Washing Machine Without Detergent
10 Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent
Alternatives For When You’ve Run Out
Washing clothes with detergent primarily relies on its surfactants to function. On one hand, surfactants bind to stains, making them easier to rinse off with water; on the other hand, they interact with water, simplifying the dissolution of stains in it.
If you’re preparing to wash clothes only to find no detergent left, don’t panic—we can still use other household items as substitutes to achieve clean results. Below are 9 such products, along with explanations of their respective advantages and disadvantages for your reference.
If your goal is to reduce chemical usage while effectively removing surface stains and sanitizing clothes, we’ve also highlighted a more eco-friendly laundry method later in the text
Baking Soda
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a common detergent substitute that is gentler than regular detergents. When dissolved in water, it has a pH value of 8.3, making it weakly alkaline, which allows it to neutralize acidic stains for removal. It can also react with oils to form water-soluble substances.
Baking soda has adsorption properties, enabling it to eliminate odors like sweat or smoke from clothing and restore their natural freshness.
Additionally, baking soda acts as a natural bleaching agent, primarily due to its oxidizing properties, making it effective for reviving yellowed garments.
Usage Methods
- Add a cup of baking soda directly to the washing machine during laundry, or mix it with water at a 1:1 ratio, dissolve, and pour into the machine.
- Soak clothes in water with a cup of baking soda, stir to ensure even dissolution, and let them soak for 30 minutes. Gently scrubbing after soaking can easily remove stains.
Drawbacks
- Baking soda’s stain-removing ability is weaker than that of detergents, making it less effective for tough, stubborn stains.
- Excessive use can lead to excessively high alkaline concentrations, which may damage fabrics.
- It is not suitable for delicate fabrics like silk or wool; always check the garment’s care label before use.
White Vinegar
White vinegar is a staple condiment in every household, primarily composed of acetic acid, and serves as a natural laundry aid. It enhances water’s stain-removing power, breaking down stubborn stains such as sweat, sebum, light pigment stains (e.g., tea, coffee), and more. The acidic environment it creates also sterilizes bacteria—common in socks and underwear. Additionally, it neutralizes alkaline substances that cause odors, such as sweat and smoke.
Usage Methods
- Machine Washing: Add 100-200ml (about a cup) of white vinegar per load; the recommended water temperature is 30-40°C.
- Hand Washing: Add 30-50ml (about a quarter cup) of white vinegar to the water.
Drawbacks
- White vinegar may damage certain fabrics, including silk, wool, down jackets, and PU leather.
- Its stain-removing ability is limited—it only works effectively on acidic or weakly acidic stains. For oil-based, blood, or milk stains, it may exacerbate the problem.
- If not thoroughly rinsed, residual vinegar odor may remain, affecting the wearing experience.
Note: White vinegar should never be used with chlorine-based bleach (e.g., 84 Disinfectant), as they react to produce toxic chlorine gas.
Baking Soda
Citric acid is a natural organic acid and a food-grade additive, making it exceptionally safe and gentle. It does not damage infant clothing or delicate materials (such as wool or silk); instead, it softens fibers.
Citric acid contains three carboxyl groups, granting it strong chelating ability. For hard water (high in calcium and magnesium ions), it binds to metal elements in the water, preventing them from depositing on clothes.
Its natural acidity breaks down organic stains, including sweat, tea, and coffee stains.
Usage Methods
- Machine Washing: Add 50-150ml per load (adjust based on water hardness).
- Hand Washing: Add 10-20ml per basin.
- Stubborn Stain Removal: Dilute citric acid at a 1:10 ratio (e.g., 5ml citric acid + 50ml water), apply to the stain, let sit for 10 minutes, then rinse.
Drawbacks
- Less effective on strongly alkaline stains (e.g., oil-based stains, urates in urine) and protein-based stains (e.g., blood, milk).
- Requires attention to concentration and frequency: high concentrations may leave residues that irritate skin, and long-term use can damage metal components in washing machines.
Borax
Borax is an auxiliary cleaner found in many detergents. With a pH value of 9-10, it is an alkaline substance particularly effective at removing oils and stubborn acidic stains. It also boasts excellent bactericidal and disinfectant properties, capable of damaging the cell membranes and enzyme systems of bacteria and fungi. When combined with oxygen in water, borax generates hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), which can bleach garments and prevent yellowing.
Usage Methods
- Borax must be dissolved before use. The recommended water temperature is 40-50°C.
- For regular laundry, a concentration of 0.5%-1% is suggested (i.e., 5-10g of borax per 1L of water).
- For heavy oil stains or sterilization, the concentration can be adjusted to 1.5%-2%, but must not exceed 2%.
Drawbacks
- It damages protein fiber garments such as silk and wool.
- As a low-toxicity substance, direct skin contact should be avoided.
- Borax leaves residues easily, requiring additional rinsing after use. Its discharged water also poses environmental risks.
Baking Soda
The core component of dish soap is anionic surfactant, with a surfactant concentration even higher than that of regular laundry detergent, making it more effective at removing heavy oil stains. Most dish soaps also contain antimicrobial agents, which can effectively kill common bacteria on clothing such as E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. Compared to laundry detergent, dish soap is more cost-effective (500ml of dish soap costs about 3-5 yuan, while 500ml of laundry detergent costs about 15-30 yuan).
Usage Methods
- Machine Washing: Add 25-50ml of dish soap to 5L of water, resulting in a concentration of 0.5%-1%.
- Hand Washing: Add 25ml of dish soap to 5L of water, maintaining a concentration of 0.5%.
Drawbacks
- Dish soap is an alkaline substance containing strong surfactants, so long-term use can damage and fade clothing, especially cotton, linen, wool, and silk.
- Dish soap is typically high-foaming, which increases rinsing difficulty. Incomplete rinsing may leave residues that irritate the skin.
Baking Soda
Vodka, a natural alcoholic beverage, leverages ethanol’s properties of sterilization and oil dissolution to tackle specific stains like oil marks and cosmetic residues. Ethanol damages bacterial cell membranes, quickly killing common pathogens such as E. coli, and neutralizes organic odors like smoke and sweat. As a food-grade ingredient, vodka is gentler than chemical cleaners and safer to use.
Usage Methods
- Machine Washing: Add 50-100ml directly to the washing machine.
- Hand Washing: Use 15-30ml per basin (soak clothes for 15 minutes).
- Stubborn Oil Stains: Dilute vodka with water at a 1:1 ratio, apply to the stain, let sit for 5 minutes, then rinse.
Drawbacks
- Limited stain-removing power: Struggles with protein-based stains (e.g., blood, milk).
- Flammability: Ethanol is flammable—keep away from open flames and avoid using in dryers.
- Higher cost: More expensive than regular laundry detergent.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a strong oxidizing agent widely used for laundry bleaching and deep cleaning, particularly effective for stubborn stains or garments requiring sterilization.
It boasts powerful stain-removing capabilities, capable of oxidizing and decomposing pigments in blood, tea, and red wine stains—especially effective for yellowed garments. It also exhibits strong bactericidal and disinfectant properties, damaging the cell membranes of bacteria and fungi to kill them. Its decomposition products are only water and oxygen, making it safer than chlorine-based bleaches.
Usage Methods
- Machine Washing: Add 100-150ml (about 1/3 cup) of 3% hydrogen peroxide to the washing machine.
- Hand Washing: Soak clothes in 500ml of water mixed with 15ml of 3% hydrogen peroxide for 15 minutes.
- Stubborn Stains: Apply 3% hydrogen peroxide directly to the stain, let sit for 5-10 minutes (do not exceed 15 minutes to prevent fiber embrittlement), then scrub.
Drawbacks
- May harden and fade protein fiber garments such as silk, wool, and cashmere.
- Irritating; incomplete rinsing may leave residues that cause a mild burning sensation on the skin.
Note: Do not mix with chlorine-based bleaches (e.g., 84 Disinfectant), as this will produce toxic gases.
Shampoo
Shampoo, containing surfactants, hair-conditioning ingredients, and pH adjusters, can serve as a temporary laundry aid, particularly suitable for handling light stains or delicate fabrics. Its surfactants break down weakly acidic stains like hair oils and sebum. Ingredients such as silicone oil and plant extracts adhere to fibers, reducing friction and leaving washed clothes softer.
Usage Methods
Machine Washing: Add 20-30ml of shampoo (about half a cap) to 5L of water to replace laundry detergent.
Hand Washing: Dilute 10-15ml of shampoo in water and gently rub the garment.
Drawbacks
Shampoo has a lower surfactant concentration, making it less effective on heavy oil stains.
Residual hair-conditioning ingredients (e.g., silicone oil) may leave an oily residue if not thoroughly rinsed.
Body Wash
Body wash, containing surfactants, humectants, and mild pH adjusters, can serve as a temporary laundry aid. Its low irritation, moisturizing properties, and weakly acidic/neutral formulation make it particularly suitable for handling light stains (sweat, sebum, hairspray) or delicate fabrics.
With a pH of 5-7—close to the skin’s natural level—it is gentle enough for intimate garments. Ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid adhere to fibers, forming a moisturizing film that reduces friction and pilling (especially beneficial for cotton, linen, and knitwear).
Usage Methods
- Machine Washing: Add 15-25ml of body wash (about 1/3 of a cap) to 5L of water as a detergent substitute.
- Hand Washing: Dilute 5-10ml in water and gently rub the garment.
Drawbacks
- Body wash has a surfactant concentration of less than 10%, making it less effective at removing heavy oil stains.
- Humectants like glycerin may leave an oily residue if not thoroughly rinsed.
Ozone Laundry
If traditional laundry methods never quite meet your high standards, consider trying ozone water for laundry.
Ozone is a recognized broad-spectrum, highly effective disinfectant and bleach. It forms when an oxygen molecule carries an extra oxygen atom, giving it strong oxidizing properties.
The Oshiner Ozone Laundry System fully dissolves ozone in water to produce ozone water. Leveraging this strong oxidizing power, ozone water oxidizes and decomposes stains adhering to fabric fibers. Moreover, ozone’s sterilization speed is 600-3000 times faster than chlorine, making it effective against almost all bacteria and microorganisms.
Beyond that, ozone water also deodorizes, bleaches, and breaks down chemical residues, allowing you to achieve various laundry goals without relying on detergents, disinfectants, or bleaches.
The entire ozone laundry process relies on oxygen atoms: some are consumed, while the remaining reform into oxygen, leaving no residues—truly an environmentally friendly laundry method.
How to install
The installation of the Ozone Laundry System is very straightforward. First, secure it approximately 20 cm above the washing machine. Next, connect the faucet to its water inlet, and then link the machine’s water outlet to the washing machine.
When the washing machine begins to fill with water, the system will automatically activate to generate ozone-infused water, which then flows into the washing machine. When the washing machine stops filling, the system will enter a sleep mode, requiring no manual operation.