Hey R&H peeps! This post is all about detoxing your laundry routine, but I’ll give you a spoiler alert right off the bat – my main reason for writing this post was to introduce you to these fabulous felted wool dryer balls, sold by a WAHM at a little online shop called Lovesmade.
Once I started talking about detoxing your laundry routine I got a little carried away with the many tips and tricks out there to help you! I think we all know by now that being succinct is not my spiritual gift. Ahem. Anyway – go check out the cute little store at Lovesmade, and don’t forget to enter to win your own felted wool dryer ball set for FREE at the bottom of this post!
Detox Your Laundry? Why Bother?
If you had told newly-married me (ten years ago) that there were nasty toxic chemicals in my Tide laundry detergent (cheap store-brand for frugality’s sake: some things never change) and Bounce dryer sheets, I would surely have rolled my eyes and written you off as a total hippie consiracy theorist, slightly out of touch with reality.
Harsh? Maybe. But that’s actually the vibe I often get from others now that I’m on the other side of the equation. I’m a huge fan of seeking to avoid nasty toxins lurking in most conventional household products. And I’m not just talking about draino and windshield washer fluid, I’m talking about everything from soap and shampoo to cleaners to the seemingly innocuous dryer sheets (now I use these instead and LOVE them).
It can be frustrating and overwhelming once you realize that the government actually does *not* regulate this stuff. There are a few banned substances, but other than that it’s pretty well a free-for-all. The terms are not regulated, either. “Natural”, “eco-friendly”, “green”, and “Non-toxic” are all bandied about on products that are often anything but those very things they claim.
And in case you’re wondering? It’s not just the hippie crunchy folks complaining, either. There are a lot of banned ingredients in other countries that are allowable in the U.S (and Canada). What do they recognize that our government won’t?
So when you hear me talking about the more expensive laundry detergent from the natural foods aisle in the grocery store, or a set of pure wool dryer balls (which, actually are more frugal in the long run), or going to the effort of googling that perfect natural DIY stain remover instead of throwing some heavy-duty chemical concoction (or bleach!) on it… maybe you can understand why.
Natural laundry care is especially important to me because it essentially effects us each and every day as we wear the clothes that were laundered without heavy fake scents, irritating chemicals, or unhealthy residues. I think that detoxing your laundry should actually be one of the very first steps you take in a journey to natural living.
OK, But Where Do I Start?
Non-Toxic Detergents
Switching over to a more natural laundry detergent was easy. We got the low-down on that whole deal when we first started cloth diapering (when our first baby was born more than five years ago). You can just grab one of the more natural options available for purchase (if you don’t know what kind to buy, research what brands are cloth diaper safe – those are usually the more natural ones), or you could try one of the many DIY detergent recipes out there on the web. This is the brand I use. More resources:
Choosing a Natural Laundry Detergent
Laundry Detergent Options
Homemade Laundry Detergent
5 Homemade Laundry Detergents
Detergent Alternatives
On the other side of the same coin, Adrienne from Whole New Mom shares why she doesn’t make her own laundry detergent, and what she uses instead. (Hint: it’s nuts. Hardy, har, har. I’m hilarious…) She also has a guest post on her site that shares a recipe for DIY baby laundry detergent that uses Baby Mild Dr. Bronner’s soap. Wellness Mama also wrote about her experience with soap nuts.
Stain Removal & Freshening
You can also detox your stain removal tools! There’s no need for questionable and dangerous ingredients. Emily has a simple recipe for stain remover that you can make ahead and store in a spray bottle to keep it easy. If you’re looking for some more stain removal suggestions, check out this post from Common Sense Homesteading. I’ve heard amazing things about this brand, and really want to try it!
Fighting Stains the Natural and Green Way
How to Get Your Laundry Smelling Fresh, Naturally
10+ Homemade, All-Natural Stain Removers (Including the Best Stain Remover EVER)
Dryer Balls
These are my favourite part. I told you above about how I first started by switching to a more natural laundry detergent. Then I just kind of quit using dryer sheets, knowing they were yucky. But I didn’t know what else to use. My mom got some reusable plastic dryer balls and I used those for a while, but I didn’t love the fact that I was heating plastic every time I used them (plastic is not the most natural invention ever…)
Felted Wool Dryer Balls: The Low-Down on Lovesmade
Then… I was contacted by a work-at-home mama who makes beautiful felted wool dryer balls and sells them online. By that time I had seen the tutorials floating around online. I had probably pinned a few to my pinterest boards.
But I seem to have this problem with pinterest whereby I pin things on my DIY boards and never actually DO them. (I know I’m not the only one – ‘fess up, peeps.)
So while I’m sure that I *could* make these myself (in fact, Shahbeila was kind enough to allow me to share the basic directions with you – see below), I am totally one of those people who, with 3 kids 5 and under and a busy household and side PT job, would sometimes rather just skip the DIY and PSETMIFM (Pay Someone Else to Make it For Me). Amen?! Besides, the cost of the wool roving would be comparable to the excellent prices of the ready-made dryer ball sets that Lovesmade sells. For my family, it’s totally a no-brainer! When these wear out (in like, five years…) I will gladly go back to Lovesmade to buy myself some more!
I’ve been using these dryer balls for about three months now, and I am super impressed. I mean, I knew the claims: they are supposed to reduce static cling, reduce drying time, and help leave laundry fluffier.
I wasn’t convinced that I’d actually see much drastic change. I already had cut down on static issues from switching to a more natural detergent. When I started using them, however, I very soon became a total convert, for 3 main reasons:
1. They really do cut down on static completely, even in the dry winter air! In fact, writing this made me realize I can’t remember the last time I took something out of the dryer with static on it!
2. They also help keep the load nice and fluffed up in the dryer, preventing those “damp spots” that I used to get when stuff would get tangled up.
3. I also saw a definite reduced drying time. I could tell because my dryer wasn’t fully drying a load in a regular time setting – I was forever needing to put it on for an extra 20 minutes – but now it’s always dry in time! A clear difference.
You can buy your own set at Lovesmade and get FREE shipping until the end of November 2013.
{To get your free shipping, use the code “decfreeship” to get it! I honestly can’t recommend these enough – and they’d make fabulous Christmas gifts, too!}
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Jamie
I tried to use the coupon code on their website and it says “promotion does not apply to this order”. HELP! I would looooove to buy some, but shipping costs just make it prohibitive.
Shahbeila
Sorry! Should be all set now!
Michelle
I make my own laundry detergent now and these dryer balls would be the PERFECT next step for me!
Becky Ensinger
Id love to win!
Valerie
I would like to stop using dryer sheets. I have already started using homemade laundry detergent which I am very happy with.
LeAnn
I have detoxed all of my laundry and made my own wool balls but I struggle with my husband shirts getting weird smell to them. No one else clothes smell like that and it really frustrates me. I have tried bought natural laundry detergents, homemade laundry detergents and now soap nuts nothing seems to work.
Cheryl Spofford
Great post! I’ve been working on detoxifying our home for a few years. I would love these!
Grace
My laundry is detoxed as well. I use those plastic or rubber spiky balls in the dryer. Are they better/worse/the same as felted wool dryer balls?
Adrienne @ Whole New Mom
My laundry is pretty non toxic but I would LOVE dryer balls :).
Heather Cardenas
Hello:) I make my own detergent (most of the time) and would really love to try these dryer balls because I have yet to find a substitute for fabric softener. Thank you!
Belle
Oh yes please!! Pick me!!! 😉 I’m desperate to green up my laundry routine. BTW- ! had 4 , 5 and under…. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Sadly, they are moving into the teenage years and the count down to them all leaving one after the other has begun. We added a toddler to the mix. 🙂
Adina Gepfrich
I love making my own laundry detergent. I have heard some negatives regarding the use of vinegar in the washer. But, I figure there are far worse chemicals in conventional detergents. Should I really worry about a little vinegar in my rinse cycle? I do need to come up with a good stain remover and will be working on that next.
Amanda
I want to make some laundry balls . . .
Amber Clinkard
Homemade laundry detergent! I’m scared!!
Katrina
I LOVE my dryer balls. I’ve had them for about 3 years now & they are still going strong!! But I really need to work on de-toxing our stain remover. My problem is that I don’t want to ‘test’ it, I just want it to work! Especially since Henry makes a mess all the time 🙂
Rachel @ reprezent98201
Detergent is definitely the next frontier for me…
Jolene
Oooh – wool dryer balls! I am pretty sure I NEED them 🙂
I’ve been making my own laundry soap (Dr Bronners based, of course) for a while. But I never knew what to do for drying (besides a clothes-line obviously), but that sucks in the winter. I need to go and check this out!
NeKisha Rowe
I would like to use less toxic detergent.
Tiffani B
I have been looking into getting/making wool dryer balls for months now! I have all the ingredients to make my own laundry detergent and that’s where I’m looking to detoxify next! Thank you for all of your research!
Olivia D Hamilton
The next area of my laundry that i would love to detoxify next would probably be with the detergent. I really want to try my hand at a green homemade detergent.
Sarah
I’ve recently started de-toxing my laundry but what happened is now my towels SMELL. Awful. If I don’t use them the day they get out of the laundry, they stink. I read that’s because there’s no chemicals masking the odour that’s been there all along. Ew. Anyway, I’ve tried essential oils with no real success. Any ideas?
Shahbeila
Sarah, Try “stripping” them like you have to do periodically with cloth diapers. Just google “stripping cloth diapers”. There are a few ways to do it.