What do you use to wash your clothes in?

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Permalink Reply by Eternal Voyageur on September 25, 2008 at 1:12pm

Now I buy an organic detergent from the Hobbythek, but before that I used to simply use washnuts.

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Permalink Reply by jason on September 25, 2008 at 1:19pm

I either use a little squirt of bronners soap, same as I use on me and my dogs or soapnuts. Mike Adams and Naturalnews.com has them. They are super affordable and last forever.

Peace

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Permalink Reply by cricketine on September 25, 2008 at 1:37pm

I love Bronners, and I never thought of it for laundry
thanks Jason!

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Permalink Reply by Charles on September 25, 2008 at 1:54pm

Soapnuts are where it's at.

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Permalink Reply by Jude on September 25, 2008 at 1:29pm

I'm super sensitive to the chemicals used in all of the conventional stuff. But odd enough, Arm & Hammer's supposed "All Natural" detergent works very well for me. It's also super concentrated to save plastic waste from extra bottles. If I'm out of this, I also squirt about two seconds worth of lavender or teatree Dr. Bronners (I'm a huge fan, and even wash my scooter with it, as well as my ferret :).

But I think another great alternative is to be very conscious while you're wearing your clothes. I don't mean to be stingy, but be careful to keep your clothes neat. I usually wear a pair of pants at least five times before washing them, and maybe two or three times with my shirts. Socks vary between one to two uses, and underwear I change when I shower. I like this method because it cuts down on water waste, electricity waste, and simply gives you more time to get around to laundry.

Hope this helps :)

I've also used seventh generation. It's very nice, but a bit pricey. I always tell people who say things like "I don't understand how you can afford buying all organic stuff when you make so much less than me!" that it doesn't matter how much you make, it matters how much you use. Besides that i feel like we're sacrificing a few hard earned dollars more to provide the next few generations with cheaper eco-friendly products. I don't mind blowing all my money on body care stuff. It feels better all around :)

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Permalink Reply by cricketine on September 25, 2008 at 1:36pm

LoL a lavender scented ferret!!! I'm sure my ferrets would NOT go for that.

We do the same with our clothes, wear them a few times and only wash when soiled or have an odor.... saves big time on washing!

I personally like the idea of "if you cant eat it, why put it on your body" approach to body care and it works really well for me. I usually have reactions to commercial products too, but this has worked very well for me.

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Permalink Reply by Sarah on September 25, 2008 at 1:38pm

How do your clothes smell? I'd do the vinegar & baking soda thing, too, but I'm a little concerned about smelling like vinegar all the time.

I like to clean & wash with Dr. Bronner's, but I have to admit it's expensive, and I don't know how much I should use, so I'm probably overdoing it.

Any help on how much for the laundry would be welcome!

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Permalink Reply by cricketine on September 25, 2008 at 6:16pm

No smell at all.... I did add too much once when I was washing our synthetic (waiting until it completely falls apart!) comforter and there was a faint vinegar smell that went away the next day when I washed it again.

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Permalink Reply by Eternal Voyageur on September 26, 2008 at 1:29pm

Vinegar takes away other smells ! Try it: put some in a little container near your trash can, shoes, or some other smelly place. For a bit the air will smell of vinegar, and then that smell will go away, taking other nasty smells with it !

I actually add vinegar to the rinse cycle of my machine when I wash cloth diapers. It makes the clothes softer (counters the chalky water), keeps the pipes clear of fungus, and takes away any smells. I hang them out to dry, and there is NO TRACE of vinegar smell.

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Permalink Reply by Mica on September 25, 2008 at 2:44pm

I started using a new detergent recently and I'm super happy with it.
This might not be available in the U.S. or it might I don't know but then maybe it is still interesting for UK folks.
Simply Sensitive Eco Smart by Aquados Ltd

Eco washing powder
Vegan
Carbon Neutral Company
All packaging made from post consumer waste and again recyclable
It washes REALLY well and smells AMAZING!!
Aaaand it only costs as much as conventional detergents so doesn't break the bank.
I LOvE this stuff!

www.simplywashing.com

I still use Ecover laundry softener (and washing up liquid) though I never got on with their laundry liquid.

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Permalink Reply by jason on September 25, 2008 at 3:59pm

A thing about "organic" or "eco-friendly" and the related costs that I like to share with people - I personally refuse to buy anything that is not at a minimum eco-friendly but most things I buy are simplified more than you can imagine. It feels really good to live in this manner. Anyway, we have power with every dollar we spend. With every organic apple you buy, you can guarantee the market will adjust to that and there will be 2 more organic apples next year and the chemical apple that rotted will get replaced with an organic one and on and on. "organic" being more expensive is only a fad that will change when we change it. It has to become the norm and the only way to make it the norm is to erase choice from your life. Don't be selfish with the future, instead of buying two chemical apples, buy one organic one knowing you're changing the world in a very positive manner. Its a simple process, we just need to inform the masses, but the market will adjust, it is as we speak - just slowly, but organic / eco is still the fringe so its still more expensive.

Companies will quit selling shit if consumers quit buying it - simple as that.

We hold so much power with our purchases and our decisions in our day to day. Things won't just change, we must change them. Voting for a president does not really do anything. Voting with your money does everything.

Sorry for the rambling - Peace

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Permalink Reply by Apryl Electra on September 25, 2008 at 4:07pm

My thoughts exactly!

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