Many household laundry detergents contain synthetics chemicals and ingredients that can cause allergies, asthma, skin and eye irritation and even some types of cancers. Synthetic fragrances can trigger allergic reactions, asthma attacks and itchy skin rashes in some individuals.
Some Household Laundry Detergents Are Not Green
Commercial laundry detergents also contain ingredients that are released into the water and environment and are slow to biodegrade. These chemical compounds are not environmentally friendly and can cause damage to the ecosystem, including mutations in fish and animals.
It can be difficult to avoid and even be aware of the many synthetic compounds that are biologically harmful to the people and the environment. Manufacturers of household detergents and cleaners do not have to disclose all the ingredients and often use unrecognizable trade names for ingredients that are made public.
To avoid many of the toxic ingredients use laundry detergents that are biodegradable and made with only plant based surfactants or make your own. Here are some easy to make instructions for homemade allergen and toxin free laundry detergent.
How to Make Environmentally Friendly Laundry Detergent
An easy and quick way to make liquid laundry detergent that will last for months uses:
- 1 quart of water
- 2 cups of regular bar soap
- 2 cups of borax
- 2 cups washing soda
Washing soda and borax contain natural and biodegradable ingredients that have been used for thousands of years to wash clothes; they can be found in the laundry aisle at local grocery stores. The bar soap should be an unscented variety and grated with a cheese grater so that it will melt evenly.
Boil the water in a large pot on the stove. Add soap and stir with a wooden spoon until it is completely dissolved. Turn down the heat and add the borax and washing soda and continue stirring. The detergent may appear watery, but will thicken as it cools. Store it in a pail with a lid or reuse old laundry detergent bottles and use about a half cup for each load of laundry.
Powdered laundry detergent can be made with the same ingredients:
- 2 cups finely grated soap
- 1 cup borax
- 1 cup washing soda
Simply mix together and store in a plastic container with a lid. Use 2 or 3 tablespoons per load.
Another recipe for powdered detergent is:
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1 cup washing soda
- ¼ cup liquid castile soap
Mix all the ingredients, adding the vinegar slowly while stirring. The mixture will initially look like a thick paste but will then become large powdered chunks. Use a half cup per load of laundry.
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GOG101
Noreen Kassem - Noreen Kassem is a hospital doctor based in London, UK. She has extensive experience in clinical research and an undergraduate honors ...
