I've run out of washing powder: what should I do?

Laundry detergents are almost always sold in large containers, so you can go months without worrying about refilling. This is a big advantage, but large containers also have a downside: they always run out unexpectedly. If this happens in broad daylight, it's no big deal; you can simply go to the store and buy a new supply. But what if you run out of laundry detergent when you can't find a replacement, and you need to wash your clothes right away? Let's look at some possible alternatives.

Dishwashing liquid

In this section, we'll cover not only traditional liquid dishwashing gels but also dishwasher tablets. These are often used as a replacement for traditional laundry detergent. However, don't rush – first, carefully read the ingredients before adding it to your dishwasher's detergent dispenser. Pay attention to aggressive components that can damage clothing and fragile household appliances. Also make sure that your household chemicals do not contain chlorine, as it can ruin colored laundry.

Most dishwashing detergents do not contain chlorine or other aggressive ingredients, but this should still be checked.

The main advantage of this alternative is its ability to effectively remove grease and stubborn stains. However, dishwashing liquids also have a downside: they foam excessively, which can cause foam to ooze out of every crevice of your dishwasher during the cleaning cycle.

That's why you should add one teaspoon of gel or even less detergent to your wash cycle to avoid damaging your appliance. This doesn't apply to dishwasher tablets, as they won't produce much foam.

Baby shampoo

If you suddenly run out of laundry detergent, consider baby shampoo, which is known for its low foaming properties. To effectively wash items, add just 10 milliliters per kilogram of dirty laundry. This product can be used on any fabric, but is especially suitable for woolen items, which will become soft and fluffy after a cycle.

However, it's important to remember that baby shampoo is harder to rinse out of clothes, so regardless of the program you choose, you'll need to run an extra rinse afterwards. You can use shower gel instead of baby shampoo, but it lathers much more intensely, so the dosage should be different.

Gel soap

If you're unsure what to use instead of laundry detergent, regular liquid hand soap can be a good alternative. It won't remove old stains, ingrained dirt, and other heavy stains, but it will help refresh your clothes, leaving them soft and pleasant to the touch. Therefore, this soap is best used only for daily washing on quick cycles.

This product typically lathers very well, so be careful when washing with it. Add no more than one teaspoon per cycle to avoid any interference with your machine.

Let's make the remedy ourselves

Finally, you can make your own detergent if there are no other alternatives, or if they don’t suit you for some reason. It cannot completely replace washing powder, but it can be used several times until there is no other choice. For production you will need the following:

• 200 grams of ordinary baking soda.
• 200 grams of borax.
• 200 grams of table salt.
• 100 milliliters of wine vinegar.

Carefully mix the first three ingredients in a small container, then pour the vinegar into a separate glass and set it aside for now. What to do with the resulting mixture?

• For every 2 kilograms of laundry, measure out 40 grams of the resulting powder and take 2 teaspoons of wine vinegar.
• Pour the detergent into the main wash compartment.
• Pour vinegar into the rinse aid compartment.
• Load the drum with not too dirty colored items in the amount for which you have prepared the detergent.
• Start the work cycle.

This product shouldn't be used on white clothes or colored items that tend to fade heavily during washing. The resulting powder can ruin these items, so it's best not to risk it. It's also worth noting that this homemade detergent is much less effective than certified store-bought products, but it's still safe to use in exceptional cases.

When you need to quickly remove lightly soiled laundry, you can slightly modify the recipe to create a detergent for lightly soiled laundry. To do this, you'll need just 200 grams each of borax and baking soda, mixed in a container with a tight-fitting lid. To wash 2 kilograms of laundry, use a measuring cup to pour 30 grams of the mixture into the glass, add hot water, and stir with a spoon. Then, simply pour the detergent into the detergent dispenser and select the desired cycle. The mixture is suitable for washing at temperatures between 40 and 60 degrees Celsius.

Now you know you don't have to run to the 24-hour store in the dead of night if you suddenly run out of laundry detergent. There are alternatives, but don't overuse them and give up on commercial household cleaning products forever, as they are far more effective than any alternative.

   

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