lather, remove dirt. Harm: Skin, eye, and lung irritation; often contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a possible carcinogen.

Fragrance (Parfum)Purpose: Add scent. Harm: Often synthetic and unregulated; can trigger allergies, asthma, and hormone disruption.

Optical Brighteners Purpose: Make clothes appear brighter. Harm: Skin irritation, non-biodegradable, toxic to aquatic life.

Phosphates Purpose: Soften water, boost cleaning power. Harm: Cause algae blooms that devastate aquatic ecosystems; banned in some places.

Formaldehyde + Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives Purpose: Preservative. Harm: Known carcinogen; causes skin and respiratory issues.

1,4-DioxanePurpose: Not added intentionally but created during manufacturing. Harm: Probable human carcinogen; toxic to organs with long-term exposure.

Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (“Quats”) Purpose: Fabric softeners. Harm: Linked to asthma, respiratory issues, and reproductive harm.

These chemicals are linked to:

• Skin irritations and allergic reactions

• Hormonal imbalances

• Respiratory problems

• Even increased cancer risk

And the impact doesn’t stop at our doorstep—these toxins end up in our waterways, harming wildlife and ecosystems long after our wash cycle ends.

But What If There’s a Better Way?

That’s why I started making my own laundry soap.

Because I believe our skin deserves better. Our children deserve better. And Mother Earth deserves so much more from us.

When I handcraft a batch of laundry soap, it isn’t just about getting things clean—it’s about love. Every ingredient is chosen with intention:

• Baking soda for gentle cleansing

• Castile soap for purity

• Essential oils for a breath of nature

No toxins. No greenwashing. Just what you need—and nothing more.

The Benefits of Homemade Laundry Soap

Fewer Chemicals = Fewer Risks Just a handful of clean ingredients like washing soda, baking soda, castile soap, and optional borax:

• No synthetic fragrances

• No dyes or optical brighteners

• No hormone disruptors or carcinogens. Gentle on skin, safe for babies, allergy friendly.

Earth-Friendly

• Biodegradable, non-toxic ingredients

• No phosphates or sulfates

• Minimal waste with reusable containers. A healthier home and planet.

Customizable

• Tailor scents with essential oils

• Adjust for sensitive skin

• Choose between powder, liquid, or pods. Your soap, your rules.

Budget-Friendly

• DIY soap costs pennies per load

• Long-lasting batches save time and money. Clean laundry, fuller wallet.

Empowering & Intentional

• Take control of what touches your body

• Ditch corporate greenwashing. Live closer to your values.

Once I switched my family to homemade laundry soap, everything changed. No more breakouts. Clothes felt cleaner. The scent wasn’t overpowering—it was honest. And the best part? Even my children make their own small batches with the scents they love. It became a ritual, a lesson, and a connection.

DIY Homemade Laundry Soap Recipe

Powdered Version

Ingredients:

• 1 bar of natural soap (castile, Fels-Naptha, or a homemade coconut oil-based soap)

• 1 cup washing soda (sodium carbonate)

• 1 cup borax (or baking soda for a gentler version)

• Optional: 10–20 drops essential oil (lavender, lemon, or tea tree for scent and antibacterial properties)

Instructions:

1. Grate the soap using a cheese grater or food processor.

2. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl until well combined.

3. Store in an airtight container.

4. Use 1–2 tablespoons per load, depending on the size and dirt level.

This recipe is safe for HE machines, as it produces little suds.

Liquid Version

Prefer a liquid soap? It’s just as simple and still natural.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup liquid castile soap

• ½ cup washing soda

• ½ cup borax

• Optional: ¼ cup baking soda (for extra deodorizing power)

• 4 cups hot water (to dissolve powders)

• Optional: 10–20 drops essential oil (lavender, mint, lemon, etc.)

• Optional: 1 tbsp natural salt or Epsom salt (fabric softener & mineral boost)

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl or pot, dissolve the borax and washing soda (and grated bar soap if using) in the hot water. Stir until completely dissolved.

2. Add your liquid castile soap (if using) and stir gently.

3. Add essential oils and salt, if using.

4. Pour into a 1-gallon jug or container and top off with additional water.

5. Shake before each use. Use ¼ to ½ cup per load.

Herbal Scent Blends to Try

1. Lavender & Chamomile – calming & soothing➤ 10 drops lavender + 10 drops chamomile

2. Rosemary & Lemon – antibacterial & fresh➤ 10 drops lemon + 5 drops rosemary

3. Sage & Mint – odor-eliminating & refreshing➤ 10 drops peppermint + 5 drops sage

4. Citrus & Thyme – deep-cleaning & antimicrobial➤ 10 drops sweet orange + 5 drops thyme

So I invite you to take that step.

Try making your own laundry soap or explore natural options. Feel the difference—not just in your clothes, but in your soul. Small changes ripple outward. And maybe, just maybe, this one shift can lead to a life lived more naturally, more intentionally, more beautifully.

Because clean should never be harmful. And love should always start with what touches your skin.

With warmth and herbal blessings,

Luna – from Airmid’s Elixir