Emergency Laundry Detergent Alternatives

Reviewed by Rhea MehtaFact checked by Jillian Dara

In the hustle and bustle of life, sometimes you run out of laundry detergent. But that's when it helps to know what to use as a safe substitute laundry detergent that will get the job done until you make it to the store. You can hand-wash a few critical items using a multitude of products that are safe for the sink. But if your hamper is overflowing, you have to be more careful with your choice of an alternative laundry detergent. The following tips and tricks help you decide what you can use for a full load of laundry and what to avoid using at all costs in your washing machine.

Rinse out the Bottle or Box

Fill your "empty" liquid laundry detergent bottle or box of powdered detergent with warm water; give it a good shake, and empty the liquid into the washer drum. You'll get enough product to do an average-sized load of essentials.

Tip

Most of us use too much detergent anyway: a high-efficiency washer only needs two teaspoons of high-efficiency detergent. The cleaning action of the water and washer agitation will remove a great deal of soil especially if you pretreat stains. Be sure to follow the washing guidelines on the garment's care label and use the correct water temperature for the fabrics.

Use Laundry Borax or Baking Soda

To enhance your last bit of detergent, add one-half cup of borax or baking soda. These products work as a detergent booster and will help get your clothes clean. Place the dry product directly in the washer drum before you add detergent, soiled clothes, and water.

If you have no detergent at all, use one cup of borax or baking soda for a normal load. The clothing will be cleaner than you imagine thanks to the action of the cleaning agents, water, and the agitation from the washer. Again, pretreat stains before washing and use the warmest water temperature recommended for the garments.

Use Oxygen-Based Bleach

As a last resort when you have no laundry detergent, use one-half cup of powdered oxygen bleach instead. Add the powder to the empty washer drum before adding the dirty laundry and water.

Make Homemade Detergent

If you have time, you can create DIY homemade detergent using bar soap, borax, washing soda, and baking soda.

Products to Never Use in a Clothes Washer

Automatic Dishwasher Detergent

Most automatic dishwasher detergents contain ingredients that are much harsher than laundry detergent and can cause fading and bleaching of colors. The ingredients can also leave residue in the fabrics that can irritate the wearer's skin.

Dishwashing Liquid, Shampoo, Bubble Bath, or Body Wash

These products produce too many bubbles that will be difficult to remove during the rinse cycle. Using dishwashing soap in a high-efficiency washer can produce so many suds that they will overflow and harm the machine's electronics system and void the warranty.

Household Cleaners or Ammonia

Both of these products are too harsh for most fabrics and can be irritating to the skin. The cleaners also contain ingredients that can cause color loss and spotting on fabrics. Household cleaners can also contain sudsing ingredients that will damage a high-efficiency washing machine.

Detergent Alternatives for Hand-Washing Clothes

If you are out of detergent and decide to simply wash a few items in the sink you have more options as alternatives for your regular detergent. It is much more simple to control suds in a sink or bathtub than in a washer because you can use much less of the substitute cleaner.

If the garment is heavily soiled, you'll get the best results if you allow it to soak for 30 minutes or longer in the cleaning solution. This gives the cleaning agent time to break down the soil in the fabric so you can rinse it away after some agitation.

Always add the alternative cleaner to the water and stir well before adding clothes. Do not pour the cleaner directly on the fabrics to prevent spotting.

Use Shampoo

When handwashing clothes, choose a gentle shampoo like baby shampoo. Do not use a combination shampoo and conditioner or one that tints hair. Use only one teaspoon for a bathroom sink full of water. Use more for a larger sink or several items.

Grab a Bar of Soap

As you know, there are several laundry bar soaps (Fels Naptha, Zote) that are used to treat stains. The laundry soaps or regular bath bars can be used for handwashing clothes by shaving a bit into hot water to melt or by rubbing key soiled areas with the bar. Choose bars that do not contain oils or skin softeners to prevent spotting.

Use Body Wash or Hand-Washing Soaps

As with the recommendations for shampoo, use only a small amount and choose a wash or soap without added moisturizers.

Use Dishwashing Liquid

In a real pinch, reach for dishwashing liquid. Use the smallest amount possible and double-check that the formula does not contain bleaching agents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does adding baking soda to laundry help?

Adding 1/2 cup of baking soda to a load of laundry can help detergents work effectively and help eliminate heavy odors and residue. You can also use baking soda and water as a per-soak.

Can you wash clothes with just water?

You can wash clothes with just water, but you may not get them thoroughly clean. The agitation from the washing and the rinsing of the water can take care of easy-to-remove dirt on the surface, but it won't take care of stains and any heavy odors. Use a laundry detergent to break down stains and soiling.

Can I use dish soap as laundry detergent?

It's not advisable to use dish soap as a substitute for laundry detergent. Dish soaps are designed to tackle grease and grime on hard surfaces, and not on soft materials like clothes. It can harm your washing machine and potentially cause skin irritation. Laundry detergents have ingredients that protect delicate fabrics, which dish soaps lack.

Can I use shampoo to wash clothes?

Although you can use shampoo to hand-wash your clothes, it is not recommended to use it as a detergent in a washing machine. In case of an emergency where you have no other option but to use shampoo, remember to use it very carefully and in a small amount, as it may harm your washing machine.

What is the best homemade laundry detergent?

The best homemade laundry detergent is a formula using 1/2 cup borax, 15.5-ounce bar soap or soap flakes, 1 cup washing soda, and 1 cup baking soda.

Read the original article on The Spruce.