'green' washing powder?

j.e.j.

At the moment I use the usual brands of washing powder (Persil/Arial/supermarket own), but for a while I've been thinking I would like to try a more environment-friendly one or one with fewer harsh chemicals.

I like Ecover products, generally, but their washing powder costs quite a bit and I'd be interested to find out whether it really is that much 'greener' than ordinary powders?

I've also found a recipe for a home-made laundry powder but so far haven't been brave enouh to try it in our machine:
4 cups Lux flakes
2 cups Borax
2 cups washing soda
Mix together, - use 2 tablespoons per wash.

Has anyone got any thoughts or advice about environment friendly washing powders? What do you use in your machine?

Rgds.

zeupater

j.e.j. wrote: »

At the moment I use the usual brands of washing powder (Persil/Arial/supermarket own), but for a while I've been thinking I would like to try a more environment-friendly one or one with fewer harsh chemicals.

I like Ecover products, generally, but their washing powder costs quite a bit and I'd be interested to find out whether it really is that much 'greener' than ordinary powders?

I've also found a recipe for a home-made laundry powder but so far haven't been brave enouh to try it in our machine:
4 cups Lux flakes
2 cups Borax
2 cups washing soda
Mix together, - use 2 tablespoons per wash.

Has anyone got any thoughts or advice about environment friendly washing powders? What do you use in your machine?

Rgds.

Hi

The greenest approach would be to ....

Use a modern low water usage A rated machine.
Ensure you only wash full loads.
Wash at low temperatures.
Don't unnecessarily use fabric conditioners
Dry the washing outside on a line.
Iron only what needs to be ironed

If you get this right you'll be doing much more for the environment than most and can then just think about your pocket when buying washing powders/liquids (buy what you prefer & if possible, only when on offer !).

HTH
Z

rogerblack

zeupater wrote: »

If you get this right you'll be doing much more for the environment than most and can then just think about your pocket when buying washing powders/liquids (buy what you prefer & if possible, only when on offer !).

And try using rather less washing powder than the manufacturer recommends.
I'm personally using around a fifth, and I find it still cleans my clothes quite adequately.

j.e.j.

Thanks for the replies. I tend to use less than the manufacturer recommends because I need to add a water softener (usually washing soda crystals) as we are in a hard water area.

Being in a flat with no garden/balcony unfortunately line-drying is not an option, but in the summer months I manage to dry stuff indoors.

I just wondered if there were any 'sciencey' people here who would know if these eco-friendly powders are as green as they appear to be?

Mayflower10cat

Not a science-y person, but I only buy the washing liquid and bio-washing powder by 'Planet Clean' sticked by Wilkinsons. Not tested on animals and Vegan Society approved - it works very well.

noncom_2

Soap Nuts are worth a try. They do clean things, but it has been claimed that they leave a "smell" on the clothes. Personally, I haven't noticed it.

mysk_girl

http://www.gaia-exchange.sunmaia.net/laundrygloop.htm

I use this recipe for home made laundry detergent. Takes me 20 minutes once a month or so. It works really well, and if really stained stuff I add a bit of Ecover bleach. I add teatree oil, smells lovely :-)

I have also used Ecoballs, they work well. Even used them on nasty nappies and they came clean, and then bleached in the sun.

Peter_Pan

I'm just about to try soapnuts, i believe you have to make sure you don't leave the washing in the machine too long once wash has finished as staining may occur from the shells. I have also recently tried an eco washball and was very impressed.

Debbie

SailorSam

Another vote for soapnuts;
Soapnuts - nature's detergent

little_busy_bee

Hi,

as well as switching to a 'green' washing powder i would suggest getting dolly washing balls, i put there in the drum of the washing machine and reduce the amount of washing powder for each wash by half.

google lakeland plastics dolly washer balls

although it costs to buy these it does not take long in terms of saved washing powder to get paid back and start saving, and of course less washing powder per wash means fewer chemicals going into the environment, which has to be a good thing.

wileycat

I switched from Persil to Ecover, but only buy it in 10kg bags at a time (lasts 11 months a bag). Cheapest I've found is Amazon Marketplace (its really expensive in small boxes in shops). Its powder, you just need to order a dosing device from Ecover.