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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Kathy M.
I am already working on detoxing my detergent. Next comes ditching the dryer sheets!
Carla Reed
Love these! Thanks for the diy instructions!
Christie Jones
I would love these. I made my own toothpaste and deodorant today. I’d make everything if we had more $, but alas I am a FT SAHM, still EBF and no car during the day. I have to beg my fiancé for natural ingredients. When I can I would like to switch to natural everything. Anywho, I’d love to win!!!
Katie
I recently started using soap nuts and love them! Next up: dryer balls!
Haley
My next area to get toxins out of my life are in the laundry room. I am excited to learn about these dryer balls and try them out in the near future!
Danielle
I am so excited about these dryer balls too. I am going to make my own laundry detergent today. I’m about to have a new baby and would love to systematically make our home more natural. Thanks for this post!
Alesia P.
I have detoxed all my laundry habits now! It took awhile to get used to but would never go back. I tried making my own dryer balls but they are coming apart and they didn’t felt like these ones did even though I used wool? Would love to win a set I do a lot of laundry being a family of 6!
Shahbeila
Hi Alesia, could be that the water and heat temps were not high enough on your machines to completely felt them wool. I’ve had customers who have told me they have had the same set for 8+ years without any change in the dryer balls other than pills on the surface. I am 2 years into the same set at this point. I follow the exact process above that Beth posted to make Lovesmade dryer balls 🙂 Free shipping through the end of November!
Diane F.
I use soap nuts, and I really like them. I would love to add the drier balls to my non-toxic laundry routine.
Christy
I made my own detergent for a while, but was having trouble with diaper stink. I’d like to get back to it!
Tracy T.
I don’t use anything in the dryer and use vinegar for bleach and fabric softener. I am interested in replacing my natural detergent with a something homemade.
Jamie
Are all dryer balls created equally? I’ve been using a set I got from BabySteals, for over a year and our static is TERRIBLE!! I’m far too stubborn to go back to dryer sheets so my family just has to deal. If I shake and shake our clothes before I fold them it is tolerable. But our fleeces are the worst! Can’t shake the static out of them. Any suggestions?? I use six balls. Do I need more, less? Help!
Alesia P.
I had the same problem, I found something that said to attach safety pins to a piece of fabric and toss in as well as the dryer balls …this helped a lot! Now the only problem I am finding is only synethic fabrics are not getting static free so I try to remember to hang dry those items.
Jamie
Thanks for the tip!! I’ll give it a try!
Shahbeila
Synthetic fabric like fleece will cause static in your whole load. The other cause of static is over drying. Dryer balls help reduce your drying time but unless you have a sensor, you’ll need to check during the cycle to see if your clothes are dry to avoid over drying.
Fleece dries quickly so your best bet is to line dry those items and avoid the extra static that way. Some dryer balls are made with yarn, some are made with wool scraps and then yarn, and some like those from Lovesmade are 100% wool roving. They are hand rolled and them felted. The more you use, the better your results. I use 9 in my dryer since with a large family and a super capacity washer and dryer, I wash large loads!
Jamie
I will check on whether or not I’m over drying my clothes. And thanks for the advice about synthetic fabric. I’m definitely going to line dry those things from now on. Thank you so much taking the time to advise me! I really appreciate it!
Amy B
I now make my own laundry detergent and use wool dryer balls. Love it! I can’t wait to try th natural stain removal tips. That is my one challenge area.
S. Elder
I’d love to try this!
Linnea
Like you, I have the best of intentions but never seem to get it all done. These would be great but I guess I’ll need to buy them instead of making them.
Meghan
This exact topic is next on my “holistic home” list – thanks for sharing!
Erin Arnold
I hope to get rid of all dryer sheets and just use wool balls
Kam
Love the idea of Dryer balls….can’t wait to try them!
Sonja Z
I’ve never used dryer balls before and I don’t like dryer sheets. I like Shaklee’s detergent and use vinegar for fabric softener. I can’t wait to try dryer balls just to cut down on static, with the added bonus of quicker drying time!
JC
Would love to try these!
Shannon
Beth, This is absolutely brilliant! I’m so glad the lady contact you…I was just wondering about how to do this effectively. I’ve tried a few methods that didn’t really work. But, this…fabulous! I also like the idea of a contest and comment section. Totally genius. Because, let’s face it, thousands of people visit a blog but how may really comment? I’ll be lurking, and commenting more! 🙂 Off to make my morning breakfast (ahem…) ok, actually, mostly just coffee with whatever snacky type food item I would never let my kids have for breakfast…. They will be up soon so I better hurry!