Several years ago I revolutionized the way I ate (Maker's Diet & Metabolic Type), and who would have known where the journey would take me!  As I began to learn the truth about nutrition, it spilled over into every area of life.  I've gone organic with my soaps, shampoos, lotions, and fluoride free toothpaste.  The next area for change is my cleaning products.  I currently use Tide, but that will be changing.  I love this website and the useful, practical, healthy advice given.

Thanks to Dr. Mercola and all the faithful Vital Voters.  You all have taught me so much. 

For 3 years I've been using my own laundry formula. Everything is biodegradable and has minimal impact on the environment (vs. traditional detergents). You can adjust the amounts to your liking or make some substitutions, but this will give you some good ideas.

For wash cycle I add 1/4th cup of baking soda, 1/4th cup borax to improve the cleansing power, allowing me to use less detergent. As for detergent I use a small amount, about 1-2 ounces of "Sal's Suds" by Dr. Bonner. It's concentrated liquid detergent (sls) without any additives. For a cheaper alternative (vs. sal's suds) , you can buy a pure laundry detergent bar (sls) and dissolve it in water for easy use in washing machines.

Natural soaps would seemingly be better (than sls) , but I have heard that they don't clean clothing well enough (for synthetic fibers at least which I must wear for work). I'll save those (natural soaps) for washing my skin and use vinegar to remove any detergent (sls) residue from my clothing.

Then add 1/4th cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. Don't use apple cider vinegar or any other types as they will stain clothing. The vinegar softens the cloths, removes detergent residue, reduces static cling, and helps to normalize the ph level of the clothing making them last longer.

Proctor & Gamble controls the soap and detergent business nationally.  P&G is NO FRIEND to your health or the environment, let alone you clothes.

Oh man. I feel like an idiot. For all these years I've enjoyed the "homey" smell of Downy fabric softener on my clothes. One by one I'm replacing bad habits with good. I started with the food, then tossed the microwave, then tossed the body wash and other toxin-containing personal care products, then tossed the antiperspirant (slow learner?). NOW, finally, I've ordered Shaklee laundry products. I feel better just thinking about my good choices. I'm one of those people who just loves really nice smells, and for me it's a challenge to give up the lucious smell of clean towels bathed in fragrance. Hubby HATES the smell, and is very happy that I've come around. Thanks to this website, I'm doing a LOT more healthy things for me and my family. So don't ding me, I'm trying!!!!

The more folks realize the toxic nature of so many things we use--the better the informed choices can be made to eliminate them. People have headaches in the morning---could be the detergent, the weird stuff they put in the dryer to keep clothes 'cling free', the this the that---toothpaste, makeup, air fresheners. 'Scuse me--I need to go open a window...

This is an amazing post, specifically because no one ever talks about the threat of detergents. I believe detergents are one of the greatest threats to our health because literally hundreds of millions of people use them (as well as hospitals, schools, prisons and hotels) and flush millions of tons of these toxins down the drain every day. Look what it has done to our fresh water supply. Bottled water is now a $100 BILLION dollar a year industry, and it didn't even exist 15 years ago. Water is the basic necessity for life on earth. Without clean water we die.

I found a really effective non-chemical method to clean clothes that I have been using for two years with great success. It utilizes renewable magnetic force rather than non-renewable poisonous chemicals. The link is here: magnetic laundry system .  If this product and others like it are widely adopted, we can solve this health and environmental crisis. We all need to support new alternatives like this before Big Business squashes them.

I have been using a safe formula for sometime now.  It is 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup table salt, (use these two ingred. only for dark clothes, then for the other clothes add 3/4 cup of baking soda and 1/2 cup of 20 Muleteam Borax.  I love the fresh smell that comes from my clothes.  Be prepared to rewash your clothes the first time you use this formula because they will be full of left over laundry soap that is in the fabric.  You can get the large bags of baking soda and salt from "Sam's Club" this is the only place that I have found these items in large quanities.  You do not need to use fabric softner or dryer sheets to  soften your clothes.

As a matter of fact, these are my basic cleaning ingredients in my home, no chemicals!!

Happy Laundry!

Diane

I have been using "alternative" detergents for several years now. I recently switched from Melaleuca to Shaklee so I don't have to keep up with a monthly minimum. Both have wonderful household cleaners, safe & effective. To check out Shaklee visit www.myshaklee.com You don't have to sign on to make a purchase. Other green cleaners are the Seventh Generation brand - available at many Target and Publix stores and Method brand available at Target.

Another great website is www.theworldwomenwant.com - Diane's Big Green purse is a great for learning how we can make a stand and buy non-toxic items we use everyday.