Can I Use Shampoo as Laundry Detergent? A Detailed Guide

Have you ever run out of laundry detergent and wondered if you could just use shampoo instead? With a few adjustments, shampoo can work in a pinch when doing laundry. However, it may not get your clothes as clean as regular detergent.

In this detailed guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about can i use shampoo as laundry detergent, including:

• The pros and cons of using shampoo to wash clothes
• What types of shampoo work best
• How to use shampoo to handwash or machine wash clothes
• Tips for getting clean laundry without detergent
• Frequently asked questions

So if you’ve run out of detergent or just want to try an emergency laundry detergent alternative, keep reading to learn if shampoo is a good substitute!

Can I Use Shampoo as Laundry Detergent?

The short answer is yes, you can use shampoo to wash your laundry. In a pinch, mild shampoo combined with some elbow grease can get your clothes clean.

Shampoo contains some of the same basic ingredients as laundry detergent, mainly surfactants and cleansing agents. When agitated in water, these create suds that help lift dirt, oils, and other grime from fabric.

So while shampoo isn’t formulated specifically for laundry like detergents are, it can still break down and remove many common soils in a wash.

However, there are some downsides to wash clothes with shampoo that you should consider:

The Pros

• Works in a laundry emergency if you’ve run out of detergent
• Gets light to moderately soiled clothes reasonably clean
• It’s gentle on delicate fabrics
• Can treat certain stains
• Can freshen up clothes quickly
• A good option for handwashing small loads

The Cons

• Doesn’t clean as thoroughly as regular detergent
• Harder to fully rinse out of fabrics
• Not designed to tackle heavy soil, grease, or set-in stains
• Creates less suds/cleaning action than laundry products
• Can leave behind residue that shortens fabric life
• Higher cost per wash than detergent

So while using shampoo in the washing machine or sink can work, it may take more effort to get laundry truly clean. You’ll likely need to use more amount of shampoo, do multiple runs, and increase agitation.

For best results, shampoo is better suited for handwashing lightly soiled items. And you generally want to stick to mild formulations marked for frequent use.

Next, we’ll look at the types of shampoos that work well for DIY laundry.

What Type of Shampoo Works Best for Washing Clothes?

Not all shampoos are created equal when it comes to using them as laundry wash.

To avoid problems, stick with gentle shampoo free of harsh ingredients. Look for options specifically labeled:

• Baby shampoo
• Sensitive skin shampoo
• Daily/frequent use of shampoo
• Cleansing conditioners or “co-washes”
• 2-in-1 shampoo & conditioners
• Castile or other vegetable-oil-based soap

These shampoos will be better suited for laundry duty because they are:

• Very mild and gentle
• Designed for frequent body contact
• Less likely to contain frizz-causing ingredients
• Low-foaming to avoid residue
• Formulated to rinse cleaner

You also want to avoid anti-dandruff, colored hair, and volumizing shampoos. They can leave unwanted residues behind that build up on fabric over time.

Liquid shampoos tend to add more cleaning power than bars. But there are some bar soaps, like Ivory or Castile, that can work well too.

Finally, never use a 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner meant for your hair. The conditioners are not suitable for laundry and will make fabrics feel greasy.

Now let’s go over how to best use shampoo for washing your clothes by hand or machine.

How Should You Use Shampoo to Wash Clothes?

You can use liquid shampoo in either a washing machine or a filled sink when you need an emergency laundry solution. But there are some important things to know before adding shampoo to a load:

For machine washing:

• Use a mild, preferably liquid, shampoo
• Limit loads to light or moderately soiled items
• Use the gentler/delicate cycle setting
• Add more shampoo than you would detergent
• Use cold water to avoid excess suds
• Add an extra rinse cycle
• Clean the washing machine afterward to prevent buildup

For handwashing:

• Fill sink/bucket with cool water
• Use 2-4 tsp gentle shampoo per gallon of water
• Let heavily soiled clothes soak first
• Wash one or two items at a time
• Agitate by hand for a few minutes
• Rinse until water runs clear
• Repeat as needed for stubborn stains/soil

Here are more details on doing laundry successfully with shampoo:

Washing Machine Method

To use shampoo in a top- or front-loading washing machine:

1. Start by running an empty rinse cycle. This avoids any detergent residue affecting your shampoo wash.
2. Add your laundry to the drum before pouring in any shampoo.
3. Select a delicate or gentle cycle setting using cooler water. This will create fewer suds you then need to rinse out.
4. Pour 2-3 ounces (or a little less than 1/4 cup) of mild shampoo directly into the drum. This equals about 1-2 tablespoons per medium load.
5. Let the machine run its full wash cycle. But expect less bubbly activity than with detergent.
6. When the cycle finishes, check clothes over. If any visible stains remain, let them soak in more shampoo solution. Hand wash problem areas then rerun the rinse cycle before drying.
7. Run 1-2 extra rinse cycles. Agitate clothes by hand while rinsing to help remove more lather.
8. Wipe out the washer with a microfiber cloth and white vinegar or fresh cleaner before washing regular loads again. This prevents shampoo buildup and suds issues down the line.

Tip: For better stain fighting with shampoo, try adding a teaspoon of borax or washing soda to the machine drum as a laundry booster before washing.

Handwashing Technique

To wash clothes manually with shampoo:

1. Fill a sink, bucket, or tub with 2-3 gallons of cool or lukewarm water. Very hot water causes excessive shampoo foaming.
2. Add 2 teaspoons (for a sink/bucket) or 1/4 cup (for a tub) of mild liquid shampoo. Stir briefly to distribute.
3. For heavily soiled clothes, let them soak for 10-20 minutes before washing to loosen embedded grime.
4. Swish just 1-2 pieces of clothing at a time through the sudsy water. Let them soak another 2-3 minutes.
5. Agitate each garment for 30 seconds up and down like you would hand soap. Focus on visibly stained areas.
6. Once washed, lift clothes out and squeeze suds back into the basin. Do not wring tightly.
7. Thoroughly rinse items under running water until it run clear and no lather remains.
8. If needed, wash and rinse a second time targeting any lingering stains with the shampoo directly.
9. Hang or lay flat to dry. Avoid the dryer until clothes are soap-residue-free.
10. Dump used shampoo water down the drain and wipe out the wash basin. Rinse away any lingering soap scum and residue.

While handwashing takes more work, you can better concentrate shampoo on soiled areas. Just be prepared for the process to take 10-15 minutes per garment or piece of laundry.

Tips for Getting Clean Laundry Without Detergent: Laundry Detergent Alternatives

Besides substituting shampoo when you’re out of laundry detergent, there are a few other tricks to getting clothes clean without regular washer liquids or powders:

• Use a glycerin soap bar like Ivory for handwashing small loads
• Make a paste of washing soda, Borax, and water to scrub stains
• Try a small amount of hair conditioner to soften fabrics
• Spot treat grease/oils with dishwashing liquid first
• Tackle musty smells with white vinegar in the rinse
• Sprinkle baking soda directly on clothes to boost cleaning
• Use lemon juice and set items in the sun to brighten dingy laundry
• Make a DIY liquid detergent to keep as an emergency backup

While not perfect substitutes for detergent made specifically for laundry, these alternatives can help in a pinch. Just don’t expect miracles on heavily soiled items.

Combining a few of these with shampoo should let you wash the majority of average laundry loads reasonably well.

Frequently Asked Questions About Using Shampoo for Laundry

Before you grab that bottle of Head & Shoulders to start sudsing up dirty clothes, read through these common FAQs. Knowing the answers will help ensure you use shampoo successfully for DIY laundry:

Is it safe to use shampoo in a washing machine?

Yes, adding a small amount of mild liquid or even bar shampoo to a wash cycle is perfectly safe for machines. Just be careful not to over suds the drum. Stick to cooler water temps and the delicate cycle. Clean out any shampoo residue thoroughly after washing clothes.

How much shampoo should you put in a load of laundry?

For a standard washer, aim for 2-3 ounces or about 1/4 cup (4-6 tablespoons) of gentle shampoo. More is not better, as it won’t make clothes cleaner but will require extra effort rinsing away lather. Adjust amounts based on your machine’s size and load level.

Can you wash white clothes with shampoo?

Yes, you can safely wash white garments with a mildly formulated shampoo. But as with any makeshift laundry method, expect some dinginess if the clothes are heavily soiled. For best results, use shampoo to handwash or delicately machine wash whites needing a refresh. Rinse extremely thoroughly.

What can I use if I don’t have any laundry detergent or shampoo?

Good backup options include Castile bar soap, washing soda, borax, lemon juice, hair conditioner diluted in water, or a small amount of dish soap. While not as effective at cleaning or brightening, these pantry staples can wash laundry in an emergency.

Will shampoo clean grease and oil stains?

Not usually. Shampoo alone often struggles against these types of heavy soils. Try dish soap first on any oily marks or lipstick spots. Baby wipes also help lift grease. Then do your regular shampoo wash targeting the stain remnants specifically with added scrubbing.

Why does my washing machine make a loud noise using shampoo?

Excessive sudsing from overuse of shampoo or very hot water temps is most likely the cause. Stop the machine safely, advance the cycle, and see if agitation helps dissipate the foam. Otherwise, clothes likely need rewashing after fully rinsing the washer interior of bubbles.

Is there residue left behind when washing laundry with shampoo?

Yes, shampoos tend to leave more leftover buildup on fabric than detergents formulated for laundry. So take care to rinse clothes extra thoroughly. Then avoid wearing them again until machine washing normally with regular detergent. This cleans away any remaining shampoo film.

The Bottom Line – Can You Rely on Shampoo for Laundry?

While turning to that bottle of Pantene in your shower caddy can bail you out of a laundry emergency, shampoo is far from an effective total replacement for detergent. Clothes washed exclusively with a hair product will degrade and wear out much faster over time.

So ultimately view gentle shampoo as a backup option only for the occasional stain or handwash load using proper precautions. For any routine machine washing, stick with purpose-made laundry products to get garments truly clean.

We hope this guide gives you the confidence to safely tackle that unexpected pile of dirty clothes with shampoo when your detergent runs out. Just follow our tips to minimize any unwanted residue or rinsing issues down the line.

And next time during laundry day when you glance in your empty detergent bottle, make a note to grab extra at the store! Because even ivory soap flakes or dilute hair conditioners should not become your go-to washing solution week after week.