Yesterday, we talked about the five simple ways your family can go green today and number three on the list was by green cleaning your home. I received several questions asking how to make your own non toxic laundry cleaners that actually work. I wanted to share the ways that I keep our laundry super green and clean by using some great eco-friendly laundry cleaner recipes and also a handful of tricks too, read on to get started.
1. Bleach Alternative:
Whites should be white – however, it can be tough to get your whites, white and bright without bleach. There is an eco-friendly solution, give my bleach-free alternative a try.
What you will need:
- 1 Cup Hydrogen Peroxide
- 3 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
- 15 Cups Water
You can either add this directly to your whites in the washing machine or put it in a spray bottle to pre-treat your clothes before adding them to the wash.
2. Stain Treatments:
Stains are my least favorite part of doing laundry, so having a strain remover that works the first time is essential. Here are my two favorite stain treatments, one for grease stains, and one for harder to remove stains – such as blueberries.
What you will need:
- For Grease Stains:
- Chalk: Yes, it true, chalk is an excellent grease remover. Keep a stick or two in your laundry room and then rub it on any grease spots – the chalk will absorb the grease stains and it washes out of the clothing during the wash cycle.
- For Hard to Remove Stains
- Dish Soap + Glycerin: Give a mixture of equal parts dish soap and glyercin a try on those hard to remove stains. Simply apply the mixture to the stain, it works like a charm.
3. Natural Homemade Laundry Detergent:
There are many great recipes out there for making your own laundry detergent. In fact, I have been meaning to share a step-by-step tutorial on how to make the one that I use. (Look for an upcoming post!)
What you will need:
- Reusable Plastic Bucket
- 2 Cups Washing Soda
- 2 Cups Borax
- 2 Cups Baking Soda
- 1/4 Cup Dr. Bonner’s Castile Soap
You simply mix the washing soda, baking soda, Borax, and Dr. Bonner’s Castile Soap. You have to continually stir the mixture until you get a moist detergent – just don’t stop stirring too quickly or you will be left with a large, hard clump that will be impossible to use. It should crumble easily.
Do you have your own favorite non-toxic homemade laundry cleaners?
I would love to hear your suggestions.
