Nontoxic Laundry Solutions
Alright friends, by now, you likely know that I am all about finding safer, nontoxic, and high performing products for my family and friends.
Did you know that many laundry detergents and dryer sheets are not great for our health?
I love the fresh and clean scent that many drug store brands provide, however, the artificial fragrance that is included in many of these products is often filled with harmful chemicals that could potentially impact my health as well as my family’s health.
I wanted to share with you some of my favorite nontoxic laundry solutions if you are making the switch to a more nontoxic household!
1) Switch out your dryer sheets for wool dryer balls.
Dryer sheets have been a common practice because of the lovely aroma that they give to our clothing as well as helping to reduce static cling. However, recent research has shown that these thin polyester sheets are not great for our health. Research has shown that dryer sheets can cause skin/eye irritation, migraines, and asthma attacks.
Wool dryer balls allow for you to add your own natural fragrance with the assistance of essential oils! First, grab your essential oil of choice, drop 3 drops on each dryer ball, and allow them to dry for a minute prior to using! My favorite essential oils to use for laundry include lavender, bergamot, and lemon. Wool dryer balls not only decrease your toxic load, but they also dry clothes faster! Dryer balls are also a more affordable option! Dryer balls are known to last for approximately 1000 loads of laundry. Therefore, they are a more cost effective and sustainable option.
2) Make your own Laundry Scent Booster!
Hoping to add a bit more of a scent to your clothes but not wanting to add any artificial fragrance? I have a solution for you! This homemade laundry scent booster not only works super well, but it is a nontoxic solution! All you need is Epsom salts, baking soda, the essential oil of your choice, and a jar with a lid.
Ingredients:
1.5 cups of Epsom Salts
1 cup of Baking Soda
20-30 drops of your essential oil of choice
What do you do:
Mix essential oils into Epsom salts. Once this is mixed through, add the baking soda to the mixture!
Add 1-2 tablespoons to the fabric softener compartment of your washing machine.
Enjoy the lovely scent!
3) Switch to a safer laundry detergent.
When deciding on the best laundry detergent for your family, look for plant and mineral based items that are free of parabens and artificial fragrances. Also, look for companies that are committed to transparency! My personal favorite laundry detergent is Molly’s suds. I am amazed by how little you use per load. High performing ingredients mean less amount of product. This detergent is highly effective and lasts for a long time!
I hope you found this to be a helpful tool for you! Change can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to creating a non-toxic living environment. Please reach out with any questions you may have along the way!