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Six Ways to Clean Your Laundry, Naturally

Six Ways to Clean Your Laundry, Naturally

Did you know that simply by doing laundry, you are polluting your indoor air? Because of poor laundry room ventilation and harmful ingredients in your laundry products, that clean laundry smell comes at a price.

What’s Lurking In Your Laundry Detergents & Softeners?

So, what’s in your laundry detergents and softeners?

A University of Washington study on air contaminants from consumer goods detected between 18 and 20 chemicals in four laundry products – including likely carcinogens, developmental toxins, and allergens.

It’s a troubling thought, isn’t it? Doing laundry pollutes your air.

Relax though because you can clean your laundry without dirtying your air.

Six steps to cleaner laundry and indoor air; all natural laundry products

1. Try vinegar instead of fabric softener

Instead of liquid fabric softener add 1/2 cup white vinegar to your laundry final rinse. Many washers have a special rinse cycle setting that you can use.

2. Ditch your dryer sheets

Ditch the dryer sheets that release harmful Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in favor of less toxic alternatives. Dryer sheet chemicals adhere to your laundry AND filter into the air.

See what you think of these alternatives:

  • Wool dryer balls – You can either make your own or buy them. These 100% wool dryer balls naturally soften your laundry in the dryer. If you like scented laundry, use a drop or two of your favorite essential oil like lavender on the dryer balls. The only downside to using the balls is the noise which, not surprisingly, sounds like you put several tennis balls into your dryer.
    • Feeling crafty? Check out this YouTube video on how to make your own dryer balls. It’s not a bad project. Don’t get the washable wool because it won’t work right. YouTube has lots of videos on how to make dryer balls, but the three-minute version should tell you what you need to know.
    • To get wool dryer balls, go to Pure Living Space to find 100% wool dryer balls. They are reusable and last a while.
  • Use a fabric swatch and add a drop or two of your favorite essential oil. While this will not soften your clothes, it will add a pleasant fragrance and will be quieter than the dryer balls.

3. Opt for a “clean” laundry detergent

Try a laundry detergent that is healthier for you and the environment. These are highly rated and tested:

4. Make your own laundry detergent

You can always make your own laundry detergent. Here’s a recipe for an easy and clean detergent.

  • 1 bar (4 oz) Castile Soap finely grated
  • 1 cup Borax
  • 1 cup Washing Soda
  • Mix and use 1/4 cup per load
  • A note about Borax: some people have concerns about Borax causing skin irritation, but it IS safe to use. It’s true that if you do hand wash with Borax, it may irritate your skin. This effect is due to Borax changing the water’s pH, so as long as you are not doing hand laundry, you can use Borax without harming your skin or releasing harmful VOCs. With it, your laundry will be bright and clean.

5. Ventilate your laundry room

Do your best to improve ventilation in your laundry room. Hot water causes the water disinfectant pollutants to vaporize creating significant VOCs.

How does this happen?

Your city water has disinfectants to keep your water safe, and when heated and sprayed, these disinfectants can easily vaporize. This happens in the shower, bath, dishwasher and laundry primarily. Whole house water filtration systems do not remove these disinfectants, so your best bet is to use cooler water and/or ventilate your laundry room well.

Another way to tackle this problem is to use an air cleaner that is specially designed to clean up VOCs including the ones created by vaporized disinfectants.

6. Leave the lid open

Make a habit of propping open the washing machine lid to allow the inside to dry out to prevent mildew growth. 

What’s Next?

Now you have ideas for all natural laundry products and you know how to ventilate your laundry room. What will you tackle first?

Want more information on safe, all natural products? Check out our all natural laundry products.

Posted on May 29, 2015
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