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). When it comes to getting clothes cleaned green, there are many options.
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 Companies
Seventh Generation (Canada and U.S) is one of the most popular eco-friendly detergents on the market. Their laundry liquid formula is non-toxic, biodegradable, free of phosphates and optical brighteners, and is plant based (rather than petroleum based). Seventh Generation’s name comes from the Great Law of the Iroquois that states, "In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations.
Biokleen (U.S only) is a company that produces concentrated cleaning formulas in order to minimize packaging, fillers, and energy used in transportation. Their detergents are free of fragrances, dyes, brighteners, and chlorine. Biokleen was founded by Jim Rimer, a former sales rep for a commercial cleaning company. After becoming aware of the toxic effects of the products he was selling, Rimer decided take a stand and develop his own environmentally friendly cleaning products.
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.”
Make Your Own Detergent
If none of the previous options sound appealing, why not make your own detergent? There a number of ways to do this and various recipes depending on personal preferences. 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 natural, quality soap (Dr. Bronner’s)
- 1 cup washing soda (sodium carbonate)
- 1 cup baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
- 1 cup Borax (hydrated sodium borate)
There are many other additions to make to a homemade detergent. Instead of a bar of soap, try adding Soap flakes, a natural blend of vegetable oils and purified water. Scent is another important factor in the cleaning process, so why not add a few drops of your favourite essential oil into the mix (mandarin, lavender, fir).
Vinegar is another great, inexpensive ingredient to add to laundry cycles to get clothes clean, bright, and 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 that 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 the body, local water sources, and the planet!
Johanna Bailey - I am a freelance writer and editor with an honours degree in Professional Writing from York University. My greatest passion is the ...
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