SELFMADE IVY DETERGENT FOR DARK LAUNDRY

All you need is one ingredient: ivy leaves.

I take responsibility for what flows out of my drain into the world.

Since the leaves of common ivy (Hedera helix) are green all year round, you can harvest them fresh at any time.
However, I also always keep a bag of dried leaves, from which I simply use a few more.
For washes at 40 degrees Celsius and above, you can use the leaves directly.
For each load, put about a handful of leaves, which you tear into small pieces just before washing, into a laundry bag or, for example, into a sock, which you tie with a knot.
Now place the bag directly into the washing machine with the laundry.
``` Adding a tablespoon of washing soda to the main wash compartment will enhance the washing results – especially if your water is very hard.

Tip: For wool and other animal fibers, use only the pure ivy leaves. Washing soda causes the fibers to swell too much.

Ivy washing solution:

You will need:

– a handful of fresh or slightly more dried ivy leaves
– 300 ml water
– 1 tbsp washing soda or 2 tbsp vinegar essence
– optional, if you are washing white laundry: 2-3 tsp oxygen bleach (sodium percarbonate)
– 1 large screw-top or canning jar

1. Tear the ivy leaves into small pieces and put them in the jar. Then pour the hot, but not boiling, water over them and seal the jar.

2. Let your solution steep for a few hours and then shake the jar. If some foam has formed, your solution is ready to use.

If only a little foam has formed, add a few more torn ivy leaves or extend the steeping time.

3. Now you can pour your ivy washing solution directly through a sieve into the main wash compartment of your washing machine. Optionally, add washing soda and/or oxygen bleach.
Now you can wash in an environmentally friendly way.

Tip: If your water is very hard, you can soften it by adding a splash of white vinegar to the fabric softener compartment. I love the natural scent of lavender in my laundry. I add a few drops of lavender essential oil to the fabric softener compartment.

Since common ivy leaves are green year-round, you can harvest them fresh at any time. However, I also always keep a bag of dried leaves on hand, from which I simply use a few more.
For washes at 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) and above, you can use the leaves directly. For each load, put about a handful of leaves, which you've just torn into small pieces, into a laundry bag or, for example, a sock, which you tie with a knot. Then place the bag directly into the washing machine with the laundry.
A tablespoon of washing soda in the main wash compartment will enhance the washing results—especially if your water is very hard.

Tip: For wool and other animal fibers, use only the leaves themselves. Washing soda causes the fibers to swell too much.

If you want to wash your laundry at low temperatures, first extract the saponins from the leaves and make an ivy washing solution:

You will need:

– a handful of fresh or slightly more dried ivy leaves
– 300 ml water
– 1 tbsp washing soda or 2 tbsp vinegar essence
– optional, if you are washing white laundry: 2-3 tsp oxygen bleach (sodium percarbonate)
– 1 large screw-top or canning jar

1. Tear the ivy leaves into small pieces and put them in the jar. Then pour the hot, but not boiling, water over them and seal the jar.

2. Let your solution steep for a few hours and then shake the jar. If some foam forms, your solution is ready to use.
If only a little foam has formed, add a few more small, torn ivy leaves or extend the application time.

3. Now you can pour your ivy laundry solution directly through a sieve into the main wash compartment of your washing machine. Optionally, add washing soda and/or oxygen bleach.
Now you can wash in an eco-friendly way. The ivy leaves can go in the compost or back on the plant.

Tip: If your water is very hard, you can soften it by adding a splash of white vinegar to the fabric softener compartment. I love the natural scent of lavender in my laundry. I add a few drops of lavender essential oil to the fabric softener compartment.
Enjoy washing with your homemade ivy laundry detergent—the Earth's waters will thank you!

🌿 A big THANK YOU to Ann-Kristin Schablowky, who inspired me to wash my laundry with ivy!