How Do You Make Vegan Laundry Detergent?
We get asked all the time, how do you make vegan laundry detergent? From our laundry detergent pods to our laundry detergent sheets and even our new liquid formula, all our laundry detergents at Clean People are cruelty-free.
Honestly, this should be the standard across the laundry detergent industry. But it’s not always that simple. A lot of brands sneak animal-derived ingredients into their formulas, and consumers don’t even know it.
The good news is you don’t have to stress about this when you shop here with us. From our laundry pods vs liquid to our laundry sheets made in USA, our products are better for you, better for the planet, and better for all that inhabit it!
We’ll walk you through how to make vegan laundry detergent below so you can see what goes into the process. In the meantime, stock up on the best vegan laundry detergent online!
“I have used the pods for a couple of years. I just ordered more. Great price as well as good for the environment. They work well. No complaints.” – Judy
“So easy. No fuss. Work great. NOT made in China, either!” – Barbara
“I was so glad to find a product that would eliminate large plastic bottles and also keep my clothes clean! I tried another brand and was not as pleased, but now I’m hooked on Clean People!” – Victoria
Is Laundry Detergent Vegan?
You’d think all laundry detergents are vegan, but that’s not the case. A lot of brands incorporate ingredients like tallow-based surfactants or enzymes that originally came from animal sources.
But here’s what we really have a problem with. A lot of brands – which use vegan ingredients – still test their laundry detergents on animals, which rules them out of the vegan or cruelty-free category.
So, you really need to do your due diligence about the laundry detergent ingredients and the manufacturing processes brands implement if you really care about the critters we share this world with.
This is why a lot of people end up trying to learn how to make vegan laundry detergent themselves. So, how do you make vegan laundry detergent?
How Do You Make Vegan Laundry Detergent?
Making vegan laundry detergent is actually pretty straightforward. You just have to know which animal-derived ingredients tend to make their way into detergent and find better substitutes for them. We’ll walk you through it below.
Plant-Based Surfactants as the Cleaning Base
Every detergent needs a surfactant. That’s what actually loosens dirt and lifts oils from fabric. This usually comes from coconut, corn, or sugar-derived surfactants like lauryl glucoside or cocamidopropyl betaine in a vegan formula.
All of these are gentle on fabric, break down well in water, and bring the necessary cleaning strength without exploiting animals at any step of the process.
Use Essential Oils for Scent
You don’t have to add scent to laundry detergent. For instance, a lot of our formulas here at Clean People are unscented.
But if you do want to add fragrance to your laundry detergent, you can’t go wrong with essential oils. All you need are a few drops of lavender, citrus, or eucalyptus oil. Don’t overdo it, or your clean clothes will smell a little overpowering!
Pick a Vegan-Friendly Binder or Liquid Carrier
A lot of people turn to pods and sheets as a traditional laundry detergent substitute. They’re way more convenient since you don’t have to measure anything out. But you’ll need a binder for this, and a lot of binding agents are animal-derived. Stick with either PVA or plant starches.
As for liquid formulas, you can’t go wrong with vegetable glycerin or plant-derived glycols as your carrier. This will keep the texture smooth and evenly mixed.
Formula Testing for Cleaning Power, Dissolving, and Safety
It’s not enough to just make a vegan laundry detergent. It has to actually do its job of cleaning your clothes well! That means you need to assess how well it removes oils, dissolves in different water temperatures, and rinses from fabric.
This might involve doing a small batch test, washing a shirt or something by hand, one that you don’t care about, of course. This way, you can confirm the surfactant levels, pH, and thickness are dialed in and doing their jobs before you run a full load in your washing machine.
Packaging in Sustainable/Eco-Friendly Materials
Vegan formulas are great, but why not take things a step further and package your DIY detergent in low-waste or recyclable packaging? This is what we do here at Clean People. Lightweight cartons, compostable bags, or recyclable bottles are all great options.
Get the Best Vegan Laundry Detergent at Clean People!
Clean People makes it easy to stick with vegan laundry products without giving up cleaning power. Every formula is built around vegan surfactants and safer, straightforward ingredients that work well on everyday laundry.
You never find animal-derived additives or complicated chemical blends on the ingredients list. Just reliable cleaners that dissolve smoothly and rinse out clean. The strips, pods, and liquids all handle regular loads and prove that vegan formulas work just as well as mainstream options.
Here are some ingredients we refuse to use:
- SLS
- SLES
- Optical Brighteners
- Parabens
- Phosphates
- Synthetic Dyes
- Chlorine
Your order is backed by our 30-day satisfaction guarantee, too. All our laundry detergents work across washing machine types, too – high-efficiency (HE), top loaders, front loaders, you name it. Order now and see how much better vegan formulas can perform!
Final Words on How to Make Vegan Laundry Detergent
So, how do you make vegan laundry detergent? It’s as simple as swapping out tallow-based surfactants or enzymes for plant-based alternatives. We hope this guide has left you with a clear understanding of how surfactants, binders, and fragrances work.
Our blog has additional resources on how to use laundry pods, sheets, or liquid effectively if you want to learn more. But there’s no need to bother with a DIY formula. You can upgrade laundry day for not just your family but the entire planet at Clean People.
Explore vegan laundry detergents and see what keeps customers coming back for more!
