Going Green with Clean Clothes: A Comprehensive Guide to the Best Natural Laundry Detergents
Why Natural Laundry Detergents Are a Gamechanger
Have you ever stopped to think about what's really in your laundry detergent? Chances are, the answer is no.
But the truth is that many traditional laundry detergents contain harsh chemicals that can be harmful to both your health and the environment. This is where natural laundry detergents come in.
Natural laundry detergents are made with plant-based ingredients and free from artificial fragrances, dyes, and other harmful chemicals. By using natural laundry detergents, you'll not only be protecting yourself and your family from exposure to potentially hazardous substances but also helping to reduce your impact on the environment.
Switching to natural laundry detergents has a host of benefits beyond just being better for your health and the planet. These products are often gentler on fabrics, which means they can extend the life of your clothing.
They're also less likely to cause skin irritations or allergic reactions for those with sensitive skin. In addition, natural laundry detergents can help improve air quality in your home by reducing the amount of synthetic fragrances that linger after washing clothes.
And because many of these products are biodegradable or come in recyclable packaging, they're a more sustainable choice overall. So if you're looking for a way to improve both your health and environmental impact without sacrificing cleanliness, making the switch to natural laundry detergents is definitely worth considering.
Top Natural Laundry Detergents on the Market
If you're looking to make the switch to natural laundry detergents, there are many great options available on the market today. These eco-friendly and non-toxic formulas offer effective cleaning power while also being gentle on your skin and the environment.
Seventh Generation Natural Laundry Detergent
One of the most popular natural laundry detergent brands is Seventh Generation. This brand offers a range of formulas including liquid, powder, and single-dose packs that use plant-based ingredients like enzymes and essential oils to effectively lift stains and odors. Their free & clear formula is especially popular for those with sensitive skin or allergies.
Molly's Suds Laundry Powder
Molly's Suds Laundry Powder is another top contender in the natural laundry detergent market. It's made with just five simple ingredients including baking soda, sodium carbonate, and organic peppermint oil. This powder formula uses a unique blend of minerals to naturally soften water which helps boost its cleaning power.
Dropps Sensitive Skin Laundry Detergent Pods
Dropps is another great brand that offers both eco-friendly packaging and powerful cleaning action. Their sensitive skin formula uses plant-based enzymes to remove tough stains without irritating your skin. Plus, their innovative dissolvable pods are easy to use and eliminate messy measuring or spills.
Overall, there are many fantastic natural laundry detergent brands available on the market today. Whether you prefer a liquid or powder formula or have specific needs like sensitive skin or hard water issues, there's sure to be a natural option that meets your needs.
Ingredients to Look for in Natural Laundry Detergents
One of the many benefits of using natural laundry detergents is that they use a range of plant- and mineral-based ingredients instead of harsh chemicals. Here are some common natural ingredients found in laundry detergents, along with their benefits and properties:
Baking soda is a versatile ingredient that can be used for a variety of cleaning purposes, including as a laundry booster. It helps to neutralize odors and can also act as a gentle abrasive to help remove stains. Additionally, it can balance pH levels in the wash water and soften fabrics.
Vinegar is another multi-purpose ingredient that is often used in natural laundry detergents. It contains acetic acid, which has antibacterial properties that help to kill germs and remove odors.
It can also act as a fabric softener and help to remove stains. Vinegar works best when added during the rinse cycle rather than during washing.
Citric acid is naturally found in citrus fruits like lemons and limes, but it's also used as an ingredient in many natural laundry detergents. It serves as a water softener, helping to prevent mineral buildup on fabrics during washing. Additionally, it acts as a natural preservative, helping to keep your detergent fresh.
If you're looking for an all-natural alternative to traditional laundry detergent, soap nuts may be worth considering. These small berry-like fruits contain natural saponins that create soap-like suds when mixed with water. They're gentle enough for sensitive skin but effective at removing dirt and grime from clothes.
Overall, when shopping for natural laundry detergents or making your own, look for ingredients that are gentle yet effective at removing stains and odors while keeping fabrics soft. Experiment with different ingredients to find the perfect blend that works for you and your family.
DIY Natural Laundry Detergent Recipes
Make Your Own Natural Laundry Detergent
Making your own natural laundry detergent is a great way to save money while also ensuring that you know exactly what is going into your laundry. To make your own natural laundry detergent, you will need a few key ingredients: washing soda, borax, castile soap, and essential oils of your choice.
You will also need a large container with a lid (such as an old plastic bucket), a mixing bowl, and a grater. To begin the recipe, grate one bar of castile soap and add it to the mixing bowl.
Then add 1 cup of washing soda and 1 cup of borax to the mixing bowl and stir everything together until it is well combined. Next, add 20-30 drops of essential oils to the mixture (depending on how strong you want the scent to be) and stir again.
Transfer the mixture into your large container with a lid. Use about 1/4 cup of this natural laundry detergent for each load of laundry.
All-Natural Liquid Laundry Detergent
If you prefer liquid laundry detergent over powdered detergents, then this all-natural liquid laundry detergent recipe is perfect for you! This recipe uses just three ingredients: washing soda, castile soap bar or liquid soap, and water.
To begin making this all-natural liquid laundry detergent recipe, start by grating one bar of castile soap or using liquid castile soap if preferred (about 1 cup). Add the grated soap or liquid castile soap into a large pot with 10 cups of water.
Heat over medium heat until the grated soap melts/dissolves completely. Next up, add in 4 cups of washing soda into this solution while stirring constantly until it dissolves completely too.
Wait till the mixture cools down and then transfer it into a storage container. Use 1/4 - 1/2 cup of this liquid laundry detergent per load depending on the load size.
If you have tough stains that won't come out in the wash, don't worry! This natural stain remover recipe will give you the power you need to remove even the toughest of stains.
For this recipe, you'll need to mix 1 part hydrogen peroxide and 1 part castile soap together in a spray bottle. To use, simply spray the mixture onto the stain and let it sit for a few minutes before washing as normal.
For heavy-duty stains, like grease or blood, you can add baking soda to create a paste. Rub it gently on to the stain and allow it to sit for about an hour before washing with your natural laundry detergent.
How to Properly Use Natural Laundry Detergents
Tips on How to Properly Measure and Use Natural Laundry Detergents
When it comes to natural laundry detergents, it can be tempting to use more than the recommended amount in hopes of getting a better clean. However, using too much detergent can actually have the opposite effect and leave residue on your clothes. To properly measure natural laundry detergents, always follow the instructions on the package or use a measuring cup.
It's important to note that natural laundry detergents often have different consistency than traditional detergents, so they may require some shaking or mixing before use. This is because natural ingredients do not contain synthetic emulsifiers that keep ingredients evenly mixed like traditional chemical-based detergents.
Another tip for properly using natural laundry detergents is to pre-treat stains before washing. Many natural laundry detergents are effective at removing stains when used correctly but still require pre-treating for tougher stains.
Explanation on How to Adjust for Hard Water or Heavily Soiled Clothing
If you have hard water in your home, you may need to adjust how much detergent you use when doing laundry. Hard water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium which can bind with soap molecules and create a film that is difficult to rinse away.
To combat this issue, add white vinegar or baking soda during the rinse cycle as they help break down mineral build-up. For heavily soiled clothing, pre-soaking before washing can be helpful in removing dirt and stains.
You can soak clothes in warm water with added detergent for an hour before washing as usual. It's also important not to overload your washing machine when using natural laundry detergents as they may not produce as many suds as traditional chemical-based products.
Overloading will not allow enough space for clothes to move around freely, meaning they won't be cleaned properly. It's better to do multiple smaller loads than one large one.
