Are you ready to swap out the current products in your laundry room for something less toxic, but you aren’t sure how to start?
Whether you want the simplicity of just ordering and using a ready-made product or you like to DIY, you can reduce the toxins that are sticking to your laundry and affecting you all day long.
DIY Solutions
I made my own laundry soap for several years, and this is very close to (if not exactly) the recipe I used. It handled cattle chore clothes just fine, but some fabrics did hold onto odors and would need to be stripped after a year or two.
DIY Liquid Laundry Soap
Ingredients:
2 cups borax
2 cups washing soda
Water
Instructions:
On the stovetop, boil one quart of water.
Grate enough bar soap to yield 2 cups.
Add the soap into the boiling water and stir until it’s melted.
In a container large enough to hold at least a few gallons (I used a 5 gallon pail with a lid), pour the melted soap mixture and add the borax and washing soda, stirring until combined.
Add 2 gallons of water (works better if it’s warm/hot) to the mix and stir until combined.
Note:
This WILL gel/separate, but it’s simple to remix before use. You can divide it into smaller container that you can shake, or I just left a long-handled spoon in the pail and stirred before each use.
Usage:
I used about ¼ c. per load in an old-style top-load washing machine. You may be able to use less in newer machines.
DIY Powder Laundry Soap
(Note: I have not personally tried this, but it’s essentially the same as the liquid soap I used, so if you prefer powder, I would think that this would work very similarly.)
Ingredients:
1 bar soap
1 c. washing soda
1 c. borax
Directions:
Finely grate bar soap or break into chunks and powder it in a food processor.
Combine with washing soda and borax in an airtight container.
Usage:
Use 1 Tbs. per regular load or 2 Tbs. for large or heavily soiled loads.
DIY Stain Spray
Ingredients:
¼ c. castille soap (make sure it's unscented)
¼ c. vegetable glycerin
1 Tbs. baking soda
20 drops Lemon essential oil (code SHAREYL will get you 10% off your first order)
Directions:
Combine ingredients in spray bottle and swirl or shake to combine.
To Use:
Spray generously onto stained fabric before washing.
Note:
You may want to spot test this if using on white or very light fabrics due to the yellow color of the essential oil. I have not had any discoloring issues, but I own very little that’s white.
DIY Fabric Softener
Ingredients:
⅛ c. high proof vodka or Everclear (optional)
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in 16 oz. glass bottle and shake/swirl to combine before each use.
Ready-to-Use Resources
Laundry Detergent:
Thieves Laundry Detergent – use code “SHAREYL” for a 10% discount on your first order
Earthley Laundry Detergent – a clean powder with clean, minimal ingredients
Pure Haven – several clean laundry products available, including liquid and powder detergents and a stain remover and deodorizer
Wool Dryer Balls:
Earthley Wool Dryer Ball Set – pack of 6 made from organic wool
Fairchild Farm & Mercantile – pack of 3 handmade by someone I know with wool from her own sheep
Amazon Premium Wool Dryer Balls – pack of 6 made from organic New Zealand wool
Ready to Continue Your Non-Toxic Transformation?
If this list of swaps is helpful and you want to continue your non-toxic journey, join the Toxic Home Transformation. We detoxify a different area of our lives each month – including learning why it's important, ingredients to watch for, potential pitfalls, and resources for healthier swaps.
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