Have you ever washed a garment and still felt it didn’t quite feel fresh? Or does that favourite sweater start itching after just a few minutes against your skin? Many common laundry detergents are full of substances that create a feeling of “freshly washed” – without actually making the laundry cleaner. Synthetic fragrances, optical brighteners and bleach are common culprits.
The good news is that you can get your laundry truly clean, fresh, and gentle with just a few natural ingredients – without burdening either your skin or the environment.
Why more people choose to wash naturally
Laundry is about more than just removing dirt. It’s also about taking care of your skin, preserving the life of your clothes, and protecting the water that flows down the drain.
Here are some reasons why many choose a more natural approach:
Gentler on the skin – perfect for children and sensitive skin
No perfume that “sticks” to the fabric
Kinder to materials like wool, linen and bamboo
Fewer chemicals that impact the environment
Easy to adapt to your household’s needs
What you need to get started
Soap flakes – mild but effective cleaning
Baking soda – neutralises unpleasant odours
Sodium percarbonate – gently whitens and removes odour molecules
Vinegar – works as a natural fabric softener and descaler for your machine
Essential oils – for a mild, natural scent (e.g. lavender, lemongrass or eucalyptus)
You don’t need everything at once – start with what feels most useful for you.
Laundry recipes for different needs
Everyday clothes & bed linen
Suitable for cotton, linen, synthetics and blends.
1 tbsp soap flakes
1 tbsp baking soda
Wash at 40–60°C. For a mild scent: add 1 tbsp vinegar and 3 drops of lavender oil to the fabric softener compartment.
Light-coloured fabrics & stains
Perfect when you want to freshen up the colour or remove odours.
1 tbsp soap flakes
1 tbsp sodium percarbonate
Wash preferably at 60°C.
Sportswear & other smelly laundry
Some odours can be especially stubborn, but they’re not impossible to remove.
1 tbsp soap flakes
1 tbsp baking soda
1 tbsp vinegar in the fabric softener compartment
Optionally add a few drops of lemongrass or lavender oil.
Baby clothes & sensitive skin
Extra gentle for little bodies and skin that easily becomes irritated.
1 tbsp soap flakes
Wash at 40°C. Vinegar as a fabric softener is optional.
Tips for a sustainable laundry routine
Leave the washing machine door open after use
Clean the detergent drawer with vinegar and an old toothbrush once a month
Dry laundry outdoors when the weather allows – sun and wind work wonders
Use laundry bags for delicate items
Start with a smaller dose than you think – natural products are often more concentrated than expected
Once you’ve started…
Once you switch to natural laundry, it’s hard to go back. Your clothes feel softer against your skin, the scent is mild and clean, and you avoid that artificial cloud of perfume. It simply becomes a way to care for your body, your wardrobe, and the planet – all at the same time.
