Laundry Detergent and Dishwashing liquid

[saragrambusch]

My last vestiges of toxic home products are laundry detergent, dryer sheets and dishwashing liquid. I'm moving soon and am trying to get my new place totally chemical-free. I suppose I'll just look at the natural foods store, but I was wondering if anyone has recommendations. I rarely use a dishwasher anyway, but I can't get away with not doing laundry.

[EJ]

I haven't used dryer sheets in years and years. I use dryer balls instead. You can buy plastic ones at many stores or you can make your own out of wool. Or you can buy premade wool ones.

For laundry detergent, I switched to using soap nuts a year or so ago and it's been great. No fragrances (I'm allergic), no issues with things not being clean, and no guilt over what I'm putting into the water supply. Search for them on Google-I bought them overseas and haven't had to replace them yet, so I'm not sure where to get them (although they seem to be for sale at several online stores, including Amazon & iHerb).

As for dishwashing soap...I'm open to ideas. I've been using the Seventh Generation dry soap...and don't like it. Has anyone found something better?

[localkaty]

I pretty much just use Dr Bonner's for everything!

[greystorms]

Tried soap nuts for laundry, and didn't particularly like the faint scent that they left on the laundry. Dr. Bronner's works really well for laundry, though.

As for dishes, I'm ok with regular dishwashing tabs. I grew up in a restaurant, and spent years and years as a dishwasher, so that's probably my least favorite chore. Anything to make it easier, including just being able to shove most things into the dishwasher and run it.

[EJ]

Well, it might be worth trying some "greener" dishwashing tabs to avoid putting phosphates (and colorings and chlorine) into our water supply. Just a thought. I think it's a trial and error thing to see what works. I just bought the Ecover Zero (no fragrance) tabs-we'll see how they do.

[elleneliza]

greystorms and localkaty, are you using Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds? Or something else?

[greystorms]

Apr 28, 2014 9:32:44 GMT -5 elleneliza said:

greystorms and localkaty, are you using Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds? Or something else?

This one here:

www.amazon.com/Dr-Bronners-Magic-Soaps-Pure-Castile/dp/B00120VWJ0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1398703346&sr=8-2&keywords=dr.+bronner%27s+magic+soaps


It's cheaper at Whole Foods, and even cheaper than that at Trader Joe's.  I believe those places it's between $8-10 per bottle.  It also doesn't take very much for a load of laundry, just a couple squirts.

[Erin]

For laundry detergent I use and love Molly's Suds. I also use their Cloth Diaper wash for our stash www.mollyssuds.com/ They are rated A on the EWG which is spectacular. www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners/5835-MollysSudsLaundryPowder

[salixisme]

For laundry I use Ecos laundry detergent from Costco... It claims to be 100% natural and is scented with magnolia and lily essential oils - it is a very subtle scent. I use felted woolen dryer balls in the dryer.
Not found a suitable substitute for dishwasher detergent - we have crazy hard water here, and all the home-made ones I tried did not work well. The dishes simply were not getting cleaned properly.

[Erin]

Yes!! I'm all about the wool dryer balls, too. My sister thought I had lost my mind talking about dryer balls with such excitement. Until she came e over to do laundry one day She snagged some off Etsy that night.

[caril]

Just saw and had to comment- I found dryer balls at HomeGoods last week, and I cannot believe how great they work! Much better than any fabric softener/dryer sheets I used to use.

[saravandy]

We use tropical traditions powder for clothes with white vinegar. . For the dishwasher we use 7th generation.

[cleaneatingmel]

Have been looking for a good dishwashing liquid and dishwasher alternative - found - nothing :/

[cleaneatingmel]

Well the heath food store has some, but still has a long ingredients list that I don't trust!