So this is a super simple recipe for DIY laundry detergent. I've been using it for a few months and it works just as well as commercial detergent, is a fraction of the cost, and doesn't have all the horrible chemicals found in all the most popular brands.
RECIPE:
2 Cups Washing Soda
2 Cups Borax
2 Bars of any regular soap (I used Dr. Bronner's castile bar soap, but any soap will do!)
30 drops of essential oil of your choice (optional)
Grate the soap into a large container and add in the washing soda and borax and essential oils if desired! Simple as that! Use 2 tbsp per load in HE machines, or about 1/4 cup in older washing machines!
When it comes to fabric softener and dryer sheets, alternatives are definitely also encouraged. Did you know that the ingredients aren't even listed on these products?! You'll see something like “biodegradable softeners” or a similarly vague term. Yepp, legally manufacturers are not required to list ingredients on these products, yet they contain some of the most toxic ingredients in any hosuehold cleaners!
From the article "7 Reasons to Ditch Dryer Sheets" found HERE:
"Seven most common chemicals found in dryer sheets and their effect on the central nervous system:
1. Alpha-Terpineol
causes central nervous system disorders. Can also cause loss of
muscular coordination, central nervous system depression, and headache.
2. Benzyl Alcohol causes
central nervous system disorders, headaches, nausea, vomiting,
dizziness, central nervous system depression, and, in severe cases,
death.
3. Camphor on
the US EPA’s Hazardous Waste list. Central nervous system stimulant,
causes dizziness, confusion, nausea, twitching muscles, and convulsions.
4. Chloroform on the EPA’s Hazardous Waste list. Neurotoxic and carcinogenic.
5. Ethyl Acetate on the EPA’s Hazardous Waste list. Narcotic. May cause headaches and narcosis (stupor).
6. Linalool causes
central nervous system disorders. Narcotic. In studies of animals, it
caused ataxic gait (loss of muscular coordination), reduced spontaneous
motor activity, and depression.
7. Pentane causes
headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, and loss of
consciousness. Repeated inhalation of vapours causes central nervous
system depression."
Chloroform in my dryer sheets?! Uhhhh NO THANK YOU!
Instead of fabric softener I use 1/4 cup of vinegar (your clothes will NOT retain the smell). I just pour it into the fabric softener section of my washer.
Instead of dryer sheets I use an old cloth with about 5 drops of essential oil (this will also make your clothes smell pretty!), or aluminum foil balls (literally just scrunched up aluminum foil!). I don't have any issues with static when I do this, even when washing things like fleece blankets.
