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Need help with trying to go green with my laundry.

Submitted by kaytrenia on Fri, Nov. 28, 2008

Believe it or not I LOVE to do laundry!!! My family and I have just starting making "green" choices with our food and cleaning products about a year ago and we have been recycling for at least four years so a lot of this is still new to me. Now that I know that I can help save the planet each time I wash--and I do wash a lot-- I would like to know what I can use as far as detergent, stain removers, fabric softner and dryer sheets. I have read a few stuff on baking soda and vinegar but I do not know how much to use or if I can use them at the same time.

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Comments (3)

Meredethg
Tue, Feb. 17, 2009

Laundry

For the "whites" you can use a tablespoon of baking soda to a large load.

If you like to have clothes that have a scent after the wash you can use 2 drops of essential oil (whichever you like) to the load.

SarahT
Sun, Nov. 30, 2008

Some tips

I can't provide you with an unbiased recommendation on laundry detergents; as a Seventh Generation employee, I'm a huge fan of our powdered laundry detergent. I use it in cold water - saving lots of heating energy - and it works great. Air-drying clothes is also great for the environment, but takes a lot more planning if you're not used to it. An added bonus of airdrying clothes inside in the winter-time - it adds humidity to your home, which means saving energy of running a humidifier!

For stain treatment, you can just scrub some laundry powder into the stain & let sit damp for 24 hours, then scrub, rinse, and wash. You can also use Seventh Generation carpet cleaner for spot treatment, but test it on the fabric, first.

The best reusable dryer sheet is already in your home! Put a little bit of fabric softener on a sock or washcloth and toss it in with your dryer load. Voila!

americandesi
Fri, Nov. 28, 2008

you should use unscented

you should use unscented laundry detergents.