Have you ever stopped to consider what makes your clothes smell clean? Likely it’s actually many toxic chemicals that are harming your health and the environment. In 6 simple steps learn how to make your laundry routine natural and non-toxic. Find out how to choose products that are best for your health and the environment too. Laundry really can be simple and toxic free and still come clean!
I used to think conventional laundry products wasn’t an issue, what changed?
I used to think the laundry products I used didn’t matter. Everyone uses them anyway and they make the clothes smell clean anyways. For me, it was all about buying the most inexpensive laundry detergents and other products with nicest smelling fragrances.
At least until I lived with a roommate who told me she’d even purchase detergents for me, if I used her natural, non-toxic, “expensive” products. She claimed she could smell mine and reacted to them. I didn’t really believe her, but for the sake of peace I agreed.
After I moved out a year later, I went to use my old laundry products. Well, I could hardly stand it! My laundry products loaded with chemicals and fragrances almost sent me out of the house.
I never realized how toxic and strong laundry products are! Not to mention how terrible it is for your health and that of the environment.
I’m convinced now, and I hope you will be too!
Why should you not use conventional laundry products?
Simply put because your health, your families health and the environment matter.
Our skin is our biggest organ. It absorbs what we put on it, which includes what we wash our clothes, sheets, towels in. Not to mention the laundry product’s chemicals and toxins you smell and breath in! Laundry may smell “clean,” but it’s actually far from it.
Give natural laundry a try and experience the difference for yourself!
6 things you can do to make your laundry routine natural and non-toxic:
1. Purchase Natural Laundry Detergents
The first thing to make your laundry routine more natural is to switch to natural laundry detergents. This is possibly the most impactful.
Read labels and look for ingredients you can read and know what it is! Stay away from all fragrances (natural or not), brightening agents and cleaning agents especially. Don’t worry natural detergents can still get your clothes clean and remove dirt and stains.
How do you find natural, non-toxic detergents without being a chemist?
I always use an app when looking for products to see if they are clean products, free from synthetic or irritable fragrances, dyes and other toxic harsh chemicals.
Simply download the Yuka app or EWG app. When shopping for laundry products (or cosmetic or food), you simply scan the items barcode. The app gives that product a score with details about the ingredients.
These apps are helpful when trying to decipher product labels. They analyze the health impacts so you know the quality of what you’re using. Remember, if you can’t read the ingredient and there’s lots of them, chances are you shouldn’t be using it.
The Yuka app is my favourite as it recommends other healthier alternative products to try too.
2. DIY Laundry Detergent
If you want to make your own natural laundry detergent it’s not hard.
DIY laundry soap usually takes simple ingredients like baking soda, washing soda and Castile soap. Making your own detergent allows you to customize the scent with essential oils and avoid any possible allergens or irritants.
This is my favourite DIY powdered laundry detergent recipe from Our Oily House.
3. Ditch & Swap the Fabric Softeners & Dryer Sheets
If you want to go natural and toxic free in your laundry room, just toss them! Traditional fabric softeners and dryer sheets usually contain synthetic fragrances and chemicals that can irritate the skin plus harm the environment. Even if you don’t notice any irritants, your body don’t need to deal with these chemicals.
A natural alternative to fabric softeners and dryer sheets is white vinegar or wool dryer balls. White vinegar can be added in the fabric softener tray or bleach tray. White vinegar softens clothes and eliminate static, while wool dryer balls help to reduce drying time and soften fabrics without the need for chemicals.
You can even DIY your own dryer sheets if you feel you can’t live without them. Simply take a cotton cloth, mist it with vinegar and add a couple drops of essential oils if you like.
4. Line Dry your clothes like Grandma did
The sun is a natural bleaching agent so line drying your clothes to take advantage of it! Not only does sunlight help to remove stains and odours, it also kills bacteria and freshens your laundry. Even just using a drying rack near a sunny window can get some of these benefits.
Bonus, when using a clothesline or drying rack to air dry your clothes you are being environmentally friendly. Plus extending the lifespan of your clothes. Dryer heat over time can cause fabrics to shrink, fade, or become damaged. By air drying, you can reduce your energy usage. As well as keep your clothes looking newer for longer with a fresh outdoor scent.
5. Use Natural Stain Removers
Stains are so frustrating, my biggest tip is don’t worry about it with little kids, unless it’s their dress clothes! They outgrow their clothes so quickly why take the extra time to get stains out. But there are still times you need to get stains out! So what can you use that works and is natural and non-toxic?
For all natural stain removers grandma’s good ol’ elbow grease and soaking time seems to be the key. Bar soap, lemon juice, white vinegar, rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide can be effective natural stain removers. Sometimes all you need is just water.
Simply apply the chosen solution to the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, scrub with your elbow grease (gently of course if the fabric is delicate) and then wash as usual. These natural options are good for the environment. Most importantly they reduce your exposure to harsh chemicals of what’s on the market as the best stain removers.
If you feel you absolutely need a stain remover that’s not these natural products. Make sure to scan it with the Yuka app to make sure you’er choosing something with less toxic chemicals.
6. Keep Mold / Mildew from Growing in Your Washing Machine – Without Bleach
If not properly maintained, your washing machine is the perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow, especially a front load washer. You can effectively clean mold out of a front load washer using natural products. You don’t need even bleach, which is quite toxic. Learn why you should stay away from bleach and what to use instead to clean mold and keep mildew out of your washing machine with natural products in my post here.
Maintaining your washing machine using natural products to avoid any future mold or mildew growth is important too. Simple things like using a few drops of tea tree essential oil and white vinegar in every laundry load. I go into detail of what to use in a regular sanitize cycle and other helpful tips in this post.
Are you ready to switch to a natural laundry routine? How can I help?
Does the process of switching & ditching your toxic laundry products feel overwhelming?
How could I help you make the transition easier for you? Let me know in the comments below.
SNAG YOUR FREE EBOOK
Need help getting started creating a laundry schedule? Then my Ebook is for you. Simple step by steps to create a weekly cleaning – including laundry – routine, plus check out my bonus guide for simple laundry.
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