Keeping your laundry fresh and clean doesn't have to involve harsh chemicals.
Discover simple, natural ways to boost your laundry routine, from sanitizing clothes to adding delightful, lasting scents.
These DIY methods use everyday ingredients to ensure your clothes are not only clean but also smell wonderfully fresh, offering a healthier choice for you and your home.
Table of Contents
1. Natural Laundry Sanitizer with Vinegar and Tea Tree Oil
This natural laundry sanitizer harnesses the power of distilled white vinegar and tea tree essential oil to combat bacteria and odors in your wash.
Vinegar gently softens fabrics and cleans your machine, while tea tree oil offers its natural antibacterial properties.
It's a fantastic way to ensure your clothes are fresh and sanitized, even when washing in cold water.
Key Ingredients:
- Distilled White Vinegar
- Tea Tree Essential Oil
Benefits:
- Sanitizes Laundry
- Softens Fabric
- Deodorizes
- Cleans Washing Machine
Pro Tip: For an extra scent boost and enhanced sanitation, combine a cup of distilled white vinegar with a few drops of tea tree oil in the fabric softener compartment.
Get the Recipe: Natural Laundry Sanitizer with Vinegar and Tea Tree Oil
2. DIY Laundry Scent Booster with Epsom Salt and Essential Oils
Create a custom, natural scent booster for your laundry using simple Epsom salt and your favorite essential oils.
This blend not only infuses your clothes with delightful aromas like lemon or lavender but also helps eliminate tough odors.
It's a budget-friendly and much healthier alternative to commercial scent boosters, leaving your laundry smelling wonderfully fresh.
Key Ingredients:
- Epsom Salt
- Lemon Essential Oil
- Tea Tree Essential Oil
- Lavender Essential Oil
Benefits:
- Adds Natural Fragrance
- Eliminates Odors
- Softens Fabric
Pro Tip: You can customize your scent by blending oils like lemon and tea tree for a purifying boost, or lavender and eucalyptus for a calming effect.
Get the Recipe: DIY Laundry Scent Booster with Epsom Salt and Essential Oils
3. Gentle Laundry Sanitizer with Borax
Borax is a natural mineral that works wonders as a laundry sanitizer, making your detergent more effective and helping to combat bacteria.
It's a great option for ensuring a deep clean, especially for loads that need an extra boost.
Simply add it to your wash for cleaner, fresher-smelling clothes.
Key Ingredients:
- Borax
Benefits:
- Antibacterial
- Enhances Detergent Performance
- Deodorizes
Pro Tip: Borax works best in hot water, so consider using it for loads that can handle higher temperatures to maximize its sanitizing power.
Get the Recipe: Gentle Laundry Sanitizer with Borax
4. DIY Laundry Scent Booster with Sea Salt and Essential Oils
Craft your own laundry scent booster using simple sea salt (or Epsom salt) and your favorite essential oils.
This easy DIY recipe infuses your clothes with lovely natural scents while helping to keep colors vibrant and whites bright.
It's a fantastic way to avoid synthetic fragrances and enjoy a subtly fresh-smelling wardrobe.
Key Ingredients:
- Sea Salt
- Epsom Salt
- Essential Oils
Benefits:
- Adds Natural Fragrance
- Brightens Colors
- Reduces Yellowing on Whites
- Stain Remover
Pro Tip: For an easy way to dispense your scent booster, use a jar with a shaker top, similar to cheese shakers.
Get the Recipe: DIY Laundry Scent Booster with Sea Salt and Essential Oils
5. Sanitizing Laundry with Zoflora
Add a delightful fragrance and sanitizing power to your laundry with a touch of Zoflora.
This highly concentrated product can be added to your fabric softener compartment to leave your clothes smelling gorgeous while helping to sanitize them.
It's an easy way to elevate your laundry routine with a clean and pleasant aroma.
Key Ingredients:
- Zoflora
Benefits:
- Sanitizes Laundry
- Adds Pleasant Fragrance
Pro Tip: Use only half a capful of Zoflora to avoid overwhelming the scent and ensure it's used as intended for laundry.
Get the Recipe: Sanitizing Laundry with Zoflora
6. Deep Cleaning Laundry Booster with Oxygen Bleach and Washing Soda
This powerful DIY laundry booster combines oxygen bleach and washing soda for a deep clean that tackles tough stains and neutralizes odors.
Baking soda also joins the mix, offering its renowned deodorizing properties.
It's an excellent way to enhance your regular detergent for brighter, fresher, and more hygienic laundry loads.
Key Ingredients:
- Sodium Percarbonate (Oxygen Bleach)
- Sodium Carbonate (Washing Soda)
- Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda)
Benefits:
- Deep Cleaning
- Removes Stains
- Neutralizes Odors
- Whitens Fabrics
Pro Tip: Adding a few drops of lemon or eucalyptus essential oil to this mixture can provide extra disinfecting power and a fresh scent.
Get the Recipe: Deep Cleaning Laundry Booster with Oxygen Bleach and Washing Soda
7. Gentle Fabric Softener with Epsom Salt and Essential Oils
Create a natural and effective fabric softener using Epsom salts infused with essential oils like peppermint and orange.
This blend not only leaves your clothes feeling soft but also imparts a crisp, energizing aroma that lingers.
It’s a simple, green, and cost-effective way to pamper your laundry.
Key Ingredients:
- Epsom Salt
- Peppermint Oil
- Orange Oil
Benefits:
- Softens Fabric
- Adds Fresh Scent
- Natural Alternative
Pro Tip: Store this mixture in a clear jar for a chic, spa-like addition to your laundry room aesthetic.
Get the Recipe: Gentle Fabric Softener with Epsom Salt and Essential Oils
8. Sanitizing Laundry with Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a versatile laundry helper that acts as a powerful sanitizer while also whitening and brightening your clothes.
For white loads, it's an excellent alternative to bleach, effectively killing germs and removing stains.
Just add it to your wash for a super clean and fresh result.
Key Ingredients:
- Hydrogen Peroxide
Benefits:
- Sanitizes Laundry
- Whitens and Brightens
- Removes Stains
Pro Tip: Always perform a spot test on colored fabrics before using hydrogen peroxide to ensure it doesn't cause discoloration.
Get the Recipe: Sanitizing Laundry with Hydrogen Peroxide
9. DIY Anti-Microbial Fabric Softener with Essential Oils
Combat everyday germs and freshen fabrics with this DIY anti-microbial fabric softener.
By infusing Epsom salts with powerful essential oils like lemon, lavender, and melaleuca, you create a blend that's tough on bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
It’s a wonderfully green and effective way to ensure your laundry is clean, soft, and healthy.
Key Ingredients:
- Epsom Salts
- Lemon Essential Oil
- Lavender Essential Oil
- Melaleuca Essential Oil
Benefits:
- Sanitizes Fabric
- Softens Clothes
- Fights Bacteria, Viruses, and Fungi
Pro Tip: Adjust the number of essential oil drops based on your scent preference and the size of your laundry load.
Get the Recipe: DIY Anti-Microbial Fabric Softener with Essential Oils
10. Natural Laundry Powder with Washing Soda and Baking Soda
This homemade laundry powder is a fantastic way to tackle dirt and odors naturally.
It uses simple ingredients like washing soda and baking soda to gently clean your clothes while leaving them feeling fresh.
You can even add essential oils for a lovely, subtle scent.
It’s a cost-effective and eco-friendly choice for your laundry routine.
Key Ingredients:
- Soap
- Washing Soda
- Baking Soda
- Borax (optional)
- Essential Oils
Benefits:
- Natural Cleaning
- Odor Elimination
- Cost-Effective
- Eco-Friendly
Pro Tip: For an extra scent boost, add a few extra drops of your favorite essential oil to the dry mixture.
Get the Recipe: Natural Laundry Powder with Washing Soda and Baking Soda