Laundry
When it comes to laundry detergents the do-it-yourself approach is the cheapest and most guaranteed way to stay environmentally friendly. Many cleaner recipes and stain removal tips can be found below. With any of these recipes, make sure to use an eco-friendly bar soap to make them truly green and when making the initial switch from a detergent to a soap laundry cleaner, wash items once with washing soda only. This will eliminate detergent residues which might otherwise react with soap to cause a yellowing of fabrics.

 

There are also a number of eco-friendly detergent options which you can find at most grocery stores. Here are a few things you can look for on a label to ensure your product is safe for you and the environment:
  • phosphate free
  • biodegradable
  • sulfate free
  • chlorine free
  • not tested on animals
  • in recycled and recyclable packaging
  • refillable

Once you have your cleaner, and are ready to wash, remember: warm water is better than hot, and cold water is better than warm (using cold water reduces energy use) and for the same reason, hang drying clothes beats out machine drying.

RECIPES

 

Bleach Substitute: 1/2c. borax per washload to whiten whites and brighten colors. If needed, occasionally use powdered, non-chlorine bleach.

Detergent: Add 1/3 c, washing soda to water before placing clothes in machine and substitute soap flakes or powder for detergent. Add 1/2c. borax for additional cleaning power. If you have 'hard' water, use a phosphate-free detergent.

Dry Cleaning: Buy items you can wash or clean on your own. Most dry cleaning solvents, such as perchloroethylene, are toxic. Many garments whose labels specify "dry clean only" can be safely hand washed using mild soap or vinegar. If you must dry clean, there are alternatives. Look at the New York Greenopia guide, the Sustain Lane blog or the Green Eco Services site to find a green dry cleaner near you.

Fabric Softener: Add 1 c. vinegar or 1/4 c. baking soda during final rinse. To reduce static cling in tumble dried synthetics, dampen hands when folding or line dry instead.

Presoak: Soak heavily soiled items in warm water with 1/2c, washing soda for 30 minutes. Rub soiled areas with liquid soap.

Spray Starch: Dissolve 2 T cornstarch in 1 pint cold water in spray bottle. Shake before each use. For delicate fabrics, dissolve 1 package unflavored gelatin; or add 2 T granulated sugar to 2 c, hot water. Dip corner of fabric into solution to test; if fabric becomes sticky when dry, add more water.

Stain Remover: Take immediate action! Soak spot in cool water at once and sponge away as much of stain as possible. Treat remaining stain as outlined below, observing these additional rules: test remedy on hidden area to make sure fabric isn't harmed; repeat remedy if necessary; air dry fabric, since dryer heat can "set" some stains permanently.

Blood: Soak in cold water 30 minutes, rub with soap, rinse in cold water. If stain persists, put a few drops of ammonia on stain, rub with soap, rinse. If necessary, wash with borax.

Chocolate and Coffee: Soak in cold water, rub with soap and a mild borax solution, rinse. Wash in water as hot as fabric can tolerate.

Fruit and Wine: Soak in cold water 30 minutes, rub soap into remaining stain and wash in water as hot as fabric will stand. Bleach with lemon juice and sunlight if needed.

Grass: Rub with glycerin (available in drug stores), let stand 1 hour, wash.

Grease: Pour boiling water on white cottons, rub with solution of washing soda in water. For other materials, blot with towel, dampen stain, rub with soap and baking soda. Wash in water as hot as possible, using extra soap.

Ink: For ball-point stains, sponge with rubbing alcohol, rub with soap, rinse, wash. For felt-tip stains, rub with soap, rinse, wash.

Lipstick: Rub with cold cream or shortening to dissolve color, rinse area with solution of washing soda in warm water to remove grease. Wash in soapy water as hot as fabric will stand.

Mildew: Wash with soap and water. Rinse well and dry in sun. If spot remains, apply lemon juice, rub with salt, dry in sun, wash.

Perspiration: Rub with solution of vinegar or lemon juice in water.

Rust: Saturate with lemon juice, rub with salt. Place in direct sunlight until dry, then wash.

Soiled Diapers: Presoak in 3 T baking soda dissolved in warm water.