Non-Toxic Homemade Laundry Products Save Money
Reduce Harmful Chemicals and Pollutants With Common Pantry Items
Dec 14, 2008
Commercial laundry detergents leave chemical residues on clothing where they are absorbed into skin and the atmosphere. According to Dr. George Grant, toxicologist and founder of the International Academy of Wellness, the “National Cancer Association released results of a 15 year study concluding that women who work in the home are at a 54% higher risk of developing cancer than women who work outside the home.” Fortunately we can easily reduce these chemicals by making cleaners from common pantry items.
Some ingredients recommended are safer, but not non-toxic. They have been identified with an asterisk(*). Never mix home chemicals together without a recipe. Combining bleach with ammonia, commercial toilet cleaners, or acids such as vinegar can produce dangerous fumes. These recipes come from Michigan State University Extension, Readers Digest Practical Problem Solver (1991), and grandmothers everywhere.
Laundry Soaps and Cleaners
- For laundry detergent, mix 1 cup grated Ivory soap (or Fels Naptha soap), 1/2 cup washing soda and 1/2 cup borax*. Use 1 tbsp for light loads; 2 tbsp for heavy loads. Oxy Clean is also non-toxic.
- Adding 1/4 to 1/2 cup baking soda per wash load makes clothes feel soft and smell fresh.
- Non-chlorine laundry bleach powder is a safer, minimally "toxic" bleaching alternative. specially formulated to be color-safe while naturally brightening your clothes.
- Eliminate soap residue by adding 1 cup of white vinegar to the washer's final rinse.
- To get wool and cotton blankets soft and fluffy as new, add 2 cups white vinegar to a full tub of rinse water. Do not use vinegar if you add chlorine bleach to your rinsewater.
- For a pre-soak, mix thoroughly ¼ cup household ammonia*, 2 tablespoon liquid detergent, and 1 quart water. Place in a spray bottle. Spray soiled area and let sit for 5 – 10 minutes, then launder. Repeat as necessary.
- Non-chlorine bleach powder and water also makes a effective pre-soak.
Special Problems
- For a delicate washables soak, combine ½ cup soap flakes (or grated mild soap such as Ivory), 2 cups soft water, and ½ cup Borax*.
- To remove grease from clothing, rub chalk on spot, let it absorb the oil, then brush off. Repeat if necessary.
- To remove oil stains, add 1 cup ammonia* to to wash (do not use with chlorine bleach).
- To remove spots, put slivers of mild soap (such as Ivory) in a mesh bag and scrub collar stains.
- With a brush, scrub in a paste of vinegar and baking soda.
- For homemade laundry starch, dissolve 1 tablespoon cornstarch in 1 pint cold water. Place in a spray bottle. Shake before using. Clearly label the contents of the spray bottle.
- To remove smoky odor from clothes, fill your bathtub with hot water. Add 1 cup white vinegar. Hang garments above the steaming bath water.
Removing White Bleach Spots
(Follow each method by washing in Rit stain remover or white wash.)
- Make a paste of baking soda and vinegar. Scrub spot and let sit for 15 minutes. Repeat if necessary.
- Squeeze lemon juice onto spot and dry in full sun.
- Make a paste of Oxy clean and water and scrub into spot. Repeat as necessary.
Using these formulas and substitutions help minimize the use of toxic substances in the home, and reduce the environmental harm caused by the manufacture, use and disposal of toxics. Results may vary and cannot be guaranteed to be 100% safe and effective. Before applying any of these recipes, test in small hidden areas. Make sure to keep all homemade formulas well-labeled and out of the reach of children.
For more non-toxic solutions for the home, please go to All-Purpose Cleaners, Carpet Cleaners, and Air Fresheners.
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