Are you looking to turn your laundry a little greener? We don’t mean the colour of your clothing but the impact your washing has on our environment. A miscellaneous laundry list of chemicals doesn’t necessarily lead to cleaner clothing. You can use countless organic laundry products instead of standard detergents and stain removers. Discover some organic alternatives to common laundry products you should start bringing to the laundromat.
What to Look for When Choosing Organic Laundry Products
“Eco-friendly” and “green” have become the favourite buzzwords of laundry products attempting to masquerade as organic. But you can cut through the marketing fluff by looking at the ingredients label. You’ll want to avoid manufactured chemicals in favour of naturally occurring enzymes. Keep an eye out for phosphate-free, dye-free, and biodegradable labels.
Organic Laundry Detergent Alternatives
Soap Nuts
Soap nuts are a hypoallergenic and organic alternative to laundry detergent that people in India and Nepal have used for hundreds of years. Coming from the Ritha tree, this dried fruit packs a powerful cleaning punch and is ideal for washing clothes.
Place a handful of soap nuts into a small mesh bag and soak them in hot water before placing them in the washing machine with your clothing. The saponin released by the soap nuts reduces the surface tension of liquids, allowing easy water flow, and effectively removes dirt, oils, and grime from your clothing.
Baking Soda
More at home in the kitchen than the laundry, baking soda is fast becoming a staple within the laundry cupboards of Kiwis across the country. Baking soda is a mild alkali that effectively dissolves grit and grime when used in the washing machine. Add three-quarters of a cup of baking soda to our next full load of washing, and watch as your clothing comes out sparkling clean.
Organic Stain Removers
Lemon Juice
When life gives you lemons, make organic laundry stain remover! Fresh or bottled lemon juice is an excellent stain remover, as lemons contain acetic acid, a natural bleach.
To remove stains, wet the affected area and apply a small amount of lemon juice, leaving it to sit for around 30 minutes before washing as usual. Just remember to be careful, as lemon juice can bleach coloured clothing.
White Vinegar
White vinegar is a miracle worker at the laundromat and the most effective organic laundry product there is. It’s cheaper than standard stain remover, softer on clothing than regular detergent, and far safer than any chlorine products.
White vinegar is particularly beneficial for removing those yellow sweat stains from your workout clothing or the kids’ school uniforms. Just add one cup of white vinegar to the final rinse cycle, and your clothes will come out smelling fresh and stain-free.
It’s Time to Turn to Organic Laundry Products
Countless Kiwis are switching to organic laundry products as they are more eco-friendly, gentler on your skin, and can preserve your favourite threads for longer. The next time you trek down to one of our Auckland CBD laundromat locations, be sure to bring your organic products and start taking better care of your laundry and our planet.