Natural Laundry Detergents

Supermarket shelves are stocked with rows of laundry detergents and it can be daunting to choose from the multitude of brands that ‘claim’ how well the laundry powders/liquids wash your clothes.

Are you aware that one company alone makes more than one brand of laundry detergent? Their main objective is to cater for everyone’s laundry ‘needs’, so it’s to their advantage where marketing is concerned.

What is alarming is their hidden agenda. They are not obliged to give you a full ingredient list of what their laundry detergents are made from. They certainly do not want that ‘coming out in the wash’.

Your ‘allergies’ to certain laundry detergents build up over time. The harsh chemicals used in them may leave traces of those chemicals in your clothing. When you wear your clothing, your body heat and sweat mingle with the chemicals and this may cause rashes and dermatitis etc.

Our skin is a breathable organ and made up of very minute pores. It may be possible for these fine chemical traces to get absorbed through the pores of your skin and end up in your bloodstream.

I for one would want to know how safe my laundry detergent is to use on mine or my family’s clothing and how safe the ‘grey water’ is in regards to our environment.

My ongoing research for eco friendly products has led me to list below these environmentally friendly laundry detergents sold on Amazon, eBay and Organic Australia Online.

Planet Ultra Powdered Laundry Detergent

Planet laundry detergent is less likely to cause an allergic reaction because it is derived from coconut oil and also contains borax, corn starch, soda ash as well as sodium silicate. This biodegradable product is free of dyes/perfumes and optical brighteners but still has the ‘power’ to clean clothes well.

Planet washing powder has been independently certified. This is to confirm that it is indeed safe for the environment and a guarantee that it is truly a “green” product. Available on Amazon.com

Country Save Laundry Detergent

Country Save is biodegradable and phosphate free. It has been acknowledged by the EPA’s “Design for the Environment Program”. Knowing that it is safe for the environment will put your mind at ease as you know it will not pose any health risks to you and your family. Being a concentrated powder means that it goes a long way. Sold on Amazon.

Seventh Generation Laundry Powder Concentrate

This natural laundry powder concentrate from Seventh Generation is said to perform well in the wash. It is very effective in removing dirt and grease.

The biodegradable plant derived blend is scented with essential oils and plant extracts. The unscented ‘Free and Clear’ variety is available. Can be purchased on Amazon.

Aller Wash Laundry Detergent

Allerwash Liquid Laundry Detergent

Aller Wash by Tantech is a dust mite and pet allergen liquid concentrate. Environmentally friendly Aller Wash is free of peroxide, phosphates and bleach.

The safe nature of Aller Wash is gentle on all fabrics and will not damage the hide on sheepskin.

Containing no synthetic fragrances, Aller Wash has been blended with melaleuca oils; tea tree oil included. Tea Tree Oil kills dust mites and is a great antibacterial and antifungal fighter.

To find out more about “Aller Wash”, please visit Organics Australia Online. Quote ERINECO in their checkout to receive a 5% discount on your web order. Discount does not apply to shipping fees. Worldwide delivery.

Did You Know?

Oxygen-Based Bleach

It is a non-chlorine cleaning agent which removes dirt, grease, grime and soap scum. It’s non-toxic, biodegradable and leaves no harmful residues behind which may harm you or the environment.

Sodium Silicate

Also known as “water glass”, sodium silicate is made by combining sand with sodium carbonate. It is water soluble; meaning it dissolves in water. The use of Sodium Silicate in laundry detergents helps to prevent mineral deposits on clothing after washing them. These mineral deposits are the main element in hard water.

Hard water can cause lime deposits which will rust in washing machines; including the hoses and its parts. This will shorten the life of the washing machine as well as increasing the wear on clothing.

Soda Ash

Also known as sodium carbonate or washing soda, Soda Ash is used as a water softener as it increases pH levels in water. It prevents magnesium and calcium ions in water adhering (sticking) to the laundry detergent.

Optical Brighteners

Also called brightening agents or optical whiteners, optical brighteners make your clothes look white and bright but this is an optical illusion. Yes, you heard right. These chemical brighteners soak up ultraviolet light and radiate back as visible blue light. This blue light disguises yellowing that may show in clothing and makes it appear whiter and brighter than it would actually appear naturally to the naked eye.

In reality, your clothes are no cleaner. Optical Brighteners leave a chemical residue on clothing even after they are line dried.

Please Note

Most fabric softeners are made from harmful chemicals and are not environmentally friendly. A majority of ‘sheets’ used in dryers to make your clothes smell ‘nice’ contain toxic chemicals too and leave residues on your clothing. Your body heat and sweat mingled with these residues may cause skin rashes and then get absorbed through the pores of your skin.

In Addition

To be honest, I truly do not know how anyone can stand in the laundry detergent/washing powder aisles of supermarkets for any lengthy period. The combined smells make me dizzy and give me a headache. There is nothing natural about that!