Most people who convert to eco-friendly laundry detergent probably wouldn’t even notice the difference from their conventional brand. The products are similar; available in liquid, powder, and concentrated formulas, and the price difference is basically non-existent (due to the smaller amounts of detergent used per load).
There is however one big difference...earth friendly detergent is, well, earth friendly. And, I'm ALWAYS looking for ways to be a better friend to this beautiful earth.
So, when it comes to getting clothes cleaned the green way, here are just a few of the many options available to you:
Soap Nuts
Soap nuts might be new on the market but they’ve have been a staple in South Asian communities for many centuries. The soap nut is the dried fruit of the Ritha (Sapindus mukorrosi) tree, a tropical, deciduous tree native to Asia. When dried soap nuts are exposed to water, they release saponins which act as a natural surfactant, reducing surface tension and allowing dirt and oils to detach from clothing.
Soap nuts are a product of nature and are completely pure, containing no additives, fragrances, or chemicals. They also have antimicrobial properties and are 100% biodegradable.
To use soap nuts, simply place 2-3 whole nuts in a re-usable cotton bag and add it to the washing machine. When used in cold water cycles, soap nuts can be reused 4-5 times, but only 2-3 times when used in warm water washes. Between washes, remove nuts from the cotton bag and let air dry. These natural gems can be purchased at most health food stores and on many websites.
Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent
EcoMax is a family owned Canadian company, with its operation just over an hour from where I live (talk about local). The detergents are made with 100% plant ingredients as well as therapeutic grade essential oils. The manufacturing facility is powered with 100% green electricity from Bullfrog Power, they do NOT test on animals, and all of their ingredients are sourced form renewable, sustainable resources. Well done.
Earth Friendly Products (Canada and U.S) has developed a line of laundry products called Ecos. This detergent is 100% biodegradable, contains no chlorine, petroleum, or phosphates, and is made from sustainable ingredients. Earth Friendly Products is a family owned company that aims to do business in a “socially responsible way that safeguards the earth.” What more could we ask for?
(Buyer Beware: Watch out for conventional companies who are trying to hop on the green bandwagon with their own "natural" products. Natural can leave a lot to be desired. Always read the ingredients and make sure that they didn't just add a drop of lavender to their usual toxic recipe and call it "earth friendly".
Make Your Own Detergent
If none of the previous options sound appealing, don't be afraid to make your own detergent! There a number of ways to do this but the most popular method is to grind together the following ingredients in a food processor then add two tablespoons of the mixture to each load of laundry.
Vinegar is another great, inexpensive ingredient to add to laundry cycles to get clothes clean, bright, and somehow,not even remotely smelling of vinegar! Add half a cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle and it can act as a fabric softener, lint reducer, and even eliminate excess detergent residue on clothing. (Note: vinegar should never be mixed with bleach as the fumes produced can be toxic)
Whichever option you decide on, remember that this small change can have a big impact on your body, local water sources, and the planet!
There is however one big difference...earth friendly detergent is, well, earth friendly. And, I'm ALWAYS looking for ways to be a better friend to this beautiful earth.
So, when it comes to getting clothes cleaned the green way, here are just a few of the many options available to you:
Soap Nuts
Soap nuts might be new on the market but they’ve have been a staple in South Asian communities for many centuries. The soap nut is the dried fruit of the Ritha (Sapindus mukorrosi) tree, a tropical, deciduous tree native to Asia. When dried soap nuts are exposed to water, they release saponins which act as a natural surfactant, reducing surface tension and allowing dirt and oils to detach from clothing.
Soap nuts are a product of nature and are completely pure, containing no additives, fragrances, or chemicals. They also have antimicrobial properties and are 100% biodegradable.
To use soap nuts, simply place 2-3 whole nuts in a re-usable cotton bag and add it to the washing machine. When used in cold water cycles, soap nuts can be reused 4-5 times, but only 2-3 times when used in warm water washes. Between washes, remove nuts from the cotton bag and let air dry. These natural gems can be purchased at most health food stores and on many websites.
Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent
EcoMax is a family owned Canadian company, with its operation just over an hour from where I live (talk about local). The detergents are made with 100% plant ingredients as well as therapeutic grade essential oils. The manufacturing facility is powered with 100% green electricity from Bullfrog Power, they do NOT test on animals, and all of their ingredients are sourced form renewable, sustainable resources. Well done.
Earth Friendly Products (Canada and U.S) has developed a line of laundry products called Ecos. This detergent is 100% biodegradable, contains no chlorine, petroleum, or phosphates, and is made from sustainable ingredients. Earth Friendly Products is a family owned company that aims to do business in a “socially responsible way that safeguards the earth.” What more could we ask for?
(Buyer Beware: Watch out for conventional companies who are trying to hop on the green bandwagon with their own "natural" products. Natural can leave a lot to be desired. Always read the ingredients and make sure that they didn't just add a drop of lavender to their usual toxic recipe and call it "earth friendly".
Make Your Own Detergent
If none of the previous options sound appealing, don't be afraid to make your own detergent! There a number of ways to do this but the most popular method is to grind together the following ingredients in a food processor then add two tablespoons of the mixture to each load of laundry.
- 1 bar of good quality soap (Dr. Bronner’s)
- 1 cup washing soda (sodium carbonate)
- 1 cup baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
- 1 cup Borax (hydrated sodium borate)
Vinegar is another great, inexpensive ingredient to add to laundry cycles to get clothes clean, bright, and somehow,not even remotely smelling of vinegar! Add half a cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle and it can act as a fabric softener, lint reducer, and even eliminate excess detergent residue on clothing. (Note: vinegar should never be mixed with bleach as the fumes produced can be toxic)
Whichever option you decide on, remember that this small change can have a big impact on your body, local water sources, and the planet!
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