A few big changes happened when we brought our first child home from the hospital.
Of course there’s the obvious: we added a member to the family.
But we also started thinking about putting locks on cabinets (which we didn’t do), figured out how to open and close a stroller with one hand (which deserves an award), and essentially gave up on sleeping altogether.
On a more personal note, I also stopped buying bleach and stopped sorting laundry.
Between Mr. Crumbs and I, there was only a red shirt or two in the house. So I figured as long as those shirts DIDN’T get washed with everything else and Mr. Crumbs wasn’t left wearing pink undershirts to work, I was good to go.
Fast forward 7 1/2 years and while sleeping is still a luxury, it happens on most nights. This now affords me time to reflect on things like what kind of glue is used for the stickers on my produce, why little building blocks that claim “guaranteed to fit 100% with other name-brand building blocks” don’t really fit (yes, I’m talking about you wannabe LEGO’s) and how Mr. Crumb’s whitey tighties weren’t as white as they used to be.
Which led me to rethink my ban on bleach.
For like, two seconds.
I didn’t research bleach and whether or not it’s healthy and all that stuff, because I think it’s safe to say that bleach isn’t the best cleaning solution out there. You can’t eat it, it smells awful and it’s dangerous for kids. A triple whammy in my book and in this season of life, I’m kinda ready to find a better, more natural alternative anyway.
In the arena of homemade bleach alternatives, there seem to be a few major key players:
- hydrogen peroxide
- lemon juice
- baking soda
- vinegar
- citric acid
- lemon essential oil
The goal is to find a winning combination that a) brightens your clothes, b) smells good, and c) doesn’t irritate your skin.
All of the items above will gently brighten clothes, but you can’t just mix it all up in a pot and expect success. In fact, mixing vinegar and hydrogen peroxide creates paracetic acid which can be incredibly irritating to the skin, eyes and nasal passageways.
Seeing as I’m not really wanting to burn myself while doing laundry, and not really sure how this combination would effect my clothes in the long term, I scratched vinegar off the list.
Citric acid helps make the cleaning solution more effective if you have hard water, but I don’t keep this on hand and don’t want to buy it just for this recipe. So that got scratched off the list too.
After several rounds of washing our white cloth napkins and Mr. Crumbs undershirts, I’ve come up with a combination that gets the job done!
DIY: All-natural Homemade Bleach Alternative
Supplies
- 3/4 cup 3% hydrogen peroxide
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 10-15 drops lemon essential oil**
- 3/4 cup baking soda
- 7 cups water
*I know there are a lot of essential oil companies out there and I’ve certainly tried my fair share of brands. But after testing and researching and more testing, only one is worth spending money on (in my opinion). For a couple years now I’ve been committed to Young Living oils, and you can read more about their oils and my decision HERE.
I’ve also switched from my homemade laundry detergent to Thieves laundry detergent. I’ve found that it is washing my clothes MUCH better and is also MUCH cheaper!
Method
Combine all ingredients in a container capable of holding 1/2 gallon or more. Shake well.
Use 1 cup per load, washing with hottest water setting available.
Additional Recipe Notes
Some other recipes call for equal parts hydrogen peroxide and lemon juice, but I thought that was a bit expensive with so much lemon juice. The 3:1 ratio is enough to get the job done, and keep costs down.
Hydrogen peroxide should be kept in a cool, dark place and preferably in a dark bottle. I used an old water jug for this solution, labeled it appropriately and keep it stored in the garage where it’s normally dark anyway. Plus that’s where our washer and dryer is.
The water you add can be plain tap water. No need to use filtered water when it’s only going to be combined with tap water in the washer anyway.
Washing Tips
This is an effective washing technique, but if your clothes are exceptionally dingy, it may take more than a simple wash and rinse to see a significant difference. You have a few options:
- soak dirty clothes and solution in the washer overnight; add detergent and finish cleaning cycle in the morning
- wash dirty clothes twice in a row before drying
- wash in hot water
Cost Breakdown
- hydrogen peroxide: $0.07
- lemon juice: $0.18
- lemon essential oils: $0.38
- baking soda: $0.21
Total cost for 1/2 gallon all-natural homemade bleach alternative is just 84¢!
Store-bought bleach at Costco costs 3¢ per ounce, but the homemade version costs just 1¢ per ounce – and you’re not getting the harmful chemicals!
To get the best deal possible, aim for less than $1 for a 32oz bottle of hydrogen peroxide and buy baking soda and lemon juice in bulk (I buy both at Costco).
Other DIY Laundry-related Posts:
- Laundry Stain Remover
- Laundry Detergent (for Sensitive Skin)
- The Health Benefits of Line Drying Laundry
Help is here! Kinda Crunchy is a 31 day challenge to help you make simple changes towards natural living. In just 15 minutes a day you can learn how to clean your home with non-toxic cleaners, cook healthier food, and take better care of yourself and family.
Will have to give this a try, I only use bleach for my whites. Got a question: is the Lemon Oil just for the scent?
Oh, this is great! I only use bleach for my whites too, but I always dislike how harsh it is. Definitely going to have to try this! I’m curious though too….do you have to use the essential oil? I’m guessing no, but just checking. 🙂
Lydia – it’s optional, but lemon essential oil does have whitening properties. Definitely worth the addition if you have it already!
Hello. Just wondering once you have made I’d how do you store it? Plastic or glass bottle? Thank you
can I store this homemade bleach alternative in an old rinsed out bleach container?
Sure!
Same question for me! And can it be used for dishes too besides laundry!
Debbie, the lemon essential oil is optional, but it has whitening properties. Definitely worth the addition if you have it already!
Thank you for the bleach alternative recipe. I hate using bleach and chemicals to whiten my laundry. It invariably gets on me and my dark clothes. I’ve ruined too many clothes! I can’t wait to try this. And it seems so easy!
Instead of lemon essential oi could lime be use as I already have that already?
yes the lemon oil is just for the smell 🙂
Actually, lemon has brightening properties! You could use time for scent (but not a lot, since it’s greenish), but to boost whiteness, you need lemon.
I’ve always been allergic to bleach fumes, but have been forced to use it at times. I’m looking forward to using your formula.
Frankie, we hope it works well for you!
Do you just use this on your whites, or is it safe for colors?
Selena, I only use this on my whites, but you could use less on colors and probably be fine. For one load, I’d go with 1/4 – 1/2 cup instead of the full cup for whites.
Agreed — so long as it’s diluted in the wash water *before* you put the clothes in! -MG
This my second time making all natural bleach and I wouldn’t trade it for nothing. It’s Better than regular bleach. I’m going to make this for now on.
I am definitely going to try this! Thanks so much! Do you put the solution right in with the laundry detergent or do you need to pour it in the little bleach dispenser area in the washer? Sorry if that is a silly question!
I toss it right in with the laundry detergent Tina. Not a silly question at all!
Hello, so I have an HE washer. Would I put it right in with the detergent in the detergent dispenser or in the drum?
I’m not sure Maria, as I haven’t tested this with an HE washer yet. If that’s what you do with bleach, than it should work!
Since this contains lemon juice, an acid and baking soda, a base, I’m wondering if it remains effective past the first few loads??? I’ve tried similar recipes in the past. All worked great at first, but over time the acids and bases in the recipes fully reacted with one another and the recipe no longer worked.
Hi Mary! I’ve been making this half gallon at a time and using it at least once a week and haven’t had any issues for the past several months. I’m not a chemist, but if acid + base = ineffective over time, then I would stick to the smaller batches!
I was thinking the same thing regarding chemical reactions. I would make it up as I needed it, using much smaller measurements.
Does this work for cleaning surfaces too, not just clothing?
Hi Penny! I haven’t tried it yet since I use a citrus infused vinegar solution, but if you do, please come back and let us know how it works!
Speaking of citrus infused vinegar and in case some don’t know – it’s an excellent flea repellent. Use it as a final leave-in rinse after bathing your dog and keep some more in a spray bottle to zap any early arrivals between baths. Between the vinegar solution and a baltic amber color, I couldn’t tell you the last time I had a flea or tick issue and I’m close to the beach in So cal where fleas never take a day off.
Marcia, I have been looking for a natural flea repellant! What kind of vinegar do you use? What proportions of vinegar and other ingredients? Thanks so much.
For a color-safe bleach, try 1/2 c. washing soda and 1/2 c. hydrogen peroxide, put right into the washing machine with hot water before adding clothes.
Thanks for the tip and recipe Carol!
THANK YOU for the bleach alternative. I’ve been really wanting one!
You’re most welcome!!
I can’t wait to try this in the laundry. My biggest need of bleach is in our shower! Our humid weather causes black mold to grow. Do you think it would work for killing mold in grout? I’m going to give it a try. I’ll try to remember to let you know how it worked.
I haven’t tried it yet on mold, but we have the same issue living so close to the ocean. I’ll let you know how it goes, unless you beat me to it first! 🙂
Have either of you ladies had any success using this on shower surfaces? I’m having a terrible time controlling the mold in my bathroom…
A great natural mold remover for the shower is 1/4 teaspoon of Clove essential oils in a spray bottle, fill the rest of the bottle with water and mix. Spray directly on the mold, let sit 20 minutes then wipe down or leave overnight.
Wow – awesome Jenny! I’ll have to try this at home! 🙂
Hi! I’m a newly married wife, who is still just learning the tricks of the trade, but I’m also passionate about natural health and healthy organic ingredients in our home. I just moved from the dry northwest to humid tropical Florida where I never knew black mold could grow so quickly in the shower! After trying a few different things, the best black mold killer in grout I’ve found so far is Borax. Literally, just wet the shower a little bit, place the Borax powder where the mold is, and scrub. I was super grossed out when I saw how much black residue went down my drain! But, supposedly, the Borax cuts to the root of the mold and kills it… instead of other cleaners, which often just clean the surface…and which I found to be true! I couldn’t believe how clean my shower was afterwards… and might I add, stayed clean! Hope this helps!
Hi Jenny,
I’m just wondering how many oz of water you use with 1/4 tsp clove essential oil since there are so many different sizes of spray bottles. I bet this also smells wonderful! Thanks for the recipe!
I thought essential oils and water don’t mix but obviously this combo works for you.
essential oils can mix with water, it is natural oils that do not. Natural oils are like Olive oil, coconut oil, vegetable oil, peanut oil… as those oils breakdown over time, whereas essential oils will not, unless they are diluted with a natural oil. A note: Even though EO can mix with water, they will eventually settle when not in use and you should shake prior to use each time.
An aromatherapist told me that EO will not mix well in water unless you add some rubbing alcohol.
rub borax powder or baking soda on grouts, it will solve the purpose
Will this be alright to use with my homemade laundry soap (typical powder one, no borax) or vinegar rinse? Thanks!
I’ve been using it with my own homemade laundry detergent Kelly! Vinegar and hydrogen peroxide will result in a potentially dangerous combo, so I haven’t tried it, but if you add the vinegar at the very end instead of the beginning with the bleach, you might be okay!
I don’t need/use bleach very often at all, mainly just for towels. I made this recipe, and imagine my surprise when I found mold floating in it 🙁
I’m not sure how you had mold in this recipe Diane… I’ve been making this monthly for several months now without any issue!
strange to me also, I have used this recipie and had it sitting in an old Dr Bonners jug for months and never had anything growing in it!!?
Is the lemon essential oil necessary?
Not absolutely necessary Kathleen, but it is a natural way to whiten. If you have it on hand, go ahead and use it. If not, give it a test run anyway!!
Hi,
First I would like to thank you for sharing this recipe. I have a second baby on the way and a toddler at home – needless to say my whites are not whites anymore, since I never use bleach. I will be using this recipe immediately, but I do have some questions and a comment. First, I have the front load high efficiency washer, so I don’t have an option to open it up mid cycle to add this or that and limited room for the washing ingredients in the dispensing boxes, how would I be able to add 1 cup in this case. Any ideas? Plus I wanted to ask how long has 1/2 gallon last you? Finally I have a comment about the earlier comment about the mold. I think it’s possible that the mold came out either from the towels or from the washer itself. I’m saying that because over time the towels can start smelling moldy and some washers are really hard to clean thoroughly.
Thanks for the tip on the mold Magdalena!
As for your front load – do you have a spare plastic toddler cup? You could add your clothes in, place the natural bleach in the cup and nestle it in the clothes. Then close the door and start the wash… does it “seal up” the holes at that time so it can hold water?
If that wouldn’t work, maybe a soak overnight first w/1 cup of the natural bleach & then whites & then covered with water. Then put the wet clothes in the washer to wash the next day?
I can’t wait to try this! My laundry room shelf has DIY laundry detergent, DIY fabric softener, and a big ol’ jug of regular BLEACH! My husband, who used to never sort his laundry and now has gray whites, is now sorting and bleaching after the fact, without much luck. Maybe this will work for him, trying the methods you suggested, and I’ll have a new bottle on my shelf!
I’m honored to be on your DIY shelve Deb! Enjoy!!
I tried this last night, soaking a load of dingy whites overnight. Washed them, then again. They looked the slightest bit better, but I guess that I was hoping for a miracle and that they’d be gleaming white! But they do look better than repetitive chlorine bleach made them look. I think the key is to keep on top of the whites from the time they are new; using this bleach alternative and always separating the whites. I keep mine in the dark basement on the DIY shelf in the laundry room. I recycled a kitty litter jug for this purpose.
Deb – it takes a few rounds if you’re going from complete dingy to sparkly white, but if you keep up with separating the whites each week, they do get much better with each wash. I’d recommending continuing with the soak/double wash for the next couple weeks if you want a big improvement sooner over later. GREAT idea reusing the kitty litter jug!
I only use cold water to wash to keep my carbon footprint as low as possible.
Will this stuff work in cold water that has lots of minerals in it? I use well water that apparently has a lot calcium in the water, I can see calcium deposits around my faucets and if I let water sit too long in something, there as well. I can’t afford to do anything to remedy that situation.
Hi Annie – I don’t know what kind of chemicals are in our water, but it does work in cold water. It’s really inexpensive to make, so maybe it’s worth a test batch?
Is this safe for cloth diapers??
I don’t have cloth diapers to test Mercedes, but it works on all of our cotton clothes!
Citrus oils can be hard on the skin, I’d test wash a couple and see how baby does before running a whole load through. I had to stop using citrus oils in my DIY laundry soap while my kids were little as they both had super sensitive skin. Luckily it’s called down as they’ve gotten older.
Maybe put them through an extra wash or rinse without soap would help that. I used to have to do that for one of my kids before disposable diapers.
I previously used bleach not only to treat whites, but also to kill any possible bacteria, fungi, etc. that might have taken up residence in my husband’s socks. He’s a soldier. Thick green socks encased in non-ventilated heavy-duty boots, sometimes for 20 hour days or worse. …yeah. So, does this kill various bacteria, etc. like bleach? Or is it just for whitening?
I previously used bleach not only to treat whites, but also to kill any possible bacteria, fungi, etc. that might have taken up residence in my husband’s socks. He’s a soldier. Thick green socks encased in non-ventilated heavy-duty boots, sometimes for 20 hour days or worse. …yeah. So, does this kill various bacteria, etc. like bleach? Or is it just for whitening? We haven’t had any issues yet, but I’d like to keep it from starting in the first place.
Hi Amanda, I was just wondering if you ever tried this for your husbands socks? I also only use bleach on my husband’s socks so I’m hoping for an alternative!
I use vinegar as my fabric softener. Will that cause a reaction with the peroxide??
I haven’t tested this myself Jenny, so I can’t say for sure. However, I *think* I’ve heard of other readers adding the vinegar at the end (so the peroxide is at the beginning) and not running into issues.
I make a fabric softener of 1 1/4 gallons: 50:50 ratio white vinegar and water mixed in a jug (white vinegar from Costco. The jug is 1 1/4 gallon size. Perfect for storing the softener.) Soak about 10 soap-nuts in the 50:50 solution about 24 hours. Remove the soap-nuts and shake the softener solution. I fill a downy ball up to the top and place it on top of the clothes at the wash cycle. It will open and release the softener into the rinse cycle and so it is not mixed directly with the peroxide in the wash cycle. You can use the downy ball with straight vinegar also. I had problems still with static in some of my clothes with straight vinegar so making the solution and adding the soap-nuts took care of that problem. Clothes come out of the dryer static free and soft. I live in a snowy cold climate during the winter months and most homes here have forced are heat which drys everything out and creates static in clothes.
Thank you. Trying…
Thanks for this! It is fantastic for our whites. My husband wears a white oxford shirt everyday and all his shirts had a ring around the neck that *nothing* could get out. This got it out in two washes!
You’re most welcome Nikolia!
Since lemon juice is supposed to be refrigerated, doesn’t this go rancid sitting in a closet? I made a cleaner once with peroxide and lemon juice and it went rancid. Gross. Then I started storing it in the refrigerator. Do you use the bottled concentrated lemon juice? Lemons are a buck a piece where I live.
I’ve used both fresh (from the fridge) and bottled (from the pantry) and I haven’t had any issue with this going rancid. I don’t make a huge amount at one time – just enough to last 2-3 weeks since it’s so easy to replenish!
Where do you buy lemon essential oil or any kind of essential oil?
Pat – I prefer to buy my essential oils from Young Living:
dontwastethecrumbs.com/essential-oils
Hi I was wondering I’m doing cloth diapers and its reccomended to do a bleach soak after a yeast or bacteria infection, and not to use essential oils. I was wondering if you’ve experienced this? Any help would be great. I would love to avoid bleach at all costs as we are allergic! Thank you so much for your time!
I’m sorry McKenna, I have zero experience with cloth diapers. Have you tried Erin from The Humbled Homemaker? She wrote an eBook on cloth diapering that is really good!
How do you think this would rate as a disinfectant?
I am highly allergic to lemons and can’t be around them or smell them. Any substitutes that would work? Love your blog.
Hi Penny! Citrus in general will work, but I believe the order of “whitening power” would be grapefruit and then orange. 🙂
thanks
I use only cold water to wash clothes will this work with bleach recipe?
Yes!
In the interest of accuracy….
Your cost analysis omitted the price of using hot water, instead of cold – as well as the increased energy cost of following your recommendation to wash the load twice.
Thanks David – the price comparison is over traditional bleach, which is usually used with hot water (making a moot point). And my recommendation to wash twice is only for heavily soiled items, which you might have to do with traditional bleach anyway. If you don’t, it’s worth the extra pennies to not use the toxic version in my opinion. 🙂
Hi, the only Hydrogen Peroxide I can get is 6%. So how should I go about amending the recipe?
I haven’t tried this recipe with stronger hydrogen peroxide Eva, but my best non-scientific guess would be to reduce it by half.
My family and I are moving to more natural homemade products. Currently in our laundry we are using BioKleen liquid laundry detergent (we will be trying homemade in the next few months). Additionally, we also use a color safe/whitening bleach and a fabric softener, which I would like to move to homemade. We have tried Molly Suds Dryer Balls and they are great, and we will continue to use, but we are hoping a liquid homemade fabric softener will help soften the clothes a q bit more in addition to the dryer balls. I’ve been doing quite a bit of research into homemade recipes and my family has decided on the following:
Bleach – hydrogen peroxide,lemon juice,essential oil, water mix
Fabric softener vinegar, baking soda, essential oil
My concern and question is this. I know vinegar and hydrogen peroxide when mixed create peracetic acid. I am unsure of how they would mx in a washer even though one is during the wash cycle and one during the rinse cycle. Should I be concerned? Any other suggestions?
I’m not a pro Andrew, but I don’t think there’s a concern because of the way the washer handles the fabric softener. Like you said, the fabric softener is not added at the same time as the detergent, rather it’s added during the rinse cycle. I think the concern of mixing vinegar and hydrogen peroxide is mostly for the homemade detergent recipes that call for both – because they’re out there!
Thanks Tiffany! That is my thought process as well. I may be overdoing it with our detergent, hydrogen perixoide color safe bleach, vinegar fabric softnener and dryer balls, but hey we are learning. 🙂
I make a fabric softener of 1 1/4 gallons: 50:50 ratio white vinegar and water mixed in a jug (white vinegar from Costco. The jug is 1 1/4 gallon size. Perfect for storing the softener.) Soak about 10 soap-nuts in the 50:50 solution about 24 hours. Remove the soap-nuts and shake the softener solution. I fill a downy ball up to the top and place it on top of the clothes at the wash cycle. It will open and release the softener into the rinse cycle and so it is not mixed directly with the peroxide in the wash cycle. You can use the downy ball with straight vinegar also. I had problems still with static in some of my clothes with straight vinegar so making the solution and adding the soap-nuts took care of that problem. Clothes come out of the dryer static free and soft. I live in a snowy cold climate during the winter months and most homes here have forced are heat which drys everything out and creates static in clothes.
Would you be able to use this for the shower or general cleaning in place of bleach? Looking to clean the shower of mildew and general scum.
I haven’t tried it in the shower Stacy, but if you do please let us know how it goes. I have heard of using tea tree oil, Thieves (by Young Living) and lemon essential oils for soap scum and mildew.
Great recipe, I’m just curious if you know how long this will last? If I mix it all up and leave it sitting on the laundry shelf for a few months will it still be good or will things like the lemon juice start to go bad? Also, do you just dump it right in with the clothes or put it into the separate side spout labeled bleach? Thank you!
Hi Trevor – I’ve used it for a few months at a time w/o any issue. And yes, dump it right into the water, before you add the clothes!
is this bleach recipe only for laundry or can i use it in the kitchen as well? i usually used bleach cleaners for the sink and countertops to disinfect.
You could totally use this in your kitchen! The disinfecting properties of the hydrogen peroxide and cleansing properties of lemon essential oil will clean your counters.
I haven’t used bleach for years since it is so caustic & toxic. That being said, none of my white clothes have remained white for long. I’m excited to see how well your recipe works. Thanks!
You’re very welcome Tonla! I hope it works as well for you as it does for us!
A way to cut back on the cost if peroxide is to buy the concentrated peroxide used by hairdressers. Developer is simply peroxide, and u cut it with water.
For instance if u have 20 volume developer-
1 cup 20 volume developer 1 cup water mixed is 10 volume or 10% peroxide. Continue until u reach the desired 3%
FYI-it can b perchused at Sally’s in as little as 5% I believe
Oh wow – great tip Cherie! Thanks so much for sharing!
What I’m confused about is the price of the peroxide, seems to me the cheapest is about $4 for 32oz? I’m in UK but looking at what you linked to as well. I’m on a budget so don’t want to be spending if it doesn’t end up being cheaper xD
My prices are US based, so I’m not really sure what’s a good deal in the UK. I’m sorry!
im pregnant so this bleach alternative is perfect for me! thanks 😉
I want to try this. I am always looking for cruelty free vegan. My problem when I try to soak. I have a new digital washing machine. I have tried bleaching drop cloths before it only soaks for 4 hours. I have tried turning the machine off than it empties the water does anyone have a solution. Thanks for your post.
I don’t have lemons or lemon juice on me, though I do have lemon EO. Would like juice work the same as the lemon?
Sorry for the typo. I meant lime juice; would this work?
I don’t think lime juice would work the same as lemon – I’ve never heard of lime having any whitening properties. Sorry!
I have never heard of that either; just thought I’d ask
If I need to soak clothes in the solution in a front load washer, would i put the solution directly into the drum, or in the container where you add bleach?
Because of how front loaders are designed, you can’t soak clothes in them. You’ll have to do this in a tub. Sorry!
Hi
how to address the front loading machine ( having in our family) , how we can use this in front loading machines
Do you think I could use this to “bleach” cotton or denim?
If you leave it on long enough, it might. If you want to bleach something, I’d soak it for a long time, then put it out in the sun to dry.
I can only get 6% hydrogen peroxide, can I use this instead of 3%?
Hi all. Thanks for this very important and interesting article & comments! I have been using Dr. Mercola’s Healthy Home Greener Cleaner Bleach Alternative and Laundry Pouches for about a year or so, and ECOS Magnolia and Lily Laundry Detergent 210 fl. oz, (from Costco) for longer, yet they don’t seem to be doing that great a job any more, especially when used on certain stains as a pretreater. I can’t wait to try your DIY alternative!! However, most, if not all of my clothes say to wash in cool to warm water, not hot. I am thinking of trying a little load in both hot and cool/cold to check. Thanks again! 🙂
Hello! I was wondering if this technique will take colour out of a cotton fabric. I have a purple throw, but wish to naturally bleach it to be white or whiter. Let me know if you think this might work!
Ta!
I’m not sure Natalie. If you WANT your throw to be white, then it couldn’t hurt giving this a shot!
So this sounds just great; however, I am cautious as to whether this mix creates any toxic fumes. I have been reading that one should NEVER mix chlorine with anything acidic like lemon juice or vinegar and also never with hydrogen peroxide. Since tap water has chlorine in it, is this causing harmful vapors???
Have you ever had the pressure build up in your container? I made a batch up a few weeks ago and went to open it and the lid popped off as I loosened it like a champagne cork. Is it that I just made too much and haven’t used it quickly enough?
I didn’t run into that issue Whitney, so I’d say make a little less, or leave it vented, and you should be fine!
Hi there, Tiffany!
I’m wondering where the citric acid fits into your recipe…you have it in your original list, but in the list with measurements, it’s not there.
Thanks! I’m a YL member as well and love my oils!
Good question! It’s on the web as something helps to brighten clothes, but because it’s not something I normally have on hand, I didn’t test the recipe with it. 🙂
Ok, thanks, was just wondering about a measurement, but I’ll figure it out. =)
Do you have to store extras in the fridge because there is lemon juice in it?
I don’t!
Thanks for the recipe and helpful comments. I am just getting ready to switch our laundry methods to safer ones – this is just in time. My question is how do you store this – glass or plastic?
Small batches in glass would be best Amber!
My mother-in-law says to use bleach to clean cutting boards we used for cutting raw meat. Could this be used as a healthier alternative? I just don’t feel comfortable putting bleach onto something we put food on, although I understand it’s supposed to kill bacteria, etc.
I don’t feel comfortable putting bleach on anything, Gabby!! This could be a healthier alternative, although I haven’t tested how well it works with killing germs and such. I use Thieves Household Cleaner (by Young Living) because I HAVE tested it against raw chicken (versus a vinegar-based cleaner) and it got the job done!! (The vinegar didn’t, BTW.)
Hi there! I know you had mentioned that you left Citric Acid out but we do have pretty hard water (which I’m sure is a huge contributing factor to less than pristine whites.)…How much Citric Acid would you add to the recipe?
do u still u this bleach alternative today? have u tried it without the lemon essential oil?
Hi Charon! No, because we now have a front loader and I’m not sure how to make this work. I also haven’t tried it without the essential oil.
I just made a batch of this (used 1/2 cup lemon juice because we have a lot) and used it to soak my fabric shower curtain liner that I haven’t been able to get clean, it’s got that pink mold and it smells! I’ve washed it in bleach several times but I’ve never soaked it in bleach – which I would have used a heavily diluted mixture. This recipe worked amazing! The cleanest it’s been in a long time. I’m now making a 2nd batch to soak my other fabric liner in.
Thank you so much!
You’re so very welcome Michelle!
Regarding laundry detergent. Have you heard of Soap Nuts? They come from India and grow on trees! You put them in your washing machine with your clothes and they wash them beautifully. They can be used for 4 to 5 washes before they need be thrown away; either onto the compost heap or in your garden (keeping away the slugs and snails). They are 100% bio-degradable and can be used for everything from washing clothes, cleaning the house, washing your pets to feeding your plants the soil. Now that’s what I call eco-friendly and they don’t cost that much either. I went onto Amazon UK and found them being sold at the standard price of £12.99 (yep I am English) and someone else was selling them at £60. Same brand name too. So in dollars it won’t be too much.
Has anyone ever tried this to actually bleach the color out of cotton t-shirts? Does it work for that? I’m looking for an alternative to traditional bleach because it leaves holes behind in the fabric. Any thoughts?
I love this combination, I have tried other recipes and this one is the best. I have asthma and can no longer use anything with bleach.I love this one, and have been using it for about a year now. I use it not only for whites, but for my sheets and towels; and it never fades the colors. Thank you so much for this alternative.
I’m so glad this is working for you, Shannon! 🙂
To answer your question, I both love and hate store bought bleach. I don’t use it for laundry. I just like keeping it on hand for emergencies, such as this Covid-19 thing, and I am using it diluted in spray bottles, 1 part to 15 parts water, as is recommended on the CDC website. Because it is concentrated, One bottle will last me fo-evah! I’m so glad I keep it on hand, so that when people were hoarding (shame!), I had all I needed with just part of a bottle.
But I hate it for everything else. Bleach has messed up our laundry more times than helped it, so usually I use an oxygen cleaner and the “whites” cycle on my washer for brightening whites, as needed, and then doubling the rinse. I have been looking to DIY the oxygen cleaner, though, because store bought oxygen cleaner also has chemicals in it I would rather not use. My family has sensitive skin, and I also want our waste water to be as gentle on the environment as possible.
I have a question about your recipe. Hydrogen peroxide and lemon juice are acids, and baking soda is alkaline. Don’t they just bubble and cancel each other’s effectiveness when you mix it?