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Biodegradable detergent powder uses all-natural products that are mild to the skin and clothes and, in addition, are eco-friendly. In contrast, commercial detergent powder contains chemicals such as optical brighteners, dyes, and artificial fragrances that can sometimes irritate the skin.

You only need to purchase the following materials:

• 1 kilo sodium sulfate

• 200 g coconut powder

• 6 ml bilimbi fruit (kamias) extract

• 10 g blue speckles

• 120 ml fragrance (kalamansi scent)

• 5 g sodiumtripolyphospate (STPP)

Most of the materials for the detergent-making powder are available locally

Most of the materials needed to make biodegradable detergent powder are imported from Malaysia, China, and India. However, you can also buy them locally from soap-suppliers stores in Divisoria, Manila. Magic Ultra is available from ESF Cakes and Bread House.

You can produce the kamias extract by fermenting 1 kilo of the bilimbi fruit in a jar with 2 tablespoons of salt. After 24 hours, get the extract, strain it, then transfer it to another container. It will be then ready for use.

1. The base material of Magic Ultra being coconut, it serves as the foaming ingredient of the detergent.

2. Blue speckles serve as the bleaching agent. It has whitening components such as the sodium sulfate and sodium berborate.

3. The kamias extract serves as a stain remover and also helps whiten your clothes.

4. The kalamansi scent is needed to give the detergent a natural scent.

Dos and Don’ts

1. Never use glass bottles to ferment kamias extract. The acid of kamias may cause the bottle to explode when opened. The use of plastic containers is recommended.

2. Use dark-colored reagent bottles in order to dissipate the fragrance. To avoid contamination, do not use plastic bottles.

3. Use gloves for protection while making the detergent powder.

4. Keep everything away from children’s reach.

5. Be sure to measure all the ingredients accurately.

6. Seal your finished product well.

PROCEDURE

To start making the detergent powder, prepare a mixing bowl and measure all the materials. Mix the sodium sulfate, the Magic Ultra, and the coconut powder in the bowl until it becomes powdery. Once powdery, add to the mix the STPP along with the kamias extract and the kalamansi fragrance. Mix carefully, then add the blue speckles. Once the materials are mixed well, pack the mixture and label the powder. You may pack them in 250g-, 500g-, or 1kg- packs. You can also put a powder scoop inside the pack as a value-added item. The total yield of this project is 1,750 g or 1.75 kg.

To determine the selling price of your biodegradable detergent powder, compute first your total production cost by getting the cost of the materials you used for this project. Add to the total cost a certain percentage for your desired markup. Divide the sum with the total yield to get your selling price per pack. If you are going to the product at home and in limited amounts, it is recommended that you add a 100 percent markup to the total production cost. If you plan to mass-produce the detergent, however, you may separately add a percentage for your overhead costs plus your profit margin.

Along with word-of-mouth from satisfied users, giving out trial packs is still the best marketing strategy for this small-scale business. It is therefore advisable to give sample of trial packs to your friends and relatives so they can assess and evaluate your product before you start selling them.

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