Soap Nut Laundry Detergent these nuts don't technically contain soap, so they won't leave build-up or residue—a major plus for some people. They wash, they clean, they take away odor, they take away some stains. It's just not a really vigorous wash. You might have to hit it with a stain stick or add some white vinegar as fabric softener.
Time: 1.25 Hours Shelf Life: 2 weeks Yield: 3.2 oz Dilution Rate: .5% 4. Soap Nut Liquid Laundry Soap 1 oz. (8) soap nuts 2 cups water 20 drops clean and fresh essential oil blend 1/2 cup vinegar
Instructions 1. Combine soap nuts and water in a pan. Bring them to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, and cover. Allow the soap nuts to simmer for 1 hour or until the soap nuts turn a light color. 2. After the soap nuts have finished simmering turn off the heat and allow them to cool. Straining out the soap nuts. 3. Stir in vinegar and essential oils with the sap nut-soaked water. 4. To use, store in a sealable container. Add 2-4 Tbsp. per load of laundry.
Natural Bleach Hydrogen Peroxide Add one cup of hydrogen peroxide (3%) straight into the bleach dispenser of your washer along with your regular detergent.
Natural Bleach Borax Add 1/2 cup borax to the washer for whites
Natural Bleach for Colors Vinegar Add 1 cup white vinegar to prevent color fading
Natural Dryer Sheets and Fabric Softener Wool balls
Laundry balls are an easy way to soften clothes, speed up drying times, decrease wrinkles, and reduce static cling all while being toxin free, more sustainable, and ridiculously more affordable then commercial fabric softeners and dryer sheets. Wool dryer balls are tightly woven balls of felted wool that go inside the drum of your dryer.
When you are ready to try them use four dryer balls per load, the balls bounce off the dryer drum and into the clothing and this helps the air in the dyer circulate easier, which subsequently prevents pockets of moisture and reduces drying times. The wool is an incredibly absorbent fabric, so it effectively soaks up moisture from the clothes and reduces drying times. The balls circulate in the dryer which agitate the clothes loosens the fibers and making your garments emerge feeling softer. They Reduce wrinkles by Increasing air circulation from the dryer balls means there's less friction between clothes, which results in less wrinkles and static.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do wool dryer balls last? Wool dryer balls are expected to last 1,000 or more loads if properly cared for
How do you know when your wool dryer balls are done? Wool dryer balls should be replaced when you notice the outer layer of felt has started to come apart.
Can you add fragrance to wool dryer balls?It is safe to add a few drops of essential oils to your wool dryer balls. Never add perfume or fragrance that has an alcohol base, which is a potential fire hazard.
How much are the dryer balls? $10-30 for six wool balls that last for up to a 1000 loads of laundry
Where can I order them? You can buy them at many locations but I always try to buy from smaller and more organic companies.
Natural Fabric Softener for Clothes Add 1 cup baking soda to the rinse cycle for clothes
Natural Fabric Softener for Towels Add 1/2 cup vinegar to the rinse cycle for towels
Linen Spray (this can also be used as an ironing spray) Mix: 3 oz. of unflavored vodka 12 drops lavender, peppermint, orange, or another essential oil you love 12 oz. organic hydrosol into a 16 ounce class spray bottle